Looking good for the Holiday season

Let's be honest: the majority of your customers are starting to shop for their holiday gifts whether it be toys for the kids, clothes for the teenagers or the perfect dress for the office party or the family one. Just reading this can make your heart race. You can't help but wonder if after all their gift buying, if your customers will have enough disposable income to spend in your store. So, how do you catch their attention during this holiday season? Quite simply, be prepared and get them what they need!

This is the time of year when your customers not only feel the pressure of finding the best gifts but they also feel the pressure to look their best for all those holiday parties. Here are a couple of ways your store can help:

Book make-up appointments in store

If you don't have an esthetician on board, get in touch with one of the cosmetic brand vendors and they might be able to help. Start early and advertise free make-up sessions. Make sure that you also have a recommendation sheet. Often when they don't buy on the spot, you will see the father or the husband coming back looking for the items. Have a bag stuffer that will invite them to book an appointment.

Prepare an area with a chair and make-up selection

Create a binder with magazine pages where they show Christmas trends and gather the products that could create the look. Your customers will love that time where they can sit and relax. They will feel like someone cares for their needs and will want to make them look their best for their special "soiree." Be sure to have good make-up brushes and a natural cleanser to wipe your tools before the make-over. Reds, sparkles, concealer, lip gloss, and smokey eyes are all different trends that they will look for.

What do they want?

They want to look great and feel relaxed. Help them by creating a one stop-shop: "Feel and look great for the Holidays."

1) Determine a high traffic end cap. Use signage explaining the theme.

2) Top shelf: face care products. Key ingredients: Products made of coffee extract to reduce signs of fatigue; pomegranate and acai to reduce oxidation due to stress; argan and seabuckthorn to help with problem skin. Make sure to have some anti-pimple products in your face care section, as stress often causes the increase of these "little friends."

3) Second shelf: make-up kit with bright colours, sparkling eye shadows and cherry lip gloss.

4) Body products: cranberry shower gel with acai, pomegranate, vanilla scents and, of course, relaxing lavender. For the bath lovers, offer bath balms. They look cool and are offered in various different scents.

5) Candles and body perfume must be part of your "feel great" presentation, as they create the ambiance that will set the tone. From a fresh scent to deep sandalwood or sweet vanilla, every customer will find something right for their personality.

Beware of stress

While the holiday season is meant to be fun and filled with warm moments, it is also synonymous with increased stress. Be proactive and show your customers that you are ready to give them a little piece of heaven while they are running around finding the perfect gift. Be the place they recommend to their friends to get their look for the holiday season.

Last but not least, have fun! Be creative! While people are in line to pay, offer them a hand cream massage, or face care samples. Enjoy and share your successes with us! Please email me with your ideas, stories and photos. •