People are already starting their holiday shopping! While they might not be putting up decorations just yet, a survey by the National Retail Federation found that 17% of shoppers begin researching their holiday purchases before September, and 8% start buying things before autumn even begins. This trend continues steadily into September and then surges in October and November.
With shoppers planning ahead, your small business needs to get ready for the busy season. Now is the best time to prepare for success before the holiday rush starts. Many seasoned business owners begin this planning process as early as June or July. To ensure a successful holiday season, consider tackling these six tasks and coordinating with your team:
1. **Make a list and order supplies**: Look at your orders from last season to gauge how much you’ll need in terms of shipping supplies, packaging, restroom essentials, or branded gift cards. If this is your first holiday season, seek advice from your network. Ordering supplies early can help you avoid additional rush shipping charges and meet customer demands smoothly.
2. **Plan holiday staff schedules**: Decide on your holiday operating hours, whether you’ll stay open longer or plan additional closed days. Communicate these hours clearly with your staff and outline your expectations for the holiday season. Ask your team to submit any holiday time-off requests by a certain date so you can manage schedules effectively.
3. **Order or create extra inventory**: Get ready for holiday orders by making extra products or placing orders with your vendors. Keep in mind that suppliers will have their own holiday deadlines, so mark these on a visible calendar to ensure you don’t miss them.
4. **Update your website**: Make sure your business website is in top shape for the holiday rush. Check that the design is clean, the popular products or services are easy to find, and the e-commerce checkout process works without a hitch. If you’re usually the one maintaining the website, consider asking a staff member or trusted friend to review it. They might notice issues you’ve overlooked.
5. **Decorate for the holidays**: Even if you’re not a big fan of holiday festivities, some decoration can help your business stand out. Get your team involved by organizing a decorating session, complete with takeout food and music. This can transform your business quickly and make it more inviting. Don’t forget to dust and clean up to ensure everything looks its best.
6. **Develop and execute a marketing campaign**: Think about why customers should visit your small business this holiday season and build your marketing around that. Whether it’s your impressive selection, popular seasonal desserts, or exceptional customer service, highlight what makes your business unique.
Also, remember to plan for Small Business Saturday on November 25. Add your business to the Shop Small map and use the free promotional materials available to small businesses. Last year, more than 112 million customers shopped on this day dedicated to celebrating small businesses!
Feeling overwhelmed by the holiday season? Consider meeting with a SCORE mentor who can help guide you through the preparation process.
