With the festive season in full swing, you might be finding it a little bit more difficult to cope inside your retail store. Times can become more stressful as Christmas fast approaches, and the change in atmosphere is very clear as soon as December hits. Preparing yourself for the rush that’s about to come is a vital step that you must take in order to aid your staff in handling such a hectic period, but where do you start? Luckily there are a few tried and tested top tips that can help you get set in the right direction in no time at all! So, if you want to know more about how you can get your retail store ready for the Christmas rush, then read on to uncover some of the best steps that you can take to have the most fruitful festive season yet!
Update Your Equipment
Perhaps using old and worn equipment might be somewhat functional on an average weekday, however utilising tech of a very low standard will set you up for failure during the festive season. You simply will not be able to cope with the increasing amount of customers and the fast speeds at which your stock will fly off the shelves, and the added likelihood of errors or malfunctions will really boost the stress. Alternatively, making the move to update your equipment will make things a whole lot easier, and help to ensure that your staff can keep mistakes to a minimum and work as productively as possible through the Christmas rush. Start off with the basics, seeking a new and improved till point with a super-fast internet connection, and upgrade your payment system by making the most of the gadgets that Total Merchant Services offer. Security shoulder also be tighter during this period as those with negative intentions might take advantage of your staff’s distraction, so ensure that there are appropriate scanners placed in doorways and constant CCTV monitoring the shop floor.
Find Seasonal Staff
You can have the best equipment in the world, yet if you do not have enough staff to support you, you will not cope through the Christmas rush. Finding seasonal staff should be an option that you consider, as you can employ them on a temporary contract lasting through December, November and potentially the beginning of January. Having the extra help will really boost your sales, and aid in reducing the stress of the festive period. The more staff you have, the larger the amount of till points that can be in operation, along with more people available to help any customers with queries they might have. Post any job opportunities you have in the months prior to the big event so that you can have them trained and reading for the masses to arrive!
Preparing your retail store for the Christmas rush needn’t be a difficult task when you make the most of the top tips and tricks outlined above. Reduce your stress this festive season!
