In the retail franchise sector, the holiday period is a real rush – it’s busy, challenging and exhausting. Each year, Christmas and Black Friday sales around the world steadily grow, which is great news for retailers. But unfortunately the Christmas spirit doesn’t last all year long.
When the sparkle of the festive season loses its shine, here’s what you can do to keep your franchise business’s cash register ringing and to boost your retail sales.
Say thanks
Now would be a good time to thank your holiday shoppers and loyal customers with a special New Year discount or promotion. A successful franchise typically sees 80 percent of its business come from 20 percent of its customers, so give your existing customers a reason to come back in.
Change your message
Christmas is done and the New Year has started - it’s time to check your messaging. Consumer’s mindsets change regularly. Up until Christmas, they are shopping and spending freely. Come the New Year, they have a new approach. Now they are saving money, losing weight and getting fit. Your challenge is find a new way to connect to your customers or try pitching to a new audience.
Keep making noise
Even if you are suffering post-holiday blues, whatever you do, don’t go quiet. If you manage the marketing for your franchise business, keep it up and keep engaging with customers. After all your hard work in the lead-up to Christmas, it would be a shame to lose them now.
Social media
The average kiwi employee has just spent the holidays playing in the sun, sand and surf with friends and family. Now they’re back at their desk sifting through emails and looking for any excuse to delay the inevitable – getting back to the nine-to-five slog. Welcome, social media. A well-timed Facebook post, a tempting tweet or an attention-grabbing blog is just the distraction they are looking for. And if it includes a discount or freebie, all the better.
Have a sale
First there was the Christmas sale, then there was the Boxing Day sale, but why stop there? You could even try a new angle - in-store or online discounts, buy one get one free, discounts for bundles or markdowns on over-stocked items.
Get creative with your space
After Christmas is back in the box, take a look around with fresh eyes for opportunities attract customers. Eye-catching window displays and point-of-purchase displays are great options.
Hopefully your retail franchise business enjoyed a busy Black Friday, Christmas and New Year sales period, but now’s not the time to rest on your laurels. With a few simple strategies you can keep riding that "retail franchise sales" wave for a little longer - and the longer you ride it, the better your bottom line.
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