The Christmas holidays bring an increase in shoppers, both online and in brick-and-mortar stores. With that said, it’s a great time to promote yourself and your products, attract customers, and hopefully, create lasting relationships with them long after the holiday season is over.
So, what’s a business owner to do to attract more customers during the holidays? Check out the fun ideas below!
1. Give Away Free Things
Everyone loves receiving free things, and the season of giving is the perfect time to offer customers things that are not only useful but also equipped with the ability to spread the word about your brand.
For example, if you’re a liquor store, you might give promotional products like wine bottle openers or can cozies adorned with your store’s name. The gifts don’t have to be expensive, but they should be something your customers can use, which will help keep your brand in their minds and introduce it to their friends and loved ones.
2. Create a Great Window Display
Who doesn’t love a beautiful Christmas display during the holidays? You can take advantage of the increased foot traffic by creating a holiday display in your front window to catch the eye of passersby.
The beauty of a Christmas display is that you can incorporate your products into it if they work well with the theme. Whichever way you go, aim to include some sort of movement – like a toy train running on a circular track – to encourage people to stop and take a look. Consider adding an aroma diffuser with festive scents like gingerbread, cinnamon, or frankincense to accentuate the cozy Christmas vibes once they step inside your store.
3. Offer In-Store Promotions
During the holiday season, advertise in-store promotions that only last a short while. The limited supply and lower price will entice customers into your store. This is a great time to offer products and services that would make good Christmas gifts.
4. Use Email Marketing
Hopefully, you send out email newsletters periodically throughout the year to announce sales and keep customers apprised of all that’s going on with your business. During the holidays, you’ll want to ramp up your email marketing campaign with regular emails announcing upcoming sales and discounts they can’t afford to miss.
Include their first name in the subject line and throughout the email. This will let the recipient know that you value them personally, not just as another number on your sales spreadsheet. When a customer feels there’s a connection with you, they will be more likely to visit your store when they need something.
5. Throw a Christmas Event
Any event you throw during the holidays should relate to your products or services somehow. For example, if your store sells kitchenware, host a cooking class and take advantage of the increased traffic to sell cookware and other related products.
Another example: if you own a yoga studio, offer a free class and gift certificates, and encourage attendees to give them out and spread the word. The trick here is to think outside the box and come up with something creative and fun that will encourage consumers to take advantage of your generosity during the holidays.
The holiday season will be upon us before we know it. Business owners need to start thinking and preparing now to take full advantage of the increased shopping activity during this time. If you’re looking for new and inventive ways to get customers into your store during the holiday season, try one or all the suggestions above, and enjoy a lucrative, festive Christmas!