|
|
Your 12-Month Retail Calendar: How to Make the Most of Seasonal Sales All Year Long |
|
|
CHAPTER 4 5 MIN
|
|
Your 12-Month Retail Fiscal Calendar by Season: Non-Christmastime Holidays
APRIL THROUGH JUNE
April
In April, many retailers are having their own version of spring cleaning. Take action (from now through May) on slow-selling spring inventory or merchandise that will be out season by the time summer arrives.
Easter
Easter typically falls in the beginning of April (though sometimes it’s late March), and the holiday drove more than $18 billion in retail sales in 2017, per the NRF’s stats. Customers are looking for candy, food, gifts, Easter decor and crafting supplies. Some might also be searching for an Easter Sunday outfit.
Product bundles are also a great play here — think pre-made Easter baskets for the busy parent.
If you sell women’s apparel and accessories, this is the time of year to start building your assortment and inventory ownership of dresses and dressier items in anticipation for other seasonal occasions like the summer wedding season, Mother’s Day, and graduation season.
In April, many retailers are having their own version of spring cleaning. Take action (from now through May) on slow-selling spring inventory or merchandise that will be out season by the time summer arrives.
Easter
Easter typically falls in the beginning of April (though sometimes it’s late March), and the holiday drove more than $18 billion in retail sales in 2017, per the NRF’s stats. Customers are looking for candy, food, gifts, Easter decor and crafting supplies. Some might also be searching for an Easter Sunday outfit.
Product bundles are also a great play here — think pre-made Easter baskets for the busy parent.
If you sell women’s apparel and accessories, this is the time of year to start building your assortment and inventory ownership of dresses and dressier items in anticipation for other seasonal occasions like the summer wedding season, Mother’s Day, and graduation season.
May
Mother’s Day: May 12
Consumers spent an average of $186 each celebrating their mothers in 2017, according to the NRF. Those aged 35–44 spend the most, totaling in at almost $225. Understanding who spends how much can help you and your associates suggest products that fit the typical budget of an individual.
Mother’s Day: May 12
Consumers spent an average of $186 each celebrating their mothers in 2017, according to the NRF. Those aged 35–44 spend the most, totaling in at almost $225. Understanding who spends how much can help you and your associates suggest products that fit the typical budget of an individual.
Across the board, flowers and jewelry are the most popular gifts. Dinner and brunch are also popular gift items — a more experiential play, similar to what we’ve seen in Valentine’s Day trends. Again, a partnership with a local restaurant would be a great play here.
Explore creative tactics like promoting a bundle that includes a restaurant gift card and flowers from your shop, delivered to their table. It’s okay (in fact, encouraged) to think outside the box here.
Explore creative tactics like promoting a bundle that includes a restaurant gift card and flowers from your shop, delivered to their table. It’s okay (in fact, encouraged) to think outside the box here.
Memorial Day: Last Monday
Americans planned to spend $36 billion over Memorial Day weekend, per data from Vistar Media. And there’s great news for retailers: These shoppers are 7x more likely to visit and brick and mortar rather than shop online this weekend!
But shoppers aren’t just buying hot dogs and fireworks. This holiday leads the industry when it comes to low prices on appliances. Things like washers, dryers, refrigerators, freezers, blenders and ovens are some of the big-ticket items that savvy shoppers are looking to score for cheap.
Graduation
The graduation season spans from early May as colleges and universities let out, through June when high schools typically wrap up the school year. The average shopper will spend just over $100 each on graduation gifts every year, according to the NRF.
The most popular graduation gifts are straight cash, greeting cards, gift cards, clothing and electronics. Note how action cameras and wireless speakers are commonly on sale at this time — these (as well as other tech gadgets) would be great graduation gift suggestions.
Americans planned to spend $36 billion over Memorial Day weekend, per data from Vistar Media. And there’s great news for retailers: These shoppers are 7x more likely to visit and brick and mortar rather than shop online this weekend!
But shoppers aren’t just buying hot dogs and fireworks. This holiday leads the industry when it comes to low prices on appliances. Things like washers, dryers, refrigerators, freezers, blenders and ovens are some of the big-ticket items that savvy shoppers are looking to score for cheap.
Graduation
The graduation season spans from early May as colleges and universities let out, through June when high schools typically wrap up the school year. The average shopper will spend just over $100 each on graduation gifts every year, according to the NRF.
The most popular graduation gifts are straight cash, greeting cards, gift cards, clothing and electronics. Note how action cameras and wireless speakers are commonly on sale at this time — these (as well as other tech gadgets) would be great graduation gift suggestions.
June
Father’s Day: June 16
Consumers are spending slightly less on Dad than Mom, averaging at $133 per person. These shoppers aren’t buying jewelry or flowers; instead, they’re spending money on tools, gadgets and technology.
Smartwatches are a commonly discounted item in June, and they make a great suggestion for a gift for Dad. Most shoppers head to a department store to find these items, with online at a close second.
As a small- or medium-sized business, this is a great opportunity to get creative with how you want to serve your customer through a small giftable assortment, a few strategic additions to your merchandise, or a “gift as experience.”
Summer: June 21
Summer’s here, and that means more vacations and leisure time. What do people do during this season? Read books, go swimming, and spend time outside.
This is a great time to create a summer reading collection of your favorite books that you have in stock, or create a retail display highlighting your latest arrivals for summer.
Grab-and-go foods are also popular at this time, as people are looking for lighter, fresher options that they can take with them to the beach, park, kids’ games, or even a work lunch to enjoy out of the office.
Father’s Day: June 16
Consumers are spending slightly less on Dad than Mom, averaging at $133 per person. These shoppers aren’t buying jewelry or flowers; instead, they’re spending money on tools, gadgets and technology.
Smartwatches are a commonly discounted item in June, and they make a great suggestion for a gift for Dad. Most shoppers head to a department store to find these items, with online at a close second.
As a small- or medium-sized business, this is a great opportunity to get creative with how you want to serve your customer through a small giftable assortment, a few strategic additions to your merchandise, or a “gift as experience.”
Summer: June 21
Summer’s here, and that means more vacations and leisure time. What do people do during this season? Read books, go swimming, and spend time outside.
This is a great time to create a summer reading collection of your favorite books that you have in stock, or create a retail display highlighting your latest arrivals for summer.
Grab-and-go foods are also popular at this time, as people are looking for lighter, fresher options that they can take with them to the beach, park, kids’ games, or even a work lunch to enjoy out of the office.
NEXT CHAPTER 5 MIN
|
5. Your 12-Month Retail Fiscal Calendar by Season: Non-Christmastime Holidays (Jul-Oct)
|
|
BUILD RETAIL PROFIT IN SIMPLE, ACHIEVABLE STEPS
|
Vertical Divider
HI, I'M CHRIS GUILLOT!
I made my first sale when I was eight years old and started teaching retail business classes at 20. Now, 23 years after guiding my first clients, I'm here to help you build more profit.
|
Vertical Divider
LET'S STAY CONNECTED
|
LINKS
|
© THINKING THUMBPRINT LLC DBA MERCHANT METHOD