Tip #1: The Early Bird Gets The Worm
Valentine's Day lands on a Friday this week, which means you should have all your store signage, promotions and any special inventory items in place before the previous weekend!
A smart retailer will make Valentine's Day last. You need to have an offering ready for the well organized, early-birds right through to the panicked day-after, 'whoops, I forgot!' customers.
Also, make sure to take a good look at your sales from last year so you can be accurate with your stock order. You want to make sure you order just enough but not too much.
Tip #2: Don't Be a Stereotype
If you are trying to compete on price for a dozen roses or a box of chocolates with Walmart, you are destined to fail.
Think about what makes your store unique and create original, even bespoke gifts. Everyone loves to feel that their gift is unique and 'special' - tailor your offering to be distinctive and original.
What's more, if you compete on value instead of price, you can offer your cool, original gifts with a decent margin.
Tip #3: Get Social
You want to ramp up your promotional and marketing efforts in the weeks before Valentine's Day.
Get the word out early and as much as possible through Social Media and your Mailing List. This means an early email to all your customers telling them about your unique products and your great value. If you offer delivery, it is especially important to be in touch early.
DON'T FORGET TO POST YOUR ADS TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! WE ARE HAPPY TO HOST YOUR FACEBOOK ADS ON www.facebook.com/etowahchamber
Tip #4: Maximize Their Shopping Experience
Optimizing sales is about getting the small things right in your store, like having great store design with appealing and well placed promotional material. Make shopping simple with 'For Him' and 'For Her' sections. Offer a range of products at a range of price points. Offer an in-store present wrapping service. Anything that makes the customer experience unique and more enjoyable.
Customer Care is another great way to differentiate yourself from big retailers like Walmart - make sure to pull all your staff together before big events like Valentine's Day and train them up on all your special Valentine's gifts and promotions.
Tip #5: Love Thy Neighbor
Why not work with your local stores to support each other at Valentine's. Show your neighbors some love.
If you're a florist, why not offer to tie up with your local chocolate shop, stationery store or gift shop and give each other's customers 10% off with proof of purchase. You can even stock some of their products in your store and they could stock some of your goods too. Think about things from a customer's perspective and you'll see this makes a lot of sense.
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