5 Ways to Prepare for Small Business Saturday
Holiday shopping season might be right around the corner, but 2020 will continue to bring a whole new set of challenges for small businesses. Between tighter shutdown rules to in-person shopping restrictions, this year’s Black Friday weekend will likely look very different than what we’ve seen before.
This means that more than ever, Small Business Saturday could have a tremendous impact for small businesses across the country. According to American Express, Small Business Saturday 2019 hit a record high with an estimated $19.6 billion in reported spending. With so many businesses having temporarily closed earlier in the year, many business owners will be looking to Small Business Saturday to make up for that lost time.
How can you and your business prepare for November 28th? Read on to browse our top tips for small businesses this year.
1. Spread the word
The best way to ensure success (and sales) on Small Business Saturday is to make sure your customers know about it! Send an email, post on Facebook, pass out flyers, text your most loyal customers—anything that generates word of mouth can help drive traffic to your business. Customers also expect discounts around Black Friday, so make sure to clearly communicate the deals you’re offering and how much customers can save.
2. Adapt to the times
Some of your regular customers might already have adjusted to a socially-distanced shopping experience, but for any new, holiday-happy shoppers it’s important to make a strong first impression. Post clear signage explaining your social distancing policy, adjust your hours to create a stress-free shopping experience, and counterbalance long lines with complimentary water or coffee to keep customers happy while they wait.
3. Charge your devices
There’s nothing more frustrating than having a long line of customers waiting to pay, when suddenly your payment system stops working. Make sure your phone and your card reader are charged and ready to accept lots of transactions! A fully charged backup reader can also help keep peace of mind. (ps. If you have questions about how to keep your SumUp Card Reader charged, our live Support team would be happy to walk you through it!)
4. Partner up and promote
Your business isn’t the only one who’s adapting to 2020—so why not take advantage and find local partners to help increase awareness and traffic?
For example, if you’re a hairstylist, consider partnering with a local clothing retailer and offer a 2-for-1 cut and style discount at both locations. If you own a restaurant or cafe, offer a discount for customers who show a receipt from another local business. Or if you run a car wash, try partnering with a local food truck for on-the-go meal pickup.
Finally, don’t forget to check out your local Small Business Association and/or Chamber of Commerce to see if they’re offering any promotional deals for small businesses.
5. When in doubt, try gift cards
No matter how many products you offer, sometimes the choices can be overwhelming. That’s why gift cards can be a simple solution for your customers’ holiday shopping lists. Even better, virtual gift cards (like SumUp Gift Cards) can be purchased and sent remotely—meaning that even customers who are shopping from home can stock up on gifts while supporting your business.
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