Sep. 29-Oct. 5
CRM The gifts you give your best customers are your chance to show off your imagination and skills as a retailer. Engraved glasses customers can take home from a store event, embossed golf balls, toy jewelry or stickers for the kids, charm bracelets with unusual words … your goal should be something memorable.
EVENTS Set aside two evenings for a private client sale in late October. Which new pieces are likely to excite your best customers?
Oct. 6-12
SOCIAL MEDIA Go through your social media pages, especially Pinterest, and make sure they are up to date. The last thing a 2019 holiday season shopper wants to see is something from 2018. (Unless it’s vintage).
HALLOWEEN Trick or treat! If you don’t have plans for an event, look to see what the neighborhood merchant association is planning.
Oct. 13-19
COLLATERAL Run an inventory check of your non-merchandise to make sure you don’t run out of things like toilet paper, paper towels, bags, cleaning cloths and stationery.
FINANCING Still can’t offer consumer credit? Get that application done!
Oct. 20-26
INVENTORY Double-check that you’re well-stocked in the price-points you sell most. Consider how you can take advantage of the holiday season to move pieces that are showing their age.
SECURITY Alert your staff to be on the lookout for pickpockets, distraction gangs and other sneak thieves. Check security camera angles and function.
Oct. 27-Nov. 2
MERCHANDISE Steam and/or ultrasonic clean entire inventory and props. Larry Johnson recommends using Simple Green cleaner (diluted 50/50 with water) to lightly clean all leatherette displays. “Don’t rub too hard or you’ll remove the fabric topcoating,” says the author of The Complete Guide To Effective Jewelry Display. Once the cleaning is done, re-display to create interest and desire and accommodate new arrivals.
CLIENTELING Phone customers to set appointments to create wish lists or to show off new merchandise. From here on in, your daily schedule should be sales calls first, paperwork last.