The Holiday shopping season starts in just a few weeks, but retailers have a lot riding on this year’s consumer spending. Stores expect gift buyers to consider every purchase carefully, from $10 toys to $2,000 televisions, and to limit how many stores they visit. Most forecasters aren’t expecting shoppers to spend much more than they did during last year’s weak retail season, when sales rose only 0.4 percent after slumping 3.9 percent in 2008, according to the National Retail Federation’s calculations.
So with this kind of outlook on the Holiday shopping season how can you best position yourself to increase your chance of success? Here are some marketing keys to success for local businesses trying to not only survive but thrive this Holiday season:
- Make sure your creative message stands out! Do advertising that really differentiates your business from everyone else.
- Promote your key discount offers the most. In a price conscious economy highlighting your most competitive offers will be crucial this season.
- Plan strategically! Ask for deals from your vendors, help with advertising dollars or promotional items to lure shoppers in. Sales and special events have to be bigger and better than every before.
- Pick 2 to 3 media outlets you can afford to dominate this Holiday season. Avoid the mistake of spreading your budget out over too many advertising options. A more focused marketing approach will be more effective this Holiday season.
- Adopt a charity. If you business is not supporting a nonprofit charity already, then find one and promote it. In a flat economy people want to do business with those who are helping others.
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