3 Ways To Maintain Strong Back-To-School Sales

Hopefully, over the past several weeks, you have been able to take advantage of the fact that back-to-school season was on the way. As most Canadian retailers do each and every year, during August, launching and advertising back-to-school sales is a big way to boost revenue. Today, of course, is the first day of school for kids all across Canada. And while many of their parents have already prepared them for the big day, there is still a great need for school-related purchases.

How can you maintain strong back-to-school sales? Here are three ways:

1. Keep your back-to-school promotions going!

Just because school has started, it doesn’t mean that you have to do away with your back-to-school sales prices. Kids are still going to be in need of clothes, books, bags and other supplies. To ensure that your sales don’t dip, be sure to keep your discounts going or better yet, launch a new and improved “Back In School” sale.

Nick Pizzolato of Wicked Local Media Solutions reveals that the National Retail Federation has found that a whopping 97 percent of all back-to-school customers are influenced by the promotions that businesses run. “Plus, over the last 10 years, back to school shopping has increased by 42%,” he writes, “The growth in sales and consumer interest in promotions are evidence that your business can take part in this growing market.”

2. Offer discounts on non-school-related goods and services.

If you don’t sell clothing or school supplies, it doesn’t mean that you can’t get in on the back-to-school action. Consider the fact that this time of year can be a stressful one for parents. Let’s suppose you own a restaurant. You can offer special discounts on meals for families this month. What about if you own a nail salon? You may wish to offer a special promotion on manicures for parents.

“Back to school isn’t just about clothes, supplies and electronics,” reminds Daniel DeMeo of CAN Capital in an article for The Huffington Post, “It also marks the season of new beginnings. Think about what products and services you can offer customers to help them feel confident for the upcoming year. If you own a hair salon, consider a late-summer special to get people looking their best. Oil change and repair shops can target young adults returning to college.”

3. Highlight the fact that you sell gift cards.

Gift cards are among the best back-to-school items you can purchase. And that’s because they offer students and their parents the ability to get just about anything they need. If you’re not yet selling gift cards, you’re missing out on a huge revenue stream this time of year. And while it should go without saying that your gift card sales will significantly pick up once the holiday season arrives (can you believe it’s actually on its way?), gift cards are proven big-sellers all year round!

For more information about how you can begin selling gift cards in your store, call Canadian POS Corporation at 1-877-748-2884 or email us at info@localhost.