• 21 October 2022
• Tiffany Carey

Your Guide to Preparing for a Successful Holiday Season

The holiday season is fast approaching, and for small businesses, this is a great time to attract new customers. Our nation’s nearly 33.2 million small businesses can expect a notable increase in sales for the holiday season. According to an American Express survey, reported holiday spending reached an estimated $23.3 billion in 2021. Each year provides one of the biggest opportunities for small businesses to earn sales and expand their client network.

Here are a few quick tips to help prepare for a successful holiday season.

Check Your Digital Presence

If you’re a brick-and-mortar business, one of the best ways to prepare for the holidays is to build an online store. According to a recent study, 65% of consumers who shifted from in-person shopping to e-commerce will continue shopping more online. Building an online presence may sound daunting, but don’t panic. Easy-to-use platforms like Shopify and Wix provide step-by-step instructions for launching an e-commerce site.

If you already have a website, take some time to review your digital assets. Confirm that all of your verbiage and graphics are still accurate, links are correct, and prices and inventory are updated. Consider adding pop-up or banner ads to your website announcing any special offers you’ll have for the season.

Create a Special Incentive for Shoppers

The holidays are a big deal for local shoppers because, in addition to shopping for loved ones and showing support to their community, consumers often reap the benefits of scoring truly unique gifts while receiving special offers for shopping at local small businesses. Make sure your offer is easy to understand and enticing for your customers. Also, confirm you can deliver what you’re promising.

Here are a few ideas:

• 15% off discount
• Buy one, get one free
• 10% off gift cards
• 20% off your next purchase for returning customers
• Free gift wrapping

Prepare Your Staff and Your Store

The holiday season is a powerful time for small business owners because it can expose your company to new shoppers. Store appearance and customer service will play a large role in whether or not new customers become repeat buyers.

Take some time to tidy up. Make sure your floors, windows, and shelves are clean. Next, check your register area, if you have one, for anything that’s not needed and clear it away. You’ll also want to double-check your inventory to ensure you’re organized for the big day.

Talk to your staff and get them excited about the holidays by incorporating a fun team incentive. Assess their strengths and position them where they’re most comfortable. Recognizing their strengths will make them more productive. For example, if you have someone who is the happiest greeter, place that person near the front door. Is one of your team members an expert gift wrapper? Make them the head elf at the wrapping station.

Reach Out to Surrounding Businesses

Connect with leaders in your community. They are likely already planning for a successful holiday season, so get involved. Learn how to partner with other businesses to promote your special offer(s) and increase traffic to your store. General holiday marketing will encourage consumers to support businesses, but you can also help other businesses simultaneously.

Check Out Print and Design Services at The UPS Store

Need some help with your holiday marketing materials? The UPS Store provides custom print and design services to promote your business. Items like event flyers, posters, save-the-date cards, and social media graphics are available.

As a business owner and consumer, the holidays are a time for you to show your local community that you care about its small businesses. It’s a great time to connect with customers and strengthen your business relationships. Start planning early so you can celebrate the season with new customers and a holiday-season business network for the coming year.