Winter is coming!
As the temperatures drop and customers head out to do their holiday shopping, retailers have the perfect opportunity to plan community-based events that can build brand recognition, bring people into your store, and offer people in the local area a fun activity.
Now’s the time to start planning, so here are 3 ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
- Black Friday! In addition to the busiest shopping day all year, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday also fall close to Black Friday, which gives you three chances at success.
Create incentives for people to get out and come into the store by offering in-store-only promotions. Advertise your discounts well on social media and invest in SEO to get the most bang for your marketing dollars!
- Host a Donuts with Santa Event! It’s the season for Santa and sweets! Partner with a local Santa, decorate an accent chair in your own stock of inventory and sell tickets to a Donuts with Santa event at your store.
Market that the proceeds from ticket sales will go to a local charity. Take it a step further and offer a professional photo for an additional cost!
- Host a Local Decorator or Offer to Wrap Gifts in Store. One way to get people in your door is to invite a local decorator to host a Christmas decorating showcase. It can be a multi-part event with segmented times.
Host a “Christmas tablescapes session” from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and show off some of your in-stock tables and chairs. Set up multiple room displays and style each scene around furniture and transform rooms of different styles.
Decorating not your cup of tea? Offer to host on-site gift wrapping while people shop. Charge an hourly rate or partner with a local charity and donate all the proceeds. Or, do it for free when shoppers spend over a certain amount.
‘Tis the season for shopping, and if you’re not ready for customers, you’re going to lose them to retailers who have planned ahead. Start now, and don’t forget to start thinking about fall — it will be here before we know it!
