During Christmastime, every retail business owner wants to
figure out how to boost Christmas sales. Now, it’s easy for big retail stores
to do this by slashing prices and using their huge advertising budgets to promote
their holiday sales. But as you know, their huge buying power enables them to
buy many products cheaper than a small retailer can. So how can you increase
your Christmas sales figures and boost your profits.
Buy Local Programs – Your community’s chamber of commerce
may have a marketing campaign designed to promote local businesses. If so, jump
onto this. Although many consumers still buy products based solely on price, a
growing number are picking and choosing more carefully to help support small businesses.
It’s sort of a vote against giant retailers.
Use Your Social Media Following – One of the great things
about social media is that you can develop personalized messages to your own
community. Don’t overload people with nonsense and be sure to avoid
controversial topics, but leverage your knowledge of local affairs to promote
yourself. A “ten percent off if the home team wins” sale might get you some
well deserved attention! (Or, if you have a restaurant, you might do half
priced appetizers.)
Charitable Giving – Unlike a big box store or chain
restaurants, you know the favorite local charities that you can assist and even
partner with. As the news media to cover an event being held in front of your
store to benefit local food bank or Salvation Army. You’ll be helping them and raising
awareness of your business.
Pictures with Santa – This can be a nearly no-cost
promotional opportunity if you have a jolly friend with a Santa suit hanging in
his closet. This works even for businesses that cater to pets, as everyone
loves to have a photo of their pooch on Santa’s lap.
Gift Wrapping – If you’re a good bargain shopper, you might
be able to find some inexpensive wrapping paper and provide a value-added
service to your customers. Or plan ahead for next year by scoring
after-Christmas deals on clearance-priced wrapping paper
So there you have five great ideas that can help boost your
Christmas sales. With some creativity, your holiday sales figures will see
significant improvement over what you’d see by simply going with the status
quo. Best wishes for a happy and prosperous holiday season!