How to Maximize Sales at Valentine's Day
How to Use Valentine's Day to Maximize Sales Around Valentine's Day Promotions
While niche retailers such as florists, jewelers and candy sellers are the traditional breadwinners for Valentine’s Day, it does not mean retailers outside these markets can’t benefit from the holiday. There are plenty of failsafe approaches to marketing for Valentine’s Day, but the holiday also offers numerous moneymaking possibilities for the inventive business owner. Here are a few suggestions to boost sales around Valentine’s Day.
Offer Specials to Bring People Into the Store
Be inventive; make sure they appeal to customers’ romantic tendencies. If your business isn’t necessarily geared toward Valentine’s Day, cross-market with a business or businesses that offers more Cupid-friendly products or services. Offer specials for those last-minute shoppers, and keep all of these specials running for the entire month of February.
Targeted Emails About Valentine's Day Specials
Begin early with email marketing for Valentine’s Day specials (the first week in January if possible). Be sure to gather an email list separated by gender, and email different promotions to each group. Send emails on a weekly basis (but no more than that) and remind customers of order deadlines so that purchases may arrive on time.
Targeted Valentine's Specials
If you own a restaurant, make use of the fact that Valentine’s Day is on Sunday in 2010. Offer specials for the Friday and Saturday beforehand—make a weekend of the holiday. Specials could include buy one entrée and get the second free, or half off all entrees on the menu. This could boost Valentine’s Day business by convincing people to dine out the days before Valentine’s Day.
Offer Inexpensive Gifts
Since Valentine’s Day follows closely behind Christmas and other winter holidays, some consumers may not be willing to purchase high-priced gifts for their valentine. Help these people become your customers by offering inexpensive gifts. Have chocolate in decorative boxes set out at point of sale for impulse buys.
Make use of your storefront to display your Valentine’s Day spirit (and specials). Decorate your place of business as a gentle reminder that Valentine’s Day is fast approaching.
Is Your Business More Online Than Brick-and-Mortar?
Offer recommendations for Valentine’s Day gifts. What are some of your top-selling items? What are good gifts for new couples? Which ones are geared more toward those in long-term relationships? Also recommend smaller up-sell items to enhance your customer’s Valentine’s Day purchase; personalizing gift purchases is a great way to do this. Offering gift-wrap, cards or engraving the product are great ways to add a personal touch to a gift purchased for a personal holiday.
If your wares are more abstract, such as insurance or financial advice, send your clientele Valentine’s Day cards and thank them for their continued business.
Keep Customer’s Budgets in Mind
When marketing products or services for Valentine's Day, keep customer’s budgets in mind and try to offer services other retailers do not. Flowers die and chocolates help to pack on the pounds, so practical gifts are perhaps the best for Valentine’s Day. This also allows you to get creative in gearing what you sell toward the Valentine’s Day season. Even if your business doesn’t deal in traditional Valentine’s Day items, the time of year is a great opportunity to bolster sales for your business.
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