It's time to make your list and check it twice. The holiday season is fast approaching, and despite the scorching September sun, business owners need to shift their focus to ensure a successful Christmas season. Whether you are in consumer B2B, B2C, or DTC (Direct to Consumer) businesses, now is the time to have your game plan in place. In this engaging and insightful article, we'll provide you with a detailed roadmap to ensure your business is well-prepared for the most wonderful time of the year.
Santa's Workshop: Preparing Your Inventory
If you're involved in manufacturing or work closely with co-manufacturers, your holiday items should have already passed quality assurance and have a scheduled arrival date prior to the end of September. Timeliness is key, as this ensures your products are ready to hit the market when the holiday shopping frenzy begins.
Deck the Halls: Brick and Mortar Preparations
For those with brick and mortar establishments, it's crucial to review routing guidelines and understand the cutoff dates for product acceptance into distribution centers. Ensuring that your products are on the shelves and ready for customers to grab is essential to capitalize on the holiday rush.
Checking It Twice on E-commerce Platforms
If you're an Amazon seller, keep a close eye on your inbox. Amazon usually sends notifications in mid-September to early October regarding your eligibility to sell during the holiday season. This assessment is based on your performance metrics, including on-time shipments, order cancellations, tracking details, and your seller rating. Ensure your performance is top-notch to secure your spot in the holiday shopping extravaganza.
The Jingle of Fulfillment: FBA and WFM
For those planning to use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) or Walmart Fulfillment (WFM), it's time to get those products palletized and loaded by the first week of October. Meeting this deadline ensures your products are in prime position for the free shipping offers that attract eager holiday shoppers.
Elves on Standby: Staffing and Training
Reach out to your trusted contact at Robert Half Staffing or your Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) partner to finalize staffing details. If you haven't already, this conversation should be underway. To ensure a smooth operation, dust off that old training material and update it as needed. Well-prepared and knowledgeable staff will be your greatest asset during the holiday rush.
Sleigh Ride Shipping: Negotiating Rates and Policies
If your business ships orders directly from your warehouse, it's essential to renegotiate your shipping rates with UPS and FedEx. Secure guaranteed shipping dates so that customers receive their orders in time for Christmas. Additionally, consider changing your return policy from 30 days to 60 days. This gives customers confidence that their early gift purchases can be safely returned if needed.
Dashing Through the Workload: Employee Well-being
The holiday season can be a marathon for your employees. Plan for some well-deserved time off beginning in October through mid-November. This breather will help your existing staff recharge because come November, they'll be in overdrive, fueled by caffeine, snacks, sodas, and holiday cheer.
Naughty or Nice Pricing: Managing Costs
Finally, understand your Cost of Goods (COGs) and adjust your pricing accordingly. Overpricing can deter customers and lead them to competitors, while underpricing can lead to overselling and profit losses. Pay close attention to decimal points, especially for e-commerce sales, to avoid costly pricing errors.
While the September heatwave might make it feel like Christmas is far off, smart businesses know that preparation is the key to a successful holiday season. By following these detailed steps and staying ahead of the curve, your business can sleigh the competition and make this Christmas your most profitable one yet.
Thanks for reading,
William Rochelle, but you can call me Bill
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