Retailers: Getting Ready for Back to School Shopping
Yes, it’s that time of year again. Summer camps are in full swing, the beaches are jammed on weekends, and the warm weather has most people spending as much time outside as possible. For most, July isn’t typically the time to start thinking about back to school shopping. However, if you are in the retail industry, it is exactly what you are (or at least should be) thinking about.
Here are some tips to help get you started:
Start early. Like now. Getting caught too late out of the gate can have you dealing with major issues when it comes time to beat the crowds. Make sure that you have considered all of the factors that contribute to a successful back to school shopping campaign, and have implemented them accordingly. Being well prepared can help you avoid any customer service pitfalls and keep customer satisfaction high.
Have the right people support. Some retailers choose to attempt to handle the crowds with their existing staff pool. Others go on a hiring spree just before the rush and bring on a temporary crew to handle any crushes that arise. Both of these can offer the support you need, but at what cost? Perhaps a smarter idea is to consider working with a company that can offer highly trained, experienced people support available on short notice, and only when you need it. That way, you don’t have to worry about scheduling issues or hiring and training a new group of employees only to have them work for a short period of time.
What about in-store merchandising? Do you plan to have any campaigns running during the back to school blitz? If not, think about taking advantage of the opportunities this time of year represents with a merchandising campaign to target the kids and their parents. Better yet, get in touch with a merchandising company that can handle it all for you, from development to set-up. This way you don’t have to worry about taking time or employees away from regular tasks, and can ensure that the job is done right, the first time.
Don’t get stuck dealing with the rush, during the rush. That will only cause stress and won’t do anything to boost sales.
Start preparing for back to school shopping now. Marketsupport has everything you need to ensure that your campaign goes off without a hitch. Contact us today by calling 1-877-421-5081.
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