Holiday Selling

In my Business Tips last month I talked about getting ready for Fall selling.

This month I want to get a little more specific.

You can make your store "The Gift Headquarters" for scrapbookers in your area by doing a few
things now.
You want to identify the kind of gift items you want to promote and create a " Gift Suggestions" display
as soon as you can. You want to plant the seed in your customers mind that your store is the place to buy
gifts for their scrapbooking friends.

First, look around your store for gift items that you currently have in stock. You probably have products in stock now that would make great gifts. You want to promote the sale of higher ticket items for gifts. Items like die cut machines from Sizzix and others, organizers, rolling carts etc.
I'd shoot for price points of $25 to $100 and up.
After doing that make a list of other products you want to include in your " Holiday Gift" section.
Talk to your Reps and get their ideas. Find out what vendors are offering specials or dating on  these
Holiday gift items.
You should have a small display up now and then right after Halloween put up your full display of gift suggestions in a prominent location in your store.
So you need to order now to get your holiday gift items in to put on display soon.
And don't forget to promote your Gift Certificates for the holidays.

Another subject that ties in to Holiday selling is the famous "Black Friday" weekend after Thanksgiving.
I know that many vendors have been offering " Black Friday " promotions in past years and you should check out what they're offering this year. Talk to your Reps about what's being offered by their vendors this year.
You may be aware that some independent retailers have started to promote the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend as " Small Business Saturday" The reason is that many consumers spend all day  on " Black Friday"shopping the malls and giant retailers and don't have time to get to their independent stores. So by promoting the Saturday after Thanksgiving as a day full of specials you can draw some customers your way.
I'd be ready for business on Black Friday but also on " Small Business Saturday"

I'd love to have some ideas on what "Business Tips" you'd like to hear about.
Just email me at sandman@mindspring.com  with your questions and I'll be happy to include it in  my
next business tips or respond personally to you.
Please let me hear from you.

Sandy