Holiday 2012 "Crunch Time"

Ready for This Season's Special Finale?

Ahh yes, the "Season Finale": that special time between December 26 and New Year's Day.

Savvy retailers know that the post-Christmas time will determine the overall outcome of their 2012 Holiday Season. Which will it be for your stores?

• A full "Ho! Ho! Ho!"
• Cut back? Just a "Ho! Ho!"
• Or - yikes! - just a "Ho Hum"

This is a unique period of time, and a tremendous opportunity. Many retailers find they net more from this time than any earlier stretch of 6 - 10 days!

Why? Because of the many opportunities to reduce expenses. Less advertising cost. Less staff. Fewer hours than the pre-Christmas stretch. And, the opportunity to clear out seasonal merchandise, generate cash, and move on to the New Year.

• Special merchandise buys, in readiness for those After-Christmas Price Hounds;
• Special customer service perks for those shoppers using Gift Certificates;
• Renewed emphasis on capturing customers' email addresses;
• Special incentives to bring the customers back. Liberally give out coupons - bag stuffers! - such as "15% off February Purchases".

The goal: NO seasonal goods left after the season is over. 
The clock is ticking. The customers will be there.

"It's not how you start; it's how you finish!" is especially true for retailers. To make the most of your 2012 Holiday Season, focus every effort on finishing strong.