October Musts

Now’s the time to deck your halls…or rather your front desk, stations and retail displays. While a festive environment can drive gift card and retail sales, there are a few things to consider before you break out the tinsel:

Your staff members and your clients most likely come from different faiths, so your decorations should be religious-neutral. Resist the temptation to overdecorate— your decorations simply need to lighten the spirit and remind clients you’re a retail destination.

A plastic gift card is far more impressive than a handwritten coupon. Contact one of the gift card providers and design a card that is reflective of your brand and your culture, and something that can be used year-round.

Create fun gift packages by combining retail items and giving them creative names. Make the shopping even easier, by pre-wrapping several of the gift sets. The attractively wrapped packages can become part of your decorations.

Appeal to the impulse shopper. Create small displays at the checkout counter with small, inexpensive items such as lipsticks, nail polishes, candles, hair accessories, and jewelry items.

Keep your staff in the spirit with a little Secret Santa gift exchange or a toast to the holidays. Take a moment to pen your appreciation in a personalized note. Sometimes the smallest of gestures mean the most to your staff.