7 tips for how coffee brands can boost retail sales this Christmas

So you’ve followed all of our strategies for getting customers through the door, and now that your café is buzzing, how to you boost your average transaction value?

Once the customers are inside it’s your job to offer added value to their experience. If they can find gifts for their loved ones whilst enjoying a coffee break; so much the better! If you have never considered boosting ATV by adding a retail area to your café; Christmas is certainly the best time to start! Brewed By Hand has thousand of retail-friendly products, or you can take a look at our Christmas gifting guide to select a few popular items that will fly off the shelves.

Even if the retail area of your café is well established, the following tips will help you to make the most of the seasonal peak.

1. Create thoughtful displays

Using your space wisely is the first rule of retail. Any additional space in a café can be turned into a retail display, whether it’s a single shelf or something much grander. Group items together with similar uses. Tell a story with your display with filter papers places next to drippers, grinders next to beans etc etc. Add clearly displayed price labels. This not only gives a clear indication that these beautiful things are for sale, but helps customers assess what is within their budget without having to ask.

2. Consider all budgets

Create a promotion or gift option for all budgets. For example; V60s come in plastic, glass, metal, ceramic……a plastic one would make a great stocking filler, while copper makes for a luxury gift and an electric coffee maker is a high-budget way to show your favourite coffee lover how much they mean to you...

3. Sell products online

In this era of technology when everything is digital, make sure to update your business according to society's requirements. Now, more than ever, people are opting to buy things online. So, to increase your selling start to sell your products online. Develop an online store as a way to add an extra income stream for your business.

4. Bundle your products

Allow your customers to envision how the items could make an excellent gift by bundling items together into a single purchase. Choose thing that are used together like coffee drippers and stands, grinders and machines. This way your transaction value goes up and someone is getting a ready-to-use gift – everybody wins!

If you roast your own beans, or have retail bags available, ALWAYS add a bag of coffee to a gift bundle as the ultimate self-promotion.

5. Design a gift box for coffee lovers

One-step beyond bundling items is to create a ready-made gift box or hamper, provide them at different price points and add in lifestyle products for the target audience like fine chocolate or coffee mugs.

When thoughtfully paired, unique gifts can be created that customers can’t resist.

6. Have a Sale

Does that seem obvious? It's important not to dismiss this idea out of hand because most retailers of every size have some kind of Christmas season sale–because they work.

If you opt for a sale, make it most effective by keeping these tips in mind:

• Every day, offer one big deal - If you have recognisable brand merchandise or specific items people are looking for, you can attract Christmas shoppers by offering discounts on one well-known item every day.
• Ensure your discount is worthwhile - Shoppers are used to being spoiled, make sure your promotion is attractive.

7. Post about your products on social media

Promote your café and retail products in any way you can. Consider your ideal customers' preferred marketing channels, such as social media, newspapers, radio, etc. Social media is by far the most effective and budget-friendly way to reach your audience and our image library can support you with assets and high-quality product images to show off those best-sellers.

Check our Christmas gifting guide for ideas this Christmas.

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