With one of the busiest times of the year fast approaching, planning your Christmas stock early will definitely pay dividends. From getting your pick of the most popular seasonal stock, to simply spreading the yuletide spirit, there are numerous ways that getting ready early can give you the edge this Christmas.
Every year there are loads of new products released that shoppers are bound to get excited by. From festive pick n mix sweets and sweet gifts to stocking fillers, there’s always something new and exciting that will catch the eye in your store. Due to their popularity year after year, having a dedicated festive range in store is a great way to supplement your core sales.
Whilst Christmassy lines are hugely popular with customers, there is a specific window in which they really hit the mark. As soon as the spooks and scares of Halloween have been and gone, it’s all about Christmas. However, shoppers are increasingly likely to spread the costs and start their Christmas shopping even earlier. So the sooner you stock your shelves with festive lines, the more time they will have to sell through before the New Year arrives.
The most obvious example of this is the advent calendar. They are the first festive treat that most shoppers will look out for, and the peak window for these is in November and ends in the first few days of December. If you add them to your shelves too late, then you’ll most likely be left with them throughout the latter stages of the period and have to sell them at a discounted rate. The same theory can be applied to Christmas tree decorations, too. From Bonds Candy Canes to Riegelein Milk Chocolate Santas, there are plenty of options that any sweet lover will relish decorating with. As with advent calendars, many people will have their decorations up well in advance of the big day, so you’ve got to be ready with the stock they’re looking for!
It goes without saying that much of the most popular Christmas stock isn’t available throughout the year. So when it comes to the Christmas essentials like tins and tubs and festive novelty lines it’s best to stock up early before the supply runs out. The more variety you have on your shelves, the better you’ll be able to cater for your customers’ needs.
Everyone loves Christmas, and the stock and decorations in your store will be the first signs many customers see this year. Grouping together your seasonal stock will help it to make more of an impact, and it will also get customers thinking about the sweets and chocolates that they want for the festive period. Decking your aisles with a few decorations – no matter how simple – will help to set the tone and get shoppers excited, too! Keep in mind that putting your stock and decorations out won’t necessarily lead to an immediate swell of sales, but you’ll plant the seed and be the first stop when those customers are out shopping for their Christmas sweets.
Heading deeper into the festive period there will be a rush of panicked customers who have left their shopping until the last minute. Whilst you may well have planned ahead, the wave of last-minute shoppers could empty your shelves. Keeping an eye on stock levels throughout the period will help to keep your shelves full. Thinking ahead will be beneficial with any stock you need to top up, as there is only ever limited stock for festive lines.
As the preparations ramp up for the Christmas season, you’ll be able to find everything you need here at Hancocks. Our range of wholesale sweets and chocolate will help you and your customers have a very merry Christmas in your store. Whether you’re looking for seasonal impulse picks, selection boxes or anything else to sprinkle some sweet festivity across your store, we’ve got you covered both online and in your local cash and carry. If you have any queries about any of our festive stock, simply contact the Hancocks team and we will happily help you out.
