Prepare Your Business for the Holiday Shopping Season

We're quickly approaching the holiday season, and you know what that means. It's time to prepare your store for the influx of new and old customers searching for the perfect gifts for family and friends. Use these tips to set your business up for success during the busy shopping season.

Plan your inventory

After years of supply chain issues and changing customer demand, it can be challenging to predict how much inventory you'll need and when is the best time to order it. Give yourself the best chance to be on target by reviewing sales numbers from previous years and considering this year's consumer predictions.
Consider ordering your best-sellers early and focusing more on evergreen products as opposed to seasonal favorites. If you end up with a larger stock, moving the remaining evergreen product will be easier in the following months.

Create eye-catching displays

Enticing holiday decorations can lure new customers into your store, but it's important to prioritize energy savings while you make your displays. Outdated incandescent light strips waste energy and can even be dangerous if the cords are frayed. Swap those with new LED lights to maximize festive design and energy efficiency.

Smart lighting systems can make saving even easier. With timers and motion sensors, you can turn off or dim lights according to store hours and even customer traffic. You'll be thankful for automated displays that take one more thing off your plate during your busiest season.

Revamp your security

Drawing a crowd of interested customers is great for business, but that crowd could also contain potential thieves. Loss prevention is important, especially for small businesses, but a well-lit and secure business can make your customers feel safe, too.

Smart devices offer a perfect way to fully secure your business and keep tabs on every aspect of your physical space. Cameras, lights and sensors can keep your indoor space safe, while smart locks can give you peace of mind with the ability to lock remotely through a connected app.

Prioritize customer comfort

Correctly conditioning your indoor space is one of the toughest challenges during the holiday season. It's cold outside, so cranking up the thermostat seems like the appropriate choice. But a packed store full of customers in warm clothing enduring warm temperatures can result in frustrated patrons leaving your store early. Keeping customers comfortable is the best way to keep them in the store long enough to experience all you have to offer.

A smart thermostat can automatically adjust the temperature based on your routine hours or occupancy, keeping your business comfortable without taking your attention away from other duties. Consider how well-insulated your windows are and seal any gaps. A perfectly conditioned space is hardly perfect if your windows are drafty and your energy dollars are escaping through cracks.

With these measures, you'll be able to attract more customers and lower your energy costs this holiday season.