The most important thing in regards to your Summer plan is to simply have one. Make sure you are organized and know what you will be doing to promote your business. The information below can be extremely beneficial this season, but it all depends on whether or not you prepare properly, and prepare yourself now rather than catch up later. 

– Spring Cleaning Applies to Every Season. Make your store presentable, inside and outside. It is key for businesses located in areas where tourism is high to have a store that welcomes travelers. Each Season has its theme, Fall is leaves changing, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. Winter focuses on the holidays, Santa, Snowmen, etc. Each season has its sales advantages so use them in your business. Make your store embody the idea of summer, sunshine, and the Fourth of July. Even if you are not located in a “tropical” climate, you can still continue to make your store presentable and clean for any customers coming by. 

– Publicize Your Business and Products Anyway You Can. Be on the lookout for community events. Summer is a busy time when many different festivals and social gatherings take place so as an owner do your best to promote your business at these places or sponsor it all together. You want to have an effect on everyone in the community and allow them to be the foot-soldiers who go out and promote your business with other people. You also want to be sure you publicize the right products. Offering deals on hot chocolate in July may not be the best way to increase foot traffic, but maybe a sale of sun-screen would. Also, offer deals or giveaways on goods that you otherwise won’t sell in the summer. Reduce waste and give the items that other people may not want a purpose in your business. 

– Hold Your Own Events in the Community. This is another opportunity for people in high-tourist areas. Most people are there to reach out and experience a new community and area, so add some value to that area. Provide opportunities for people to come out and get together. If you have space do it at your store that way people know where you are and where to come back and spend their vacation funds. With the Fourth of July right around the corner, it’s a good idea to get some plans in order so you can take advantage of one of the most celebrated holidays each year. 

– Give Yourself a Break. Summer break is a great time for people to go out and reset for a little while. Running your own business has its ups and downs, which takes a toll. Be sure to give yourself some time away from that side of life. If you surround your business with a strong support system and great staff, there should be no reason you can not experience a bit of vacation as well. Visit other places and see how others do business as well. It never hurts to add a new perspective to your business which allows flexibility in case of different trends. 

These are only a few ways you can increase opportunities this summer. It’s great to do these things and if it works it’s even better, but make sure you can track your success. Develop a way to make it all measurable. If you sell a lot of a certain product than make a record and adapt your strategy to keep those sales coming in. Revisiting what you have done well is key to a business’s success. You need to be able to identify what you did right and what you did wrong so your business can continue to get better and grow. 

If you enjoyed this article be sure to subscribe to our Newsletter and follow us on Social Media so you can stay up to date on business trends happening NOW. 

Sources: SmallBizTrends.com

Some are blessed, and embrace the sunrise, most people need some assistance for starting the day. In addition, people may need to refuel in the middle of the day. The obvious answer is coffee, but whether it’s cold or hot may not be so obvious. In 2017, sales of cold brew coffee jumped to 38.1 million, from the 8.1 million in sales from 2015. As these numbers continue to grow, sales are expected to reach new heights.

Offering cold brew coffee in your store, is a must have. The following are the top cold brew coffee brands your customers are expecting:

1. Grady’s Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate: This super smooth coffee will start your day off right with the taste of this New Orleans flavor. When in doubt, this is a good recommendation.
2. La Colombe Pure Black Cold Brew Coffee: This selection is steeped for 16 hours in stainless steel wine tanks, then pressed and filtered twice. Despite being on the sweeter side, the taste is unforgettable.
3. HeyDay Cold Brew Coffee: This delicious coffee is perfect for those with sensitive stomachs. It is easy to sip and goes along great with sweeteners.
4.  RISE Brewing Co. Original Black Nitro Cold Brew Coffee: Organic and free of harsh chemicals and additives… This brand may be one of a kind in what it’s bringing to consumers.
5. Lucky Jack Double Black Nitro Cold Brew Coffee: For those who need an extra kick, this is infused with extra espresso to deliver the double dose of caffeine. It will surely get the job done.

Your store already sells coffee. Why not take it to the next level and sell cold brew coffee? Contact YOUR distributor to learn how you can increase your sales and make it easy for the customer to start their morning off right.

Are you prepared for the Holidays? It’s never too late! Click here to learn what you can do to maximize revenue.

The holidays have already begun! Thanksgiving has passed, Hanukkah has started, and Christmas along with New Years is right around the corner.

Retails sales are expected to grow more than 5% from last year’s winter holiday season. To put that into perspective, retailers could make more than $1 trillion in holiday sales for 2018. That is an amazing amount that should not be taken lightly. 

Make a list and check it twice.  Here are our suggestions for the most important steps to take while preparing your c-store for the 2018 holiday season.

Inventory

With these expected sales, it is important to have enough inventory to meet the demand. Yet be wise and do your own research to see which products and services will need to be increased. The worst scenario would be having ordered too much supplies, rather than not enough. Regardless, you want to cater to your customer’s needs and make sure your shop is the difference. The biggest benefit in inventory may be the simple last minute supplies! This could be extra plates and napkins to the extra hot sauce needed for that special holiday party. 

Promotion

Now that you have inventory checked of your holiday list, it is time to get the word out there. Creating offers and deals would create buzz to attract even more customers than before. Depending on your kind of customer, be sure to promote in the best way that communicates to them! You know your customers better than anyone and can know what grabs their attention. 

Decor

Having supplies and reaching out to customers is only part of the holiday preparations. Getting into the holiday spirit does not have to put a dent into your wallet! Believe me, your customers will notice the little things. Putting up banners, lights, and even a small tree will create a difference. Not only will it boost moral for your employees, but it may encourage customers to spend more time in your store.

Customer Service

To really stand out from the competition, it is necessary to treat your customers like guests in your own home. Be sure to welcome everyone with a big smile, no matter how much they plan to spend. Encourage your employees to do the same! Greeting customers as soon as they step into your shop, will break the ice. Go the extra mile and see if you could make their shopping experience any better. After all, if the roles were in reverse, wouldn’t you want to be treated with holiday joy?  

Spend time with Loved Ones

This is the busiest time of the year. Shopping for some may be just as important as the holidays themselves. By making that list and checking it off, you won’t have to worry about meeting expectations. Don’t forget about the people that matter in your life. Customers come and go, but family and friends will always be there. Be sure to decide your time accordingly and make time for those significant in your life. Making sure you express your feelings to your loved ones is the purpose of these holidays. 

We here, at goEBT, hope everyone has had and continues to have an amazing time with friends and family this holiday season!

• Sources: Deloitte