Wow, it’s August already! It seems like only yesterday we were writing about how to manage inventory for the summer. In actuality, that article appeared on May 5th, a whole three months ago. In this business, time flies. As the dog days of summer are upon us, it isn’t too early to start taking a look at the future, and preparing your store for autumn.
The majority of your inventory isn’t likely to change. Customers will still want Coca-Cola, lottery tickets, and potato chips. However, the changing season always bring in a host of themed options. Once you see the stores start stocking Halloween costumes, it’s about time you followed suit.
Pumpkin and pumpkin spice flavors are always a popular selection as Halloween draws near. This often comes in the form of coffee, baked goods, and even seasonal beer offerings. Of course, partnering with a local bakery or brewery is always a good idea, if possible. Start the conversation now. September will be here before you know it.
Beyond the holiday-themed items, coffee in general is about to take an upswing in sales. Where hot coffee usually trends downward in the summer, the cold weather signals the unofficial start of coffee drinking weather. Prepare your coffee bar accordingly.
The famous candy holiday isn’t just filled with fun. It’s filled with profits. Spending on Halloween candy in the US hit nearly three BILLION dollars last year, and we should expect a repeat in a couple of months. While it may be a little early to start stocking candy corn (is it ever too early for candy corn?), the time is rapidly approaching.
According to a study released last year by the National Confectioners Association, the preferred Halloween candy is chocolate. Lots of chocolate! Candy corn comes in second though, so maybe it isn’t too early after all?
September is right around the corner, and while it’s not “technically” autumn yet, just ask any schoolkid (or parents and teachers for that matter), whether or not it’s still “summer” when the school bells start ringing.
The dreaded/celebrated “back to school” time is a great time to prepare some promotional offerings for teachers, parents, and schoolkids alike. A few ideas:
Halloween, back to school, cooler weather. There’s a lot going on once autumn rolls around. Make sure to check past sales reports and see what you did last year. What sold well? What promotions did you run? And keep an eye on the performance this year as well. Next autumn will be here before you know it!