Holiday Selling

Now that Halloween is over it's time to start preparing your store for the
important Holiday selling season.

You want your store to be " Holiday Gift Headquarters " for Scrapbookers in your area.

If you haven't started already, start decorating your store for the Holidays now.
Your customers will be in a more Gift buying mood if your store puts them in the Holiday spirit.

Back in August I talked about getting some Holiday Gift items on order so you'd be ready for the selling season. I hope you took that advice and are seeing your Holiday Gift merchandise arriving. If you haven't done that yet there's still time to get with your Rep and get some Gift merchandise on order to be in no later than December 1.

I also suggest looking at your current inventory for Gift suggestions. This is a time you'll be able to sell higher
ticket items like die cut machines and higher priced merchandise where you can make more profit .

Create a Gift section in a prominent  location upfront. Stock it with Gift suggestions .
The idea is to plant the seed in your customers mind that you are the place to buy gifts.
They may not buy right now, but you'll have a good chance of selling them closer to Christmas if you
show them your selection now.

A lot of stores offer Gift Certificates this time of year. Give it a try if you aren't already doing it.

Use your website and newsletter to promote your gift selections.

And don't forget to hold at least one class on Card making during the holidays.
You definitely want to diversify more into papercrafting in 2014.

In October I talked about "Small Business Saturday" the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Be sure to take advantage of this popular shopping concept for independent retailers.

Happy Holidays

Sandy