2020 Holiday Retailer Guide

The holidays are the most anticipated time of year when it comes to community and sharing love. It’s tradition and long standing relationships that make the season come to life, and though shopping and gathering may seem different right now, the spirit lives on.

Your consumers want to feel safe and valued (source), and this year that means beginning early to beat shipping delays and large crowds (source). Deals are going digital, and more sales traffic is moving to the internet.

Consumer Communication

• Make sure customers know their options to shop with you. Do you offer online sales or curbside pickup?
• Keep them posted on steps you’ve taken to ensure everyone’s health and safety in your store.
• Showcase featured products and services, such as gift guides, trends and “Top Ten” lists.
• Make sure your hours and services are up-to-date on your Facebook page, Google listing and website.

Customer Service

• Be their Personal Shopper: Providing one-on-one service via phone or e-mail can enhance your consumer’s experience and build stronger relationships. What better way to help shoppers who can’t make it to your store but want your expertise!
• Delegate the Details: Offer options for gifting, gift wrap, curated gift bundles or boxes, and curbside pickup. Design pre-made gift baskets available for curbside picup and promote them on social media!

Additional Tips

• Promote Gift Cards: If you offer gift cards, promote them now for future redemption. Gift cards provide you with a source of revenue when customers can’t actually shop in your store. This allows community members to support local businesses while increasing the odds that a customer will visit your store in the future. E-gift card programs reduce the risk of human contact, and orders over the phone are easy to fulfill by mail.
• Create a Digital Catalog: Post online as a flipbook so customers can see your latest product offerings, ideas and services. Issuu is a popular service for digitizing and hosting online catalogs, and their basic plan is free! Use our step-by-step guide to create a digital catalog today.
• Create an Ecommerce Website: One thing has become apparent in 2020 is that it is critical for small businesses to have an online presence. Consider developing an easy-to-use website if you don’t already have one. Here are some reputable ecommerce platforms that are cost-effective, easy to setup, require minimal upkeep, and currently offer free services. Already have an ecommerce website? Check out these 8 Website Tips from Google.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has temporarily changed how many of us conduct business and interact with customers. We know you’ve become inundated with information about this crisis, so we’d like to cut through the noise and share some practical resources to help you through this time. See our COVID-19 Resources page.

Merchandising

As the holidays quickly approach, now is the time to start planning ways to set up your store for a busy and successful holiday shopping season. Get creative and have fun making your retail space stand out from the rest! It’s when you really want your store to sparkle, look its absolute best, and give new customers an experience that will get them excited about coming back. Here are five tips for merchandising your store for the holidays from DEMDACO Visual Display Coordinator, Christine Scharf.

• Lighting: Thoughtful lighting is a great way to create an inviting and pleasant atmosphere for customers. Small adjustments, like using a colored light bulb can change the entire feel of a display—especially during the holidays—and spotlighting certain products you want to showcase will make them stand out from the rest. Try adjusting spotlights to shine on specific table displays, walls, or in front of store window displays. Another clever idea is to try adding small table lamps to nooks and crannies to add visual interest and ambiance.
• Themes: Having a consistent theme—or flow of themes—in decorations, lighting, colors and greenery, can reduce visual clutter and help the store feel more organized and intentional in its layout. A window or front-of-store display is a great way to establish a theme and entice shoppers inside to see more.
• Signage: When shoppers aren’t sure what gift to purchase, signage can help to provide ideas and direction which in turn, drives sales. Try merchandising an area with supporting signage that calls out “Gift Ideas for Dad,” or “Stocking Stuffers,” or whatever relates to your store. Also, if there are certain products you’ve invested heavily in, be sure to draw attention to them with signage that catches the eye and draws shoppers over to have a closer look.
• Photo Displays: Creating areas where shoppers are encouraged to take photos of themselves is an on-trend, interactive tactic that has proven successful in recent years. Try leaving a spot in a display where you suggest shoppers take photos, provide signage with a hashtag for social media posting that can also lead to free advertising and buzz via social media. Make the environment inviting and exciting.
• Get Inspired: Pinterest is a treasure trove of inspiration for holiday displays…try searching “visual display ideas” for lots of great boards. Instagram is another good resource for inspiration. Try searching #visualmerchandising and #windowdisplay for more than a million user-shared images.

Social Media

• Social Media Calendar: Social media editorial calendars are spreadsheets or apps used to schedule social posts in advance. They’re also used to plan when and which content will be shared, manage campaigns, and track deadlines. Use this downloadable Social Media Calendar to plan your social media posts throughout the holiday season to maintain a steady stream of content for your audience. Download Now
• Images for Social Media: Promote gift ideas, specials, and events on social media by using our toolkit of downloadable images.Download Now
• How to Start a Facebook Page for your Business: Creating a Facebook page for your business is one way to keep new and existing customers up-to-date on what’s going on at your store, and also makes you easier to find. Check out this video demonstrating how to start a Facebook page for your business.
  

Giving Bear™ is Going Big!

Our National TV Ad Campaign Begins this November

Our consumers love Giving Bear. His unique features and heartwarming sentiment makes him stand out above the rest, which is why he is our No. 1 Top Seller. For the young or young at heart, Giving Bear is a uniquely made, cuddly bear for those in need of a hug. This plush bear is pillow soft and lightly stuffed for whenever anyone needs a little comfort, a little safe, a little brave. Giving Bear comes with a keepsake bookmark that shares a heartfelt message of encouragement and has a special corduroy ear for listening.

Did you know the Giving Bear is part of our Giving Collection?
Build a complete Giving Collection display with all key formats.

Holiday Gift-Giving Trends

This year is unique in many ways, but the meaning of the season always remains the same: to bring us closer and allow time for gratitude and comfort.

Holiday Traditions

Traditions anchor us to every moment that eventually becomes a cherished memory. Baking parties, ornament hanging, gift wrapping and holiday dinners may need to be adjusted in size or arranged virtually, but carries on the meaning of the season. Making luminaries, putting up the nativity set, or layering tinsel on the tree makes every moment together feel magical.

Celebrate and Gather

When giving a gift, or simply serving appetizers at the holiday party, DEMDACO stoneware, bakeware and kitchen accessories are sure to make a statement. Unique, functional designs like The Kitchen Boa, double oven mitts or linen bowl covers not only present beautifully, but serve as an aid in the kitchen. Make your day simpler to make time for the ones you love.

Comfort and Uplift Friends and Family

Make their shopping list easy with personalized presents for everyone in their life. Family, friends, new babies and everyday heroes alike can be celebrated with a little surprise just for them. Gifts of remembrance, faith and everyday comfort send messages of support and understanding to even when life presents us with challenges.

Freshen up the Home

DEMDACO also offers a wide array of seasonal décor for the home. Recently ranked number one in Giftbeat Magazine for home décor (August 2020), transforming the living room into a winter wonderland is made simple. Be sure to check out our collections of soft to the touch loungewear and blankets to elevate the experience of being around loved ones during the holidays.