Father's Day remains a key event on the retail calendar for retailers. What we are seeing now is that consumer behaviour is shifting. The latest 2025 analysis confirms the trend we have observed for some time, that while fewer people are buying gifts, those who do are spending significantly more. For retailers, success now depends on targeting premium spenders who value quality and value, rather than high-volume sales, to ensure a profitable Father's Day. What we are looking at now is 4.7 million shoppers.
Recent data shows changes in popular gift categories. The leading gift categories are now alcohol/food (17%), clothing/shoes (14%), and grooming items (7%). I noticed our advice in 2024 to stock male grooming products is now strongly supported by this new data.
To identify and cater to these high-value shoppers effectively, your most potent tool is already at your disposal: your POS system.
Use your POS Data
Your POS system is more than a cash register; with us, it's an information hub. It maintains a precise record of sales from previous years, providing a reliable basis for your sales and stock planning.
Identify Proven Winners with Sales Analytics
Start by running a "Top Stock Sales" report in your POS system. Set the date range from August 22, 2024, to September 3, 2024, to cover the peak Father's Day shopping period from last year. I've added a few days here because there are always late buyers. This report gives you a list of your best-selling products. These are your proven sellers.
Don't forget to check inventory levels now. Running out of stock now will cost you. So check your stock, which is easy to do in your POS System.
Analyse Customer Trends for Smarter Stocking
Use your bundle sales report to use a cross-selling technique. If a product sells well with another product, put them together. There is no problem in putting a good seller in two different positions in your shop.
Create an Appealing and Seamless Shopping Experience
The in-store experience for committed buyers must be seamless and consistent. Once you've identified your bestsellers, effective merchandising is crucial. Since many purchases are driven by impulse, a clear, persuasive, and curated display now is highly effective.
Make a nice stand
Create a dedicated display in a high-traffic area of your store, using that stand, and set up a specific section with a sign that reads 'Top Sellers'. If you have the older signs 'Customer Favourites', you will find that they do not resonate well today. Stock your data-proven bestsellers here. This concept employs social proof in marketing. Using it will significantly boost the chances of making a high-value sale.
Brighten the display to draw eyes, and keep paths clear so shoppers can easily reach items.
Ready to Maximise Your Father's Day Sales?
The 2025 Father's Day season is about data-driven retail. You need to consider the shift towards fewer, higher-spending shoppers.
Written by:
Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.
