Key Takeaway:
Learn five ways to prep your retail store now for its best holiday sales season yet.
Wintry weather might be months away. But in the retail world, the holiday season is approaching faster than you think. If you want to make the most of the most profitable time of year, now’s the time to lay the groundwork. From tightening up your website to preparing your shelves (and your team), a little strategy now will save you stress later.
Here are five essential things every retail business owner should be doing right now to position yourself for a successful 2025 holiday season.
1. Audit and Organize Your Inventory
Before you start placing new orders, take a close look at what you’ve got on hand. What sold well last year? What sat on the shelves?
Clear out slow-moving items with end-of-summer promotions and start identifying your core holiday products. Make sure your stock is organized, your POS system is accurate, and your back room isn’t hiding any surprises. Organizing inventory now makes ordering more efficient and helps avoid costly restocks during peak season.
Holiday Prep Hack: Create a holiday-specific inventory category in your system now, so you can track trends and stock levels more clearly as the season kicks off.
2. Place Orders Early (and Strategically)
Tariffs, shipping delays, and supply chain unpredictability are still in play as the rest of 2025 plays out. According to eMarketer, many retailers are placing holiday orders earlier than ever to mitigate risk.
If you’re a small retailer, consider ordering in smaller, more frequent batches to reduce overstock. And don’t forget to build relationships with your vendors. Open communication can help you get the best terms or restock quickly when bestsellers fly off the shelves.
Holiday Prep Hack: Buying from local or regional makers can sometimes mean faster turnaround times and less dependency on long-haul freight delays.
“If you’re a small retailer, consider ordering in smaller, more frequent batches to reduce overstock during the holiday season.”
– Technology Therapy® Group
3. Update Your Website Now (Not in November)
Think of your website as your second storefront (or your only one, if you’re online-only). Now is the perfect time to polish it up for holiday traffic.
Check that all product descriptions are current and compelling. Swap in new photos where needed. Double-check your shipping policies and return windows. Clear shipping details and well-photographed products build trust and drive conversions during the holidays. You could also set up a holiday hub on your site now, so it’s ready to go when the festive season hits.
Holiday Prep Hack: Keep in mind that mobile traffic will spike during the holiday season. Test your site’s navigation and checkout experience on your phone—and make sure it’s fast, clear, and glitch-free.
“Keep in mind that mobile traffic will spike during the holiday season. Test your site’s navigation and checkout experience on your phone—and make sure it’s fast, clear, and glitch-free.”
– Technology Therapy® Group
4. Map Out Your Holiday Marketing Campaigns
Start building your content and email calendar now. Think: teaser announcements, early access sales, gift guides, shipping countdowns, and post-holiday promos.
And plan your Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers in advance. The earlier you plan, the easier it is to execute consistently across channels like social, email, SMS, and in-store signage. Don’t forget to map out your post-holiday promotions, while you’re at it.
Holiday Prep Hack: Create campaigns around themes or gift-giving moments: “Gifts Under $50,” “For the Host,” or “Locally Made Luxury”.
5. Prep Your Staff for the Rush
Seasonal success depends on your team. Start scheduling holiday training and hiring early if needed. Cross-train your employees to handle multiple roles, and make sure they’re up to speed on promotions, policies, and service expectations.
If you’re running an eCommerce operation, don’t forget about your fulfillment team. Clear processes and backup support are key to avoiding last-minute shipping scrambles.
Holiday Prep Hack: Consider role-playing customer service scenarios now, so your team feels confident handling tough situations later.
Wrapping Up:
Holiday Wins Start Early
Don’t wait until the last leaf falls to start your holiday prep. When you tackle your inventory, marketing, staffing, and website updates early, you’ll be ready to welcome more shoppers, deliver great experiences, and hit your end-of-year goals with confidence.
Is Your Website Holiday Ready?
Shoppers won’t wait around when they have a frustrating user experience on a website. Our interactive audit helps you uncover what’s working and what’s not, so you can make updates with confidence before the holiday season begins.
