By the time December rolls around, it’s likely that your appointment calendar is filling up and your phones are ringing non-stop. As you keep delivering a great experience throughout the busy season, it’s important to make sure you’re getting the most out of every week.

How can salons sell more gift cards during the holiday season?

The best way to sell more gift cards in December is to make them easy to buy and easy to talk about. Gift cards are one of the few ways salons can grow revenue without adding appointments and overwhelming an already busy team.

Start with a clear idea of how you want to promote them. That could be a simple holiday gifting message or a limited-time offer, as long as you pick one approach and stick with it. Then put it in front of people while they’re still thinking about gifts. With Phorest, clients can buy gift cards online through your salon’s website in a couple of clicks, so a post or ad leads straight to a purchase. Ads Manager, Phorest’s social media marketing tool lets you create Facebook and Instagram ads and target your ideal audiences based on existing booking data. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out Phorest’s busy season resources, including Canva templates to help your campaigns look polished.

Don’t forget the clients already in your salon. Display physical cards at the front desk and ask your team to mention them at checkout.

Gift cards are just one way to boost end-of-year revenue. Retail plays an equally valuable role.

How can salons increase their retail sales during the holidays?

Retail sales grow in December when products look like gifts and are easy to add at checkout. Your clients are already in the salon with gifting on their minds, so a little planning and thoughtful product placement goes a long way. Here are a few ways to turn your retail shelf into a holiday gift shop:

●     Wrap up some bundles. Group products that work well together into a ready-made gift, so clients skip the decision-making stress.

●    Give your products the spotlight. Set up a seasonal display at the front desk and keep it stocked and tidy as the month goes on.

●    Let your team play personal shopper. With PhorestGo, providers can send clients a link to a recommended product after their appointment, turning a good suggestion into a sale and a ready-made gift idea.

●    Finish with a flourish. Offer gift wrapping, so buying in the salon feels more premium than shopping elsewhere.

Once you have your gift cards and retail offers ready, the next step is to keep them working throughout the season.

How do you keep your holiday promotions working in December?

To keep your holiday promotions working, keep them visible. Put your offers in front of clients regularly, check each week’s results, and make tweaks instead of rebuilding your whole plan. In Phorest, you can run campaigns with email marketing, SMS, and Ads Manager, using all three to boost your reach.

●   Email campaigns let you build and schedule branded emails sent to the clients you choose, whether you’re promoting gift cards, a retail bundle, or a seasonal offer.

●   SMS is your quick nudge. Short texts sent through Phorest Chat land straight on clients’ phones, making it easy to remind them about an offer or fill an opening.

●  Ads Manager widens your audience. Create, run, and track social media ads so your promotions land in front of the right clients at the right time.

Even in the busiest week, cancellations happen, and the same tools can help you fill the gaps. Promote last-minute booking offers with Ads Manager, or when a cancellation opens a slot, email or text your waitlist to fill it before it goes to waste.

How do you keep holiday clients coming back in the new year?

To keep clients coming back, make each of them feel looked after while they’re in the salon, then follow up before the rush ends. The busy season brings new faces, including gift card recipients, and January is where your efforts pay off.

Let Phorest AI handle the behind-the-scenes admin, so your team can stay present with clients. Front Desk AI replies to messages in Phorest Chat around the clock, handling booking, rescheduling, and rebooking requests, and answering common questions. It hands over to your team whenever a conversation needs a human touch. Before each client sits down, Cheat Sheet AI gives your service provider a quick summary of their history, preferences, and upsell opportunities, so every visit feels worth coming back for.

Then, prepare your follow-up:

●    Schedule your January messages now. Set email campaigns and SMS so they go out on time, even when the team is stretched or taking a well-deserved break.

●    Capture details when a gift card is redeemed. Once a recipient books or checks out, they’re in your system, so send them a thank-you and an invitation to return.

The busy season is the best time to put your tools to work. With Phorest helping you promote your offers, support your team, and stay in touch with clients, you can make the most of every week and begin the new year with a head start.

Learn more about Phorest

https://www.phorest.com/us/demos/salon-today-tofu/