Seasonal Trends and Planning Ahead

It is very important that your shop represents what people are buying in the current season. There are many to look out for and this guide will hopefully help you to know who, what, why and when. 

First of all, some trends/seasons/times of the year that can be beneficial to your business. 

For example, August. August is the end of the British summer. Hopefully you already have items for sale related to summer, such as disposable BBQ’s and sun lotion, so they should continue to sell. But, it is also prime festival season. Camping essentials should see an upturn in sales and especially if there is a music festival relatively near to your shop’s location. Not only that, but by the end of August and start of September, the Back to School push starts in earnest. 

"In order to make the most of such events and potential sales, a plan for upcoming events is the best way to start."

In order to make the most of such events and potential sales, a plan for upcoming events is the best way to start. Simply write down or print of the months of the year and write next to each one any events (e.g. Mother’s Day, Easter, Christmas etc) or seasonal happenings (e.g. Snow in January, sun in July etc) and when you next come to ordering goods, bear these in mind. Another thing of note is to plan well in advance or at least have some sort of idea which type or kind of products you would like order well before each date. 

Here is a very quick and brief run-down of events that happen each year so you can form a basis to your list. 

February - Valentine’s Day = Gift type goods e.g. small teddies, sweets etc. 
April - Mother’s Day = Small gifts suitable for Mums e.g. perfume gift sets, chocolate June - Summer is here, or at least very close = Holiday items e.g. lotion, sun glasses etc. 
Father’s Day - Small gifts suitable for Dads e.g. shower gift sets 
July - Summer well into the swing of things = BBQ e.g. disposable BBQ’s, fire-lighters etc. 
August - The end of summer is nigh but a month filled of music festivals = Camping e.g. tents, torches, sleeping bags etc. 
October - Halloween! Ideally order the stock at the end of September so you can have a whole month on sale. e.g. masks, sweets, costumes, toys etc. 
November - Christmas is a month away, all Christmas stock should be on sale e.g. wrapping paper, decorations, sweets, toys, the full works! 
December - Time for last minute Christmas shopping. 

Don’t forget, however, events that do not happen every year, but still provide a platform for sales. A great example would have been the 2012 London Olympics, with a whole host of Olympic-related products for sale. Other such opportunities exist within in sport such as: 

Football - A World Cup or Euro event can provide your business with the chance to sell football and England related goods. If England have qualified for an event, this is of course a big help! Products could include: Footballs, flags and anything with the St. George’s Flag printed on it!

For all your Pound Lines, Toys, Gardening, Christmas, Halloween and general discount store wholesale items, please visit the full range at www.discount-wholesale.co.uk. Discount Wholesale is part of the Poundworld Retail Group Ltd. This article can also be found on our Advice Centre.