It might feel as though summer is barely over, but as you’ll well know, in retail you always need to be looking ahead one or two seasons. It’s well-known that the final three months of the year are retail’s Golden Quarter, so are you geared up and ready for festive shoppers?
Research shared by RetailWeek revealed that 50 per cent of shoppers in the UK intend to make purchases both online and in physical stores, which is great news if you have outlets on the high street or at retail parks.
What’s more, the survey found that only 20 per cent of consumers are set on spending less this festive season, with 40 per cent intending to keep their spend the same and a further 20 per cent planning to up how much they splash on Christmas.
So, what can you do to make sure you’re ready for the festive shopping crowds?
First, deal with any store maintenance you might have been putting off. You need shoppers to feel both welcome and safe in your store – and you want to make sure that they are attracted to come inside.
Second, consider your lighting needs. Do you have the right lighting system for the darker days? And have you considered how you can illuminate your window displays as the nights draw in to help pull more people into your store?
You may also want to consider redecorating to create a truly festive vibe in your stores. Making sure that the decor is fresh will give your premises a lift, even if you change very little else.
Finally, if any of your stores contain lifts or escalators, now is a good time of year to get them serviced. After all, you don’t want to inconvenience your customers, especially when there will be more people coming through your doors in the coming months than at any other time of year.