Nov. 1-7
OFFICE Does your office’s phone system offer two-way texting capabilities? If not, investigate some options. It’s the way many people prefer to communicate these days.
CIVIC DUTY Vote, and be sure your employees have time to.
Nov. 8-14
MARKETING Beyond “use it or lose it” what are your flex-dollar themes and promotional targets this year? Whether you want customers to stock up on contact lenses, get new prescription eyewear, save on a vision correction procedure, or all of the above, now is the time to get your message out (on your social pages, in emails and on that texting phone system).
INVENTORY Fill holes in inventory with a focus on fast sellers. Begin weekly reviews of core products and set a replenishment plan.
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Nov. 15-21
ONLINE In the Internet Age, holiday season begins this week as consumers start visiting the websites of favorite retailers. Update your site with seasonal elements and gift ideas.
IN-STORE Start feeding holiday songs into the store lineup. At first, aim for every fourth or fifth song, and then over the next five weeks slowly increase the rotation.
Nov. 22-28
MANAGEMENT Start a store tradition to let people know the holiday season is here. It could be a special bow tie that you bring out once a year or a special team dinner.
STORE Thanksgiving is on Nov. 26. Hold a decorating party one night after work, or on a Monday (if you’re closed that day). Play music, order pizzas and have fun! If your merchandising is done in grays or whites, you can easily use red and green, two colors that are the simplest way to say “Christmas.” But, if they clash with your store, you will have to go to an alternative – perhaps blue and white or gold and silver.
MARKETING With only four weeks to go until Christmas, step up your e-mail bulletins to twice a week, scheduling campaigns for Thursdays or Fridays to stimulate purchases on the weekend, when conversion rates typically peak.
