Easter 2024: Ideas and tips for your business to “flourish” this year
Spring has already made its presence felt and as Easter approaches, the shopping season is at its peak, with godparents and godmothers preparing feverishly for Easter gifts. It is also this time of year that exudes a travelling mood, and the first excursions of this year’s tourist season are slowly starting to come on schedule. So, like every year, despite the stress of increased prices, consumers are looking for outlets to shake off the routine of winter, and businesses, on their part, are getting ready to offer the best possible experience to their customers.
At Cardlink, we care about being always at your side and, recognizing the needs of today, we have prepared a useful guide with simple and fresh tips that you can easily follow and implement to ensure that you are well-prepared to make your business “flourish” in the run-up to this year’s Easter days.
1. First impression counts, but that’s not all it takes:
It’s essential to create the ultimate experience for your customers. According to the recent “Automation in Retail” report by Retail Innovation Hub by Cardlink a significant percentage of 74% of consumers are ready to stop choosing a brand after just three bad experiences. Therefore, first impressions count, but you have to maintain your positive image to remain the first choice. Ensure for your customers the convenience and speed of their payments, without queues and delays, a factor that “counts” in a market like Greece where consumers are increasingly using cards for their purchases.
So, make sure your Cardlink POS is upgraded to handle the increased traffic. It’s a valuable tool for you! After all, we take care of all the upgrades, you just need to ensure that your POS stays powered on, charged and connected to WiFi or Ethernet during the night hours to download the new software available. With an upgraded POS in your toolcase, you are able to offer flexible payments, giving consumers the ability to pay in any way they wish, whether by card or via mobile/smartwatch. Also, check if you need an additional POS in your toolbox, such as a wireless or mini POS, which will make transactions much easier, serving your customers even faster and more instantly.
2. Create a pleasant atmosphere:
The “extra touch” is everything and makes the difference!
“Dress up” your shop window and your whole store with Easter decorations and make an impression. From colorful eggs to beautiful flowers, add an Easter element to the space and create a beautiful atmosphere to welcome godparents, godmothers, those who are preparing the Easter table, those who are getting ready to travel, your customers. And don’t just limit yourself to decorations… Offer them small gifts: a candle, an Easter egg or an Easter card with wishes. Small, yet meaningful. They are enough to show them that you genuinely care about them. And one more thing: serve them with a smile. It’s contagious! After all, kindness and a positive attitude are always necessary, especially during the festive season.
3. Leverage the potential of e-commerce:
The consumer preference for e-commerce is well underway and one thing is for sure: many consumers will choose to shop from the comfort of their own home. If you have an e-shop, make sure it is equipped and fully upgraded to handle the increased traffic, carrying out the necessary security and performance checks. In fact, to enhance the experience of your e-shop visitors, making it even easier for them to shop this time of year, you can create a separate category with products and services specifically for the Easter season.
But, even if you don’t have an e-shop, you can still make online sales using Cardlink’s Payment Links, quickly and easily. Through the links, you can accept payments in any way, via email, messenger, or SMS, providing convenience to customers who prefer online shopping.
Last but not least: according to recent surveys, the majority of consumers who shop online put the cost of shipping high on the criteria for choosing a brand. Offer free shipping for your customers’ Easter shopping and prove to them once again that you care and listen to their real needs.
4. Offer attractive promotions:
Ahead of the holidays, it’s a good opportunity to create unique contests for customers, giving them an incentive to participate and win gifts or discounts. In addition, offer gifts or services for free with purchases over a certain amount. Offers of this type are an equally effective way to attract customers and encourage old ones to come back for more.
To implement customized promotions according to your needs, take advantage of the possibilities of Cardlink POS. Contact us to find the optimal solution that will significantly increase your sales!
Extra tip! Create the ultimate Easter offers, combining products and services that will further enhance the consumer experience and create the ultimate mix. For example, in the case of hotel businesses in anticipation of Easter getaways, a good idea is to offer free parking with room booking.
5. Use the social media power:
Social media is a key tool through which you can spread the word about your offers and products to your customers and promote them further, as users tend to search for such offers.
Also, develop engaging content on your social media or website, particularly tailored to the Easter theme, such as recipes, decoration ideas, or fun Easter trivia, depending on your business sector.
6. Don’t forget the “invisible” star:
The real stars of your business are your employees themselves, especially at times like Easter. Make sure they have the smoothest possible schedule on those days when there is extra workload.
Treat them even better by giving them the chance to enjoy gifts with a Cardlink gift-card to do their Easter shopping from the same store where they work. Gifts they weren’t expecting to receive, through incredible offers, generating the element of surprise for both your consumers and your workforce. In this way, you create delightful shopping experiences while rewarding the ” invisible ” stars, your employees, who do the impossible not only in such high seasons but every day.
