Blog Entry
71 Days
Published Oct 14 at 2:08 pm
The boys and I were on our way home from eating the Tuesday night Mexican special and discussing Halloween costumes (the five year has chosen a fireman and his Mom dictated the two year old will be a Dalmatian, something about a theme). So there we are in the middle of October talking about Halloween when I see it. It could have been there a few days before but yesterday it became official. I was at the traffic light on Poplar Springs Drive about to turn left onto 52nd Street. It was high in the window of the large chain drug store, as blatant as the rain on my windshield. I looked twice to make sure it was correct and sure enough, I saw Christmas Trees and Garland, no doubt!
I expected Christmas to begin early this year. With the all important 4th quarter retail season already under way the merchandisers are out in full force encouraging us to loosen the pocket books and start spending. On the subject I am torn. The secular side of me says go for it but at the same time the spiritual side says, wait just a minute. Needless to say I am not going to stop the Madison Avenue marketing machine from attempting to cultivate profits. What I can do is limit my personal spending behavior and enjoy the fellowship of the season a little bit longer this year.
But that is enough on my personal plan for the next 71 days. This "shopping season" provides a great opportunity for retail related businesses to capitalize on getting to know their customer. In the tightness of our economy retailers are not just competing with similar stores but with all stores as customers like me reign in the spending. As the restaurants have discovered this year, diners are fewer so you better take good care of the ones you get! This season I expect to see a catering to customers like never before. Free gift wrap, warm cider, coffee, water or anything to get you in keep you in and help you spend.
As a business owner how will you reflect the realities of an economic downturn in keeping the doors open? What can you learn about your customers and how can you gather and use that information, not just in the Christmas shopping season but throughout next year. The fourth quarter is your best chance. The big boys are tracking customers and now the little guys that want to stay in business throughout next year will be joining them. I suppose the level of sophistication in small business retail has just gone up a notch or two and those that can't or choose not to keep up won't be around long enough to complain about it.
Here at the EMBDC we are attempting to support small businesses with an upcoming seminar entitled "How to Find Your Customers in the 21st Century" presented by my friend John Brandon from the Mississippi Development Authority. John has been supporting the efforts of small business since at least 1993 when I first met him. I look forward to working with him here in Meridian on the 29th. If you are interested, shoot me an email and I will get you a flyer. After all, we only have 71 days left until Christmas.
Send a comment!
Skip Scaggs, Manager of Business Development
sscaggs@embdc.org