Retail Resilience: How U.S. Businesses Plan to Thrive this Holiday Season

The holiday season is approaching, and it is time for your business to finalize your plans. With retail sales up in September compared to 2022, companies have high hopes for this year's holiday season.

Here's how U.S. businesses can plan to keep their sales momentum going through the holiday shopping season.

Decorate for the Season

Running sales is always a great way to grab consumers' attention. However, a deal isn't always enough to convince shoppers to purchase. Sometimes, shoppers need to feel the holiday spirit before they are in a spending and gift-giving mood. This is when seasonal décor comes in handy.

Grab the garland, bright-colored ornaments, and even a few wreaths. If your store is in a shopping center, get your business neighbors involved in your holiday decorating project. Consumers are often more likely to stop at a shopping plaza all decked out for the holidays.

When you are decorating the building's exterior, consider using live greenery. Not only does it look better, but the smell of fresh evergreens is synonymous with the upcoming holidays. Not sure where to get affordable live wreaths and garlands? Your local nursery should have an extensive selection. You may even get a discount from the nursery as a fellow business owner.

Update Your Website for the Holidays

While consumers are expected to hit physical stores in droves during the holiday shopping rush, online retailers should also brace for an uptick in sales. Everyone knows someone who spends their work breaks doing some holiday shopping online. So, why not make your online store look as festive as a brick-and-mortar shop?

There are countless online tools like Canva and Pixir that you can use to add fun holiday touches to your online marketplace. Some ideas include falling snowflakes or tiny presents wrapped up with a bow. Add a Christmas tree to your web pages or a festive wreath. These are only a few ideas to help you get started.

Have the Right Sales

Consumers will indeed pay attention whenever they hear a retailer is having a sale. Post a few sale signs and shoppers will probably stream through your doors. This also applies to online retailers. An extensive sales banner can entice consumers to spend some time combing through your website.

Getting consumers in the doors or online is the first step. The next one is getting them to make a purchase. This means having the right sales. The right sale puts items that shoppers want to purchase at a discounted price.

So, what are shoppers hunting for this holiday season? Electronics are generally at the top of shoppers' lists, along with clothes, jewelry, and, of course, children's toys. With prices steadily rising due to inflation, holiday shoppers tend to search for the best deals.

Before starting your sale, do a little research. What items do you have that shoppers want? You also want to see what deals your competitors are offering. You may not be able to beat your competitors' sale prices, but you should be able to come close.

Bundle Hot-Ticket Items with Slow-Selling Products

Whether your business is a nursery or a clothing boutique, almost every business owner has something that isn't moving off the shelves. Whether it's seeds for a butterfly garden or a summery skirt, some items can seem almost impossible to sell.

The holiday season is a great time to remove excess inventory and items destined to remain on the shelves.

Consider creating a promotional event that features your must-have items with items you are having difficulty moving. This type of two-for-one sale is an effective way to bring consumers in and get rid of inventory. This way, you have a little less to do to prepare your store for the new year.

Getting rid of the excess inventory, even at a deeply discounted price, is also good news for your holiday season profit margin.

Get A Jumpstart On New Year's Resolutions

A quick web search will include a list of popular New Year's resolutions. Some may even be familiar to you. Almost everyone makes resolutions, and very few of us stick with it. You can combine these resolutions with your holiday marketing strategy.

Remember, the holiday shopping season doesn't stop on Christmas Eve. Shopping is typically at an all-time high through the New Year. Consumers have holiday money and gift cards to spend, so why not take advantage of the opportunity to make a few more sales?

You can include items like exercise and workout equipment in your holiday sales. A marketing idea for these items is to mention working off all of the fantastic holiday food. Plant nurseries can also get into the New Year's Resolution sales promotion. Advertising ideas include promoting gardening tools like shovels and trowels. Mention spring is coming up in a few months, and planting a garden is a great way to work off some stubborn holiday calories.

Nurseries can also mention the environmental benefits gardens can bring. New Year's resolutions dealing with sustainability and the environment are becoming more common.

Create a Group Sale

This business plan is a little more challenging for online retailers to implement, but it's relatively easy for retailers with shops nearby. Hosting holiday market days isn't a new idea, but it can be an effective way for businesses to thrive during the holiday season.

Consumers also love the idea of multiple businesses working together, especially when sales are involved. Depending on the weather, businesses can set up tables and racks outside or stay in the comfort of their stores.

To make the market day event a little more festive, don't forget to pipe in some holiday music. You may even want to bring a Santa Claus to encourage families to attend the sales event.

U.S. Businesses Are Planning on Thriving This Holiday Season

Across the United States, businesses are making plans for the holiday season. From sales and promotions to partnering with neighboring businesses, companies hope to see holiday profit margins reflect the giving spirit of the holidays.