Updated November 7, 2024
Preparing for the holidays in retail means knowing and controlling your countdown to Christmas.
1. Hire—a lot. Employees are going to get sick. Vacations taken. You name it. When I was preparing for my conducting recital 30 years ago, my mentor said, "You're going to need 16 violins." I said, "I have plenty - 12." During the final performance of the work, I couldn't hear the violins over the other instruments. When I was in the midst of it not working, it was too late to change. All I could hear were his words, "You need 16."
You don't want to be in your store saying, "I should've hired more," as the line stretches out the door and customers leave their purchases on an end cap because they don't want to wait.
2. Re-wire. Part-time employees asking questions repeatedly because they weren't trained how to do some of the most basic skills like returns, exchanges, etc., can drive you to drink. Come up with the most common mistakes and train to it, such as, "Where's the POS receipt paper?" "What happens if the cc authorization goes down?" "If they are going to tow employees' cars at the mall - where can I park?"
Answer all of that now so you don't have to when your store is slammed.
3. Fire. Don't wait. If you hate the thought of working with an employee, get rid of them now. Why? Because their comfort levels are going to be pushed. Before the holidays, they could hide behind the counter, texting their friends. During the busy holiday season, many customers will approach the castle for help.
Not sure if you should fire them? Take this quiz of mine.
4. Re-hire. Did you lose some very good employees when they went back to college? Chances are good they are coming back home for the holidays so call them up and see if they could use the hours. It saves you training time and gives you peace of mind when you need it most.
5. Transpire to finish your own holiday shopping early. The last thing you want to do is go out in the mall or out on a break and try to get the must-have toy, widget, or gift card for your significant other, family member, or child. Many retail stores know this and hold events the second weekend in November to ease the demand.
6. Train, onboard, and reboard. New hires, seasonal employees, and existing employees must all be on the same page and work as a team.
In Sum
These are not all the things you need to pay attention to– but address them now, and you'll find you won't perspire so much during the holidays.