Preparing For Small Business Saturday 2023: 6 Essential Tips

Mark your calendar! Small Business Saturday 2023 is November 25. 

If you think it’s too early to start planning — think again! Small Business Saturday 2023 kicks off the busiest retail season of the year, and it’s a golden opportunity to attract new customers to your small business and generate a big boost for your sales. 

Let’s explore how you can make the most of this exciting event. 

What Is Small Business Saturday 2023?

Small Business Saturday began in 2010 when American Express created the event to give small businesses across the U.S. a boost. Since then, Small Business Saturday has grown, generating $17.9 billion in revenue for independent retailers! 

Small Business Saturday will be held on November 25 this year, and this day kicks off the entire holiday shopping season. 

To help you get inspired to take advantage of this retail extravaganza, we’ve got six tips for you to make the most of Small Business Saturday 2023.

1. Spread the Word

One key advantage of starting your Small Business Saturday 2023 prep early is that your customers can hear about it from you first! 

Sharing your passion for your small business and letting your customers know about the mission behind Small Business Saturday might inspire them to make a purchase — and even become loyal shoppers after the event. 

Leading up to November 25th, consider leveraging your shop’s social media presence. Posting more frequently could encourage your customers to save the date for Small Business Saturday and give your store a visit. 

When Small Business Saturday arrives, attention-grabbing signs and displays in your storefront are an effective way to bring foot traffic into your store and make more sales. Creating engaging displays with items on sale makes it exciting for your customers to explore your store and find something to love. 

2. Plan Strategic Promotions

The holiday shopping season is the best time to run your most enticing promotions. Your customers are looking to spend big money — but they’re also hoping to see big savings. 

One way to generate excitement and sales is to create time-sensitive deals. A one-day-only sale creates urgency, encouraging your customers to spend more to take advantage of the promotion. Hourly sales are another fun way to engage your customers and boost sales. 

However you decide to structure your promotions, it’s important to check that your store’s point of sale (POS) is equipped to handle the sales with ease. Your POS system should make it easy to set up discounts and apply deals seamlessly at checkout — ensuring that you and your customers can take full advantage of Small Business Saturday 2023. 

3. Focus on Your Loyal Customers

Your existing base of loyal customers provides a fantastic opportunity to boost sales during Small Business Saturday 2023. Your regulars are already invested in your small business’ story, mission, and products, and they’re likely to support you during this retail event. 

Small Business Saturday is a great time to focus on your store’s customer loyalty program and offer special perks to members. For example, you might advertise a free gift for loyalty program members with a purchase, or you could allow loyalty program members to earn double the rewards points for shopping at your store on Small Business Saturday. 

4. Keep Your Checkout Lines Moving

Small Business Saturday 2023 will likely be one of your busiest days of the year — which is why it’s critical to have a plan to keep your checkout lines short and your customers happy. 

Here are a few line-busting strategies to implement to create a pleasant shopping experience for your customers: 

• Make sure that your POS system accepts mobile and contactless payment options, which are faster and provide a more convenient checkout experience. 
• Consider adding an additional cash register to scale up your store and prepare for larger crowds. 
• Invest in a mobile POS system that you can use to break up crowded checkout lines. 

With these tools, you’ll be able to serve more customers in less time, creating an easy experience for your shoppers and your team. 

5. Level Up Your Inventory Management 

During the holiday shopping season, inventory management is critical. Your customers are looking for the perfect gifts — and they expect your store to be well-stocked to give them as many options as possible. 

As Small Business Saturday 2023 approaches, spend some time evaluating and upgrading your inventory management process. If you’re still relying on manual processes to track your inventory, it might be time to implement inventory management software to save you time and help you keep more accurate records. 

6. Don’t Forget About Online Shoppers

While increasing foot traffic to your store leading up to Small Business Saturday 2023 is important, e-commerce is just as essential for a successful holiday shopping season. 

If your small business doesn’t have an online store yet, now is the perfect time to launch one. E-commerce exposes your store to a whole new group of customers, and it makes it even more convenient for your loyal customers to explore your products and make purchases. 

For Small Business Saturday and the rest of the holiday shopping season, make sure to offer exciting promotions both online and in-store. 

Prep For Small Business Saturday 2023 With the Right POS System

Ready to start planning a successful Small Business Saturday? Let us help! 

Comcash is an all-in-one point of sale solution designed for small retailers just like you. Our retail software features all the tools you need to take charge of your inventory, provide top-notch customer service, and boost your sales this Small Business Saturday (and beyond!).

Reach out today to schedule your live demo and chat with one of our small business experts about how Comcash can help you transform your store.