As the summer sun begins to shine, most people naturally start feeling happier, as sunlight encourages the release of serotonin and endorphins. Business owners, however, aren’t always so chipper. Not only are they stuck indoors all summer long, but many businesses notice a decline in sales come summertime. If your business falls victim to the summertime blues, use these tips to boost both your sales and serotonin.
Connect with Current Customers
If wintertime is your busy season, then you likely made a variety of new connections during that time. Use summer as an opportunity to connect with these people and deepen your relationship. You can reach out to them via email or snail mail and provide them with enticing deals that will get them into your store.
Be Wise About Overhead Costs
Your goal shouldn’t simply be to make money. You need to focus on saving money too. There are a lot of simple ways to reduce overhead costs, so the decline in sales won’t be quite so cutting. In the summertime, there is less of a need for utilities. Open up your windows, turn off the lights, and blast the fans so you can save on AC. Also, consider seeking out new suppliers who can offer you better service and deals. With the right wholesale supplier by your side, you can beat the blues for good.
Take It Outside!
Your customers are outside. You should be too! Use summer as an opportunity to engage in a variety of outdoor activities. From farmer’s markets and festivals to races and parades, there are countless opportunities to set up local stands and increase your visibility. Not only will it result in more sales, but it will also offer your employees the opportunity to enjoy some time outdoors.
Start Planning for the Year Ahead
If you can’t make sales, make the best of your situation. Start planning for next summer and devise a plan to beat summertime blues permanently. Look into your business data to see if you can identify trends in your sales patterns. It may help you discover why sales decline so much in summer, so you can reverse that trend in future years. Ask yourself a few key questions.
- Is your marketing strategy mobile-optimized? In the summer, people spend less time on their laptops and TVs, instead devoting their attention to mobile devices. This means a mobile-optimized marketing strategy is crucial in the summer months.
- Are your products or services relevant in summer? If not, think of additional services you can add to encourage more summertime sales.
- Is your store convenient? In the summer, people make more time for outdoor activities and less time for errands, so they may be less likely to go out of their way to patronize your establishment.
- Are your prices competitive? Many stores offer sales in summer, and you need to keep your prices on par with competitors. Ensure you’re getting the best deals on your merchandise, so you can resell them for the lowest prices possible.
Summertime brings about excitement and anticipation for many. However, for small businesses that experience summer slow times, the approach of the season can fill them with dread. If your sales struggle during the summer, you need to thoroughly assess all aspects of your business to see what’s leading to declining profits. Perhaps you’re in need of a new wholesale retailer. With the right wholesale supplier, you’ll be able to offer higher quality products at more competitive prices, which will bring in more customers throughout the year. Contact us today to see how we can help restore your summertime sales.