Whether you’re a veteran retailer or a newbie, a checklist is the best blueprint for developing the best holiday plans, ever. This is an overview, totally flexible for additions or deletions to suit your needs.

Do remember that the best service you can provide any customer any time is your attention, and follow-up.

CHECKLIST:

Follow-up on Sales and Delivery Times N O W. You probably ordered the bulk of your inventory months ago, so now’s the time to double-check delivery times, unpack and set out delivered items, order more as necessary, and re-read last year’s sales for anything you missed. Get input from staff on trends they see.

Prepare the shop: decorate windows, rearrange shelves to showcase new items in every department, clear aisles for easy flow and add holiday décor as desired. Clean daily!

Adjust shop hours and appointment times: Opening earlier and/or later helps meet your customer needs. If possible, offer appointments to your most loyal of customers.

Hire extra help. Train, train, train.

Ask Veteran Staff for Input. Staff members serve customers on the phone, the website, via email, and in person. Ask them for feedback on requests, concerns, needs. Refresh holiday protocols such as schedule changes, welcoming new staff, and managing special events.

Refresh website and social platforms. Your website is a 24/7 opportunity for sales, so check it several times a day to stay on top of orders. Experts expect more than a 10% uptick in online sales which are already the primary way people shop for gifts. BOPIS, (buy online, pickup in-store) is a post-pandemic phenomenon some estimate increases sales 40%. It makes buying easier for the customer and that means MORE sales for you.

Refresh or write new copy, refresh or take new photographs or design digital art to showcase products. Refresh your website weekly, as possible. Delegate this to staff savvy enough to follow through impeccably.

Email still ROCKS. It’s personal, direct to the customer, and it WORKS. Plan a campaign, write the copy, schedule mailings, follow up.

Promote and Inform: Communication is essential to connect with customers, past and present. Use social media to let everyone know about holiday-centric merchandise, holiday hours, arrival of customer favorites.

Stage Invitation-Only Events like trunk shows, vendor demonstrations, artisanal tea tastings. Keep the audience small so you and your staff can focus on those who attend.

Cross Market. Look for ways to partner up with local shopkeepers. Suggest products you can put in each other’s shops to cross market. Look for opportunities to support others. Invite them to your events and ask to participate in theirs. Establishing solid community relationships creates a strong network of referrals.

Offer Gift Cards, as possible. This makes decision making simple for anyone. Always include your website, address, and telephone number on the card or envelope for the card.

Use Gift Bags vs Gift Wrapping. Folding tissue paper around a gift and putting it into a pretty bag saves times, looks great, and is easier than traditional gift wrapping. The choices are legion. If the budget is lean, go for inexpensive Kraft bags. Use colorful tissue paper and ribbons and ALWAYS make sure your website, phone, and address are on the bag or on a card stapled onto the bag.

Have fun! A smile really is contagious. Greet everyone with a smile. Offer sample teas as time and space allows. Talk to each customer as a potential friend. Ask what they love and if you can give them ideas for gifts for anyone on their list, especially those difficult to buy for. (Hint, gift cards.)

Track your season. Take notes of what worked best, what could be improved. Overstock in something? Start January with a Limited Sale on the item rather than a store-wide sale. Acknowledge all your staff with a gift or bonus or a great tea party.

You planned, you followed through, you achieved. Congratulate yourself on a job well done.