Get ready to tempt the Christmas shoppers
Yes, it’s coming up to that time of year again …
With Christmas cards and mince pies on sale and magazines full of ideas on gifts for loved ones, it won’t be long before shoppers hit the high streets and shopping malls in search of the perfect presents and trimmings for the festive season.
Despite the growth of internet shopping, there’s still nothing to beat the Christmassy buzz from getting out among the throng for a spot of retail therapy. However, as those of us who love to indulge in this behaviour, it can be truly exhausting.
And this is where the caterer comes in. What better to revive and restore those shoppers’ flagging feet than a sit down, a warming drink and a bite to eat?
Offer shoppers a festive themed drink to warm them up, ask about or flavoured syrups and recipe ideas
So how are you going to ensure that those Christmas shoppers choose your establishment to rest their weary bones? Well we reckon there are two main types of shopper: the ones who want frequent short stops and those who prefer to make a day of it by having either a substantial lunch part way through the day or meeting up with friends later for an early dinner.
The frequent sit down & snack customer is likely to want at least a mid-morning coffee break or an afternoon tea stop. Introduce typical Christmas themes to your hot drinks menu – by adding flavoured syrups to coffee or tart lemon or sweet orange peels, cinnamon and cloves to give tea a spicy flavour. Entice customers by offering set price linked promotions – such as coffee (or other hot beverage & mince pie (or other festive treat) for their shopping breaks. Tempt them in for a light lunch – perhaps a soup and sandwich or sandwich and cake offer – but make it especially Christmassy.
For the customer who’s likely to linger longer for lunch, why not promote a special Christmas shoppers’ lunch – at a fixed price for two or three courses – and include a glass of Prosecco or sparkling cordial?
And for those who are meeting up with friends for an early evening meal, why not offer an early bird menu or a fixed price meal for two diners?
For pre- Christmas menu inspiration, take a look at Total Foodservice Focus on Christmas 2019 brochure.
Whatever offers you decide upon for your business, make sure you’re letting prospective customers know. Social media is great for this, but remember, like Christmas present purchases, many decisions are made on impulse, so it’s important to display eye-catching point of sale material where shoppers are going to notice it: posters in your window, A-boards outside your establishment, or perhaps by handing out vouchers and coupons to passing shoppers.
Most consumers will look for snaps of your offering before making a decision, so make sure you share your dishes on Social Media early. Make sure you have photo's up in your windows to tempt customers to come through your doors.
