Black Friday is less than a month away, and that means retailers across the country are gearing up for the biggest shopping day of the year. The National Retail Federation projected a sales increase of between 3.6 and 4 percent from last year’s impressive $655.8 billion.
Here are a few simple ways to prepare your shop for the big day:
Prepare for deal hunters
There’s just something about the allure of Black Friday that motivates deal hunters to rise at the crack of dawn, grab their coffee travel mugs and hit the road in search of the best sales. Therefore, you should expect to see an influx of shoppers who have never been to your shop before.
Retail expert Bob Phibbs recommended setting up a bargain table near the front of your store to attract shoppers who are on the lookout for an incredible deal. Since these folks won’t be your regulars, you can afford to put clearance and returned items on the bargain table. These items might be familiar to your regular customers, but new shoppers may be delighted to see such low prices as they enter your establishment.
Develop visually appealing retail displays
Competition is fierce on Black Friday, so you’ll need to create a welcoming retail environment. You need displays that are irresistible to deal hunters. Before it’s too late, determine if you need any additional mannequins, hanging paper decorations or display lights to highlight sale items in your store windows.
Large, bold sale signs are another must-have item. Your sale prices can never be too obvious. Easily visible signage is a sure way to attract shoppers to the many deals within your shop.
Create an aggressive marketing plan
Creating Cyber Monday promotions is a great way to boost your Black Friday earnings.In the weeks leading up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the internet will get heavily crowded with retail brands contentiously fighting for marketing space. That means you can’t afford to leave any advertising channel untouched.
Shopify recommended using social media ads as well as creative banners and paid advertisements. If you do create digital ads for your brick-and-mortar store, make sure you target them to a local audience. Google AdWords and Facebook allow you to pursue niche audiences based on geographic location, age demographics and personal interests.
Consider customer safety
If you’ve marketed your store effectively, expect to see an influx of customers on Black Friday. Remember to adhere to all fire and safety codes and never exceed your store’s maximum occupancy limit.
Crowd control solutions such as belted stanchions can keep shoppers safe and help you regulate lines at the register. Placing staff members near the front doors is another way to ensure everyone stays safe at your store.
Remember to breathe
Preparing for Black Friday is a demanding task. Don’t forget to take time for yourself. Getting burnt out before the big day isn’t good for anyone. Delegate smaller tasks to your employees so you can focus on big picture projects. On the big day, make sure all of your employees get a break so they function at an optimal level.
For personalized advice on creating impressive Black Friday displays, give our experts a call today.
