Aden Ferguson
The holiday shopping season is a crucial period for small businesses. Despite the flurry of customer activity, many small business owners face lower sales immediately following the Christmas rush. Rather than stagnating, savvy entrepreneurs use the post-Christmas sales lull as an opportunity to reconnect with shoppers in creative ways. Below are strategies local small business owners recommend to boost visibility and drive foot traffic towards the end of December and into the new year.
Offer Steep Holiday Clearance Discounts
Like most retailers, mom-and-pop store owners are often left with excess inventory of seasonal gifts and holiday-themed products. Slash prices deeply on these items by hosting clearance sales featuring 50-75% off gift sets, decorations, and specialty food and beverages. Place eye-catching signs around high-traffic areas to invite passersby into your charming location to uncover impressive bargains. Sweetening the deal with free gift wrapping is sure to delight shoppers and quickly move older stock off the shelves.
Use Social Media to Promote Post-Holiday Specials
In the age of Instagram and TikTok, small businesses must effectively leverage social media to spur sales during slower periods. Recapture audience attention after Christmas by using platforms like Facebook and Instagram stories to advertise special limited-time-only promotions. Consider hosting contests or giveaways that encourage community engagement and word-of-mouth referrals. Announce flash sale events 24 hours in advance to keep fans anticipating exciting new deals.
Offer Customer Appreciation Perks and Gifts
Showing appreciation for the regular customers who have loyally supported your business builds goodwill that boosts repeat visits, especially during slower retail months. Print thank you cards along with a special coupon code for 10-20% off their next purchase. Have discounts loaded onto loyalty cards and ensure staff greets familiar faces by name. Bundle and market discounted gift packages catered towards male and female recipients for easy Valentine’s Day or early birthday shopping to delight your dearest devotees.
While smaller businesses inevitably face stiffer competition from massive retailers during the holiday shopping blitz, the advantage goes to small and local in January. Employing these creative tactics helps neighborhood establishments generate buzz and start the new year off strong. What unique promotional ideas will you implement to ramp up your post-Christmas presence?
