Tips for Holiday Retail Cheer

It’s a funny time in retail. The Holiday’s generally bring a surge of business as consumers splurge on gifts and other items to help brighten the season. However, this coming Holiday season feels very different. Nielsen tells us that consumers continue to make fewer trips to the store.

In this Progressive Grocer story, retailers are given 10 tips to help improve the retail shopping experience with some good old-fashioned cheer. It appears that strong sales incentives are required as part of the mix to drive the consumer toward a purchase. Almost one third of all purchases of CPG goods are driven by some kind of a deal. It is also reported that traffic at on-line coupon and reward sites are at an all time high. A few fairly common sense tactics can address the consumers need for an incentive and bring the spirit of the Holidays to the store. Here is that list in so many words:

1. More in-store tasting and cooking demos.
2. Aromatherapy.
3. Use local school bands or choirs to provide festive music.
4. Collect food bank donations.
5. Run holiday classic movie and TV shows on in-store media.
6. Offer holiday prize drawings for faithful customers.
7. Make donations to local charities. Encourage suppliers to do the same.
8. Holiday decorations.
9. Make sure your staff wears a smile and offers a greeting.
10. Keep the staff happy by allowing them to enjoy the Holidays as well.

It appears the mystery to consumer behavior in late 2009 and beyond is finding the right mix of tangible deals and incentives and mixing them with a store that provides a pleasant shopping environment. This savings/service cocktail can make a tasty cup of Holiday cheer.