Cash in on Holiday Fever

As the countdown to the holiday season continues, the ever-growing Christmas shopping list becomes forethought on many minds. When time is limited and you still have to get something for Nanna, three Aunties and your second cousin twice removed, it gets to the point where you just want to throw money at it to be done. And that's not even mentioning the madness of Boxing Day sales! Here are 6 hot tips to make the most of the busiest sales time of the year and ensure that people like me are throwing money in your direction.

1.  Get more staff.
There is nothing more frustrating than waiting in line. I'm sure I'm not the only person that has looked at the 5+ people deep line at the counter and decided to go somewhere else. I'm not talking too many so you can pay them to stand around and do nothing, but if you have customers waiting in queues, you need more staff.

2. Know your products.
Make sure you and your team know what you're talking about, or at the very minimum can direct enquiries to a more knowledgeable member. If I don't feel I'm getting a good service, I look elsewhere. I don't want to be sold a dud, by a dud. There's a great chance for additional sales here because I don't know what else I need with that sale and a well explained (but not pushy) sales pitch might make me buy that accompanying product.

3. Smell like success.
Studies have shown that a good smell can increase spending by up to 20%. Popular scents are lemon and orange which supposedly make a customer feel alert, refreshed and focused. Naturally, pine is a festive choice for Christmas. Along the same theme, flowers or fresh baking can do the trick.

4. Set the mood with slow music.
Like the effect of smell, slow music adds to the relaxing atmosphere that says "Hey. You there. Valued customer. Stay awhile." Fast, loud music has it's own energy and wants people to move their feet and dance out of your place of business.

5. Take the money, quickly.
Shoppers everywhere are in a hurry. If you can speed up transaction time by even a few seconds you will not only keep the customers happy as their wait time is shorter, but you can serve more over the same period of time. If you don't have PayWave or contactless EFTPOS terminals, get them. Immediately.

6. Paint the town red.
Spontaneous holiday sales can be encouraged by fostering a sense of urgency. Buy now. Limited stock. Selling fast. One day only. Red is definitely your colour of choice. Interestingly, yellow is often associated with attention and hunger which is why yellow and red are so frequently occurring at fast food restaurants.

So there you have it. 6 hot tips to boost your holiday period sales. Try them today and watch how these simple ideas have an immediate effect on your back pocket.