Last Minute Holiday Push

As we get closer to Christmas it is important for businesses to remember that there are A LOT of last minute Holiday Shoppers out there! Having a plan in place to capture these last minute sales can mean significant cash inflows as we wrap up the 4th quarter. So with a little more than a week left, what are some tips to entice shoppers to spend with your business?

Send Loyal Customers a Holiday Greeting

Have you not seen a loyal customer yet this month? Have you seem one several times? It never hurts to send your loyal customers a personal greeting through Social, email or even sms to thank them and wish them a happy holiday. Showing your appreciation can go a long way in creating customer loyalty. Plus, it puts your store front and center in their minds when they are doing their last-minute shopping. You can also create a unique promo code designed for your very best customers and add it to your personal message as a special holiday ‘gift’ just for them.

Create a Holiday Gift Guide

One of the best ways for brick-and-mortar shops to support last-minute customers is by offering gift guides which will help streamline their shopping experience. Help customers make gift decisions by letting them know which items are popular and which gifts tweens or dads like. One reason last minute shoppers wait so long is they are unsure of what to buy, helping them feel confident in their purchase will create reassurance in future purchases with your business.

Create Bundles or Gift Baskets

Last minute shoppers are often in a hurry. Make their shopping experience quick and easy with a gift basket. Creating a gift basket or assortment of items that complement one another and showcase your products offers the receiver of the gift a sample of several of your products/services leaving them to want more. For example, a local gym could create gift bags featuring branded water bottles, t-shirts, healthy snacks, and a certificate for a free training session. A salon might feature sample-sized products and a gift certificate for a facial.

Promote Gift Certificates

Gift cards are great items to showcase for indecisive customers and those looking for last-minute gifts for bosses and co-workers. Customers often want to shop local and promoting a gift card does just that! If you can, offer a decorative envelope or card holder to add value to the purchase.

FREE Gift Wrapping

Another way to entice those last-minute shoppers is to offer a free gift-wrapping promotion. Getting items fully wrapped means less hassle for the rushed shopper and saves them on wrapping costs.

Holiday Giveaway on Social Media

Holiday giveaways are great last-minute marketing tools for busy retailers. Consider creating a social media contest through which customers can win gift baskets or other holiday prizes. You can also invite customers to share their ugly sweater pictures, cookie recipes, or pictures of pets dressed up for the Holidays! The goal is to have fun, boost engagement, and, ideally, increase traffic to your website or store.

As always, solid customer service is key this time of year. Shoppers are stressed! Having a friendly, patient, and helpful staff can go a long way with last minute shoppers. Make sure to take care of your staff too. Finding small ways to say thank you or have fun at work like food in the break room or games for prizes!

Whatever promotional route you take remember that Emporia Main Street is here to help you. Please contact the office to let us know so we can get the word out