The holidays are a joyful time of year, but as we all know, they can also be stressful. Consumers have their plates full. Many are picking out gifts, decorating their homes, cooking holiday meals and adding holiday festivities to their already busy schedule. Shopping is central to much of their activities with the average consumer spending over $800 each holiday season on décor, gifts and food. This puts Sales Advisors in a prime position to show shoppers how the items they are demonstrating in stores can help make the holidays a little easier to manage.
Inspiring gift ideas can be easily done while sampling. Gift shopping is often top of mind for consumers this time of year. In fact, the majority of their holiday budget—nearly $595 each—goes toward presents. But they may not always be on the lookout for gifts as they make their weekly supermarket trips or run household errands. Sales Advisors can help by pointing out how the items they are demonstrating can make great gifts. For example, cookies, candy and chocolate can make easy gifts for a coworker or fun items to add to a child’s stocking. Crackers, cheese and wine, or breakfast pastries and jams could be paired together as a gift for a party hostess or neighbor.
Sales Advisors can also use items they are demonstrating to give shoppers ideas for easing holiday meal prep. For example, using ready-made side dishes from the deli, and rolls or desserts from the bakery can help cut down on the number of dishes shoppers have to make from scratch. For the dishes shoppers do choose to make on their own, Sales Advisors can suggest time-saving shortcuts, such as frozen vegetables (instead of fresh), canned soups (instead of homemade sauces) and seasoning packets (instead of individual herbs and spices).
Spread Holiday Cheer!
With all the hustle and bustle in stores this month, remember to greet shoppers with an inviting smile and warm hello. Your friendly gestures will serve as a reminder of the reason for the season and may turn harried samplers into happy customers.