The Countdown to Christmas is On! But, Have You Thought About Your Post-Holiday Sales Strategy?

After the Christmas shopping rush, retailers are exhausted, and they often assume customers’ budgets are spent. What can be done to keep driving sales through the end of the year and into January? Here are some ideas to help your retail business drive post-holiday sales.

Keep Promoting. Many brands make the mistake of ending promotions after December 25th. While customers might not be looking for gifts anymore, they’re armed with gift cards and holiday cash to spend. By continuing to promote your products, you can entice customers who are cashing in on their gifts!

Forgetting Something? Following up with customers who abandoned their carts has been proven effective for making sales. Many customers use their online shopping carts as a wishlist or to compare products. By giving that nudge to take another look, you’re reminding them of what they forgot, and while they’re on your site, they’re likely to look around to see what’s new or on sale.

Make January Special. January is notorious for being a slow shopping month- boring for customers after all the holiday promotions and a sales slump for retailers. Why not give your audience something to get excited about?

It’s natural for retail stores to run a clearance after the holidays, but promoting January-specific deals can increase traffic and sales. Go through your inventory to find products that didn’t sell particularly well over the holidays and then offer a deep discount! Also, consider offering coupons or specials that are only valid through the first few weeks of the new year to bring in more customers.

Another way to make January exciting is to roll out new products or collections. This gives gift card holders another reason to cash in after the holidays!

Follow-up with Your Customers. The holiday shopping season brings in tons of brand new customers. Why wait to engage with them? You can thank new customers for their business through targeted email campaigns offering them a special discount or deal just for them.

You might consider sending follow-up promotions for those who purchase certain products, giving them tips on using their new merchandise and add-ons that will enhance their experience. This can also be coupled with discounts or special offers to sweeten the deal.

Leverage Social Media. In the post-holiday slump, social media can be an awesome tool for creating buzz around your brand. Offer a giveaway or contest to engage with customers and drive traffic to your accounts. Exclusive discounts are another great way to reward loyal customers who follow you on social media.

The after-Christmas sales slump doesn’t have to be so slow! Use these techniques and think outside the box to keep customers interested and boost sales. The more you can stand out and engage with your customers, the better results you’ll see during this and any selling season!