Let's talk Easter. It's almost here; frankly, too many shops leave money on the table during this peak trading period. It's a shame if you look at the splurge forecast's potential for Easter this year. Potential doesn't pay the bills. Making the most of Easter isn't about luck; it's about smart, decisive action based on facts, not guesswork. Do something to capture your share of the Easter spend!

The Easter Spending Reality: Know the Numbers, Then Act

Before we talk about strategy, could we clarify the fact? The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and Roy Morgan have laid out the landscape for Easter 2025.

"According to data from the ARA and Roy Morgan, 6.2 million Australians are planning to use the Easter break for DIY projects around the home. Nationwide spending for this sector is projected to increase 27 per cent year-on-year to $6.7 billion."

While shoppers might be watching their wallets overall, they plan to spend. Your job is to align your shop with where the money is going.

Everyone is talking about the fact that Easter goods will be dearer in 2025 than last year. We can't do anything about it, but please be ready to answer people if it comes up. I doubt it will be hard to explain as they know about this problem unless they live under a rock.

Figures show that, on average, shoppers will have to spend about 9.5% more on their Easter chocolates than on Easter 2024. Interestingly, Darrell Lea, the brand of many of my customers in the market, has no price from what I could see.

Common Easter Retailing Mistakes (And How You'll Avoid Them)

Based on my experience working with countless retailers, here are the critical errors I see businesses make year after year during Easter. Avoid these, and you're already ahead of the pack.

Mistake 1: Ignoring the Data & using gut feel

Too many retailers rely on gut feelings and/or memory without checking the facts. That's just lazy. Do some research, particularly on food and chocolates. Your stocking decisions must reflect this reality.

Action

Dive into your Point of Sale (POS) system. Run reports like "Top Selling Items" or "Sales by Category" for last year's Easter period (use the two weeks leading up to Easter Sunday). See what is sold in your shop! Don't guess, but know!

Action

Use this data and the 2025 spending forecasts to place your orders. Look at proven sellers in the key categories (treats, DIY). Don't forget small items like themed decorations, small gifts and greeting cards. Put them where they will be noticed.

Mistake 2: Being Invisible

Potential customers will walk past your shop if people cannot see your Easter product. For Easter, they need an immediate, compelling reason to enter. Weak window signage or your generic display won't cut it. You must grab attention and scream to the world, "Easter products here!"

Action

Use bold, clear signage in windows and throughout the store. Announce your Easter specials, highlight key product categories (Easter treats, DIY supplies), and make your unique selling points obvious.

Mistake 3: Running Uninspired Promotions

Slapping a simple "10% off" sign-up is unimaginative and often erodes your margin. Customers are bombarded with discounts; yours must be more innovative and engaging to drive sales and increase basket size.

Action

Create an Easter Bundle.

Most of you have a loyalty program; use it!

Mistake 5: Flying Blind Without Your POS Data

It loops back to Mistake 1 above, but it deserves its point because it's fundamental. Your POS system isn't just for taking payments; it's your business intelligence hub. Failing to use its reporting tools before and during a peak period like Easter is like driving blindfolded.

Action: Deeply analyse last year's Easter sales data before ordering.

Need some ideas

See what worked last year in your shop

Go to Register reports.

Now pick "Top N Stock Sales for a Given Period."

Put in,, say,, two weeks before Easter 2024, and check them out

As these items worked for you then, they should work for you again this year.

Now look at:

-Top-selling products overall.

-Best-performing categories.

-Sales trends day-by-day (when did the rush start?)

-Average transaction value (can promotions lift this?).

Your Easter Success is 100% you.

Let's be blunt: Easter presents a significant opportunity. Whether you capture your fair share depends on preparation and execution.

Good luck, and make this Easter your most profitable yet.

Easter is a great day to shop in retail as the holiday season is short, but sales can be impressive.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director at POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience. He consults to 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.

Easter brings sales, alright, with chocolate bunnies and festive decorations. However, once the holiday ends, retailers are often left with stock that is difficult to sell. It impacts their cash flow, and worse, it has to be stored. Your POS software can help you identify many unsellable items, allowing you to take action before they impact your profits.

Why Seasonal Stock Becomes Unsellable

Seasonal inventory is a double-edged sword. While Easter drives foot traffic, a study of 40 of our clients revealed that approximately a quarter of the seasonal stock often remains unsold after the holiday, becoming dead stock that ties up cash flow and storage space. That is why we decided to address this problem.

Here is what retailers typically do to solve this common retail challenge:

• Buy a stock for Easter, but it can be sold after Easter.
• Some can be returned to the supplier
• Retailers will typically slash prices by 50–70% to clear Easter leftovers, which erodes their profit margins.
• The rest has to be stored till next year

Fortunately, with our POS Software, retailers have a powerful tool to help them identify and sell this unsellable stock. This tool can help determine the number of items sold during Easter, but it will likely not sell after following this step-by-step procedure.

Step-by-Step Inventory Analysis

Your POS system does more than process sales—it can help identify unsellable items early, allowing you to take action before they impact your finances. Follow these steps:

Use POS Reports Effectively

Leverage Historical Data

Go to Register Reports, which is marked in green, and then select "Stock Sold During Period(a) Not Sold in Period(b)" from the in-stock section.

Now select in stock, "Stock Sold During Period(a) Not Sold in Period(b)"

Go to Register Reports > Stock Analysis > "Stock Sold During Period (a) Not Sold in Period (b)"

Run this report to pinpoint previous unsellable items:

Set Period (a) 01/03/24 – 31/03/24 (Easter)
Set Period (b) 01/04/24 – 40/04/24 (post-Easter lull).

This report will generate a list of items that sold during Easter but had no sales afterwards.

Flag products with year-on-year (YOY) sales declines. I suggest that ≥15% should be marked as high-risk for overstocking.

A Melbourne newsagency found that plush toys sold 22% slower than the previous year. They cleared 85% of their inventory early by running a pre-Easter flash sale.

Call-to-Action

Don't let unsellable Easter stock weigh down your business! You can use your POS system today to identify slow-moving items early, take decisive action, and refine your strategy for next year's holiday season.

Conclusion

You need to be able to manage their stock effectively. You should use this report to help manage your stock and maximise profits effectively.

Executive summary

> Due to stock that is only available during specific seasons, such as Easter, seasonal holidays can be particularly challenging for retailers.
> Our POS Software can assist you with tracking down unsellable stock 
> This report will provide a list of unsellable products.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director at POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience. He consults to 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.

Australia Day on January 26th represents our only national celebration. What was supposed to be a holiday meant to unite us in celebrating our beautiful, diverse country has become politicized. It indeed commemorates a day when much changed in Australia.

Australia Day trading hours

If your business operates on Australia Day, clear communication is essential. Display prominent signage, update your online trading hours, and ensure your storefront indicates you're open for business.

Local Support for Local Businesses

As a proudly Australian-owned Point of Sale provider, we are one of the few remaining, so we know how important it is to help local businesses maximize their Australia Day revenue. To that end, we are running our support lines today if you have a problem.

It's becoming evident that retailers across Australia are already gearing up for the festive season. 

Analysing Christmas Interest Trends

To measure public interest in the upcoming holiday season, I turned to Google Trends (www.google.com/trends), a valuable tool, I find for measuring Australian interest over time. The results paint an interesting picture:

• Consistent Interest: Over the past four years, Australian public interest in Christmas-related searches has remained stable.
• Slight Increase: There's a small but noticeable uptick in Christmas-related searches compared to past years.
• Long-Term Stability: Extending the analysis to cover an eight-year period shows little variation, indicating a consistent level of holiday enthusiasm among Australians.

This data shows that despite the current economic conditions, Australians' interest in Christmas celebrations remains constant. For retailers, this presents both opportunities and challenges as we approach the busiest shopping season of the year.

As the holiday season approaches, we must be well-prepared to capitalise on the busiest time of the year. Here is an interesting report

Understanding the 2024 Christmas

Here's what we're seeing:

Consumer Sentiment and Spending Patterns

Cautious Optimism

Despite economic pressures, most (76%) of Australian consumers plan to spend the same or more than in 2023.

Value-Seeking Behaviour

A whopping 70% of shoppers state sales promotions and discounts as the main factor in purchasing.

Early Bird Shopping

55% of Aussie consumers have started their gift shopping by October, indicating your need to be prepared now.

November Peak

63% of consumers plan to complete their Christmas shopping in November, particularly late November.

Black Friday Boom

Black Friday sales are rapidly increasing in importance in Australia, marking the start of the Christmas shopping season.

Category-Specific Trends Expected for Christmas 2024

Clothing

This category has emerged as the most popular gift choice for 2024, overtaking gift cards and electronics for the first time in nearly a decade

Books

Books are among the top gift choices

Gift Cards:

While no longer the top choice, gift cards remain popular, ranking, but the margins are so low that it might be questionable in this category. Many of my clients tell me they feel it costs them money as people spend more on gift cards than on their products.

Food:

Food spending is expected to dominate the peak season; no matter how times may go up or down, people have to eat.

Electronics

While specific figures aren't provided, electronics appear to have dropped in popularity compared to previous years, no longer being among the top gift choices

Overall, most expect a shift towards more practical gifts.

Toys

One category that is not being discussed but I think is worth looking into is kids, people now are not cutting down on their kids. I think you will find strong interest in toys, look at movie-inspired toys, what about toys like the Barbie Rewind 80s edition Career Girl Doll, Wizarding World Harry Potter Interactive Dobby and Batman Mega Mech Playset. Lego is trending on social media exposure. With the predictions of a hot summer water toys are expected to be popular. Learning toys with educational aspects, particularly those focusing on STEM education, are a priority for many parents

Preparing Your Retail Business for Holiday Success

Your POS System

Your point-of-sale system is the backbone of your holiday operations. Here's how to ensure it's ready:

Hardware Check

Test all POS computers, including backup registers. Ensure proper cabling and network connections. This cannot be stressed too much. Make sure everything works now.

Software Updates

Install any necessary updates to your POS software well in advance. You do not want to experiment over Christmas. It is highly recommended that over Christmas, you do not update your computers.

Strategic Inventory Management

Use your POS system's data to inform your inventory decisions:

Analyse Past Sales

See what sold over last year's Christmas period to identify products that sold in your shop.

Supplier Communication

Discuss expected order volumes with suppliers to avoid shortages.

Seasonal Stock

Ensure adequate stock of holiday decorations, gift sets, and greeting cards.

Financial Planning

Proper financial management is crucial during this high-stakes period:

Budget for Increased Expenses

Plan for higher inventory costs and seasonal staffing.

Cash Flow Projections

Use your POS data to forecast cash flow and plan accordingly.

Step 4: Staff Preparation and Scheduling

A well-prepared team is essential for a smooth holiday season:

Analyse Staffing Needs

Review last year's data to inform this year's staffing levels.

Create Flexible Rosters

Use your POS system's staff management tools to create efficient schedules.

Step 5: Marketing and Promotions

Effective marketing can significantly boost your holiday sales:

Social Media Engagement

Start early with holiday-themed social media content to build excitement.

Store Layout

Plan your product placement to maximise the visibility of holiday items.

Festive Decor

Use holiday signage and decorations to create a cheerful shopping environment.

Prepare for Peak Shopping Events

Be ready for high-volume shopping days:

Black Friday

Ensure you can handle increased transaction volumes.

Extended Hours

Plan for extended store hours during peak shopping.

Holiday Preparation Checklist

Use this comprehensive checklist to ensure you're fully prepared:

• [ ] Update and test all POS hardware and software
• [ ] Review inventory levels and set up automatic reorder points
• [ ] Analyse past sales data to inform stock ordering
• [ ] Communicate with suppliers about expected holiday volumes
• [ ] Plan store layout and product placement for holiday items
• [ ] Review and adjust financial projections for the season
• [ ] Create staff rosters and hire seasonal staff if needed
• [ ] Conduct staff training on POS, customer service, and product knowledge
• [ ] Develop and schedule holiday marketing campaigns
• [ ] Prepare holiday-themed store decorations and signage
• [ ] Consider a gift wrapping services
• [ ] Ensure adequate stock of gift cards and packaging materials
• [ ] Plan for extended store hours during peak shopping periods

My personal view

The holidays are just around the corner. We have to shine. I've seen firsthand how a well-used POS system can turn a good season into a great one. It's not just about ringing up sales - it's your secret weapon for managing stock, keeping your team on track, and creating a shop that customers love. Trust me, your POS is more innovative than you think - use it to make your life easier and your business stronger this Christmas.

The AFL Grand Final weekend is among the most challenging software support periods. As your trusted partner, we ensure your operations run smoothly during this peak period.

Our support today will be as usual:

Sydney Office Support: Fully operational today.

Melbourne Public Holiday Notice: Our Melbourne office is closed for the public holiday, so our Sydney team is at max.

Availability: Normal hours throughout the weekend.

On Big Day - AFL Grand Final

Support Availability

Our support team will operate as usual throughout the weekend. However, we kindly ask that you avoid calling during game time; our support staff would greatly appreciate it. We are footy fans, too!

Rest assured, if you do need assistance, they'll be there to help.

A Season Like No Other

This AFL season has been the most unpredictable one I can remember. The top half of teams is close in performance, and we have seen a lot of inconsistency in play. Unfortunately, we have also had a few injuries.

Personal Reflections

As a die-hard Carlton supporter (through thick and thin, I'm trying to remain neutral this year. However, I can't help but think Sydney looks like the team to beat, but Brisbane could do it. In footy, as in retail, anything can happen on the day.

I like this image.

Final Thoughts

Remember, our support team is here if you need us. We're all hoping for a smooth sailing weekend. Good luck to all, both on the field and in your shop!

Update:  This Grand Final fits the trend that predicting football outcomes in 2024 has been impossible this year.

I found myself wondering when we Victorians would turn off the TV. The match became so one-sided, and our interest waned once it became evident that the Lions had such a commanding lead that a comeback seemed impossible. Still, we went to the end.

That said, without diminishing Brisbane's performance, Sydney is a much better team than they showed today. They will be able to redeem themselves next year, but now it is Brisbane. 

Now, in Victoria, it's a time when the place buzzes with the AFL Grand Final in Melbourne.

To Open or Not to Open?

The problem is that it's a public holiday, and it costs if you have staff on that day. So, as the day approaches, retailers are asking themselves whether to open.

But here's the problem if they decide to open: do your customers know you are open on AFL Final Melbourne?

The Customer Confusion Challenge

Last year, one of our clients decided to open their shop on Grand Final Day, but they saw very few customers. They think it was because many customers assumed we'd be closed.

Let them know

Spread the word: For example, plaster a "Yes, we're open!" sign on the shop front.

If you have a Facebook account for the shop, let them know there.

If you can put something in front of the shop to show you are open so people can see it.

Final Thoughts

Your customers can only buy from you if they come, even if you are open.

Do it now as you do not have a lot of time.

Father's Day is almost here. I hope you are prepared as it retails a golden opportunity, so please do not waste it. Let's dive into how you can use your point of sale (POS) software to maximise your sales.

Background this Father's Day

According to recent data, Australians are set to spend a lot. $820 million on their dads this year. That's a lot of potential sales to go around! Here's what people are buying now:

1. Alcohol and food (34%)
2. Clothing, shoes, and sleepwear (15%)
3. Books, games, and music (15%)

While that's exciting news, the figure itself is slightly down last year, with the average person shelling out $101 instead of $112, but last year's figure was outstanding, so don't worry. 

Insights from the GiftFair

At the GiftFair in Melbourne. Suppliers seemed to be pushing items for Father's Day, these items:

• Beer steins and unique drinkware: Perfect for dad's favourite brew!
• Quirky socks: Because who doesn't love fun feet?
• Male grooming items: Help Dad look his best. I do not know how it will go in Australia, but retail publications in the UK are now saying they are doing well in retail shops.

Using Your POS System to Boost Sales

Check What Worked Last Year

The fact is that we are creatures of habit. What worked well last year often works this year. Do you remember last Father's Day? What sold well but didn't work? Your POS Software does! Use the "Top N Stock Sales for a Given Period" report to see last year's sales. 
 

Go to Register Reports.

Now pick "Top N Stock Sales for a Given Period."

In the form, put in today's and day-a-week's search and check it out. That will give you what worked last year. Make sure that these items are noticeable in your shop now.

Create Irresistible Bundles

Use your POS to create and track gift bundles. Maybe a "Beer Lover's Bundle" with a fantastic Stein and local brews? 

Offer Early Bird Specials

Did you know that 10% of shoppers have already bought?  The odds are now people are buying for Father's Day.

Making Shopping a Breeze

Remember, stressed-out gift buyers are your friends. Make their lives more accessible, and they'll love you for it. So, set up a "Father's Day Favourites" stand in your store and

• Put your good sellers on the stand from your POS System data
• Create staff picks based on sales data

Wrap It Up

Father's Day might be a short season, but it can significantly impact your bottom line. By using your POS system smartly and focusing on what shoppers want, you can turn this day into a real winner for your store.

Mother's Day is an excellent opportunity for retailers. It is now the third-largest retail season of the year!

Australians are expected to spend $995 million on Mother's Day this year, up 7.5% from the previous year, which also set a record. We can anticipate fewer customers overall due to the current cost-of-living pressure, but those who do plan to buy will be spending more, as the projected gift purchase is set to jump from $92 to $102 per person.

People will buy candles, books, clothes, personalized items, etc.

Here's How to Use Your POS System for Mother's Day Success:

Prioritize Convenience & Inspiration

25% of Mother's Day shoppers cite convenience as their top priority when selecting gifts. Many are short on time and looking for ready-to-go options and ideas. Cater to these needs with:

• Dedicated Mother's Day Display: Create an eye-catching, centralized display showcasing your giftable Mother's Day merchandise. Clear signage guides hurried shoppers straight to this "grab-and-go" section.

• Pre-Bundled Gift Sets: Offer assembled gift sets (e.g. a plush robe with slippers and a candle) to reduce decision fatigue for stressed shoppers. This also increases the average order value.

• Diverse Gift Options: While many buy for their mothers, around 19% gift maternal figures like partners, friends, in-laws, grandmothers, sisters, or daughters. Ensure a wide assortment to serve all customers.

Data-Driven Product Assortment

Let your POS data guide your product selections and purchase quantities by analyzing what historically sold well for Mother's Day:

1. Access Historical Sales Reports: Look for "Top N Stock Sales for a Given Period" or a similar report in your POS backend.

Go to Register reports.

Now pick "Top N Stock Sales for a Given Period."

In the form, put the date a late year for now to Sunday, 14 May 2023. These are the items that worked for you then. Hopefully, you have them now.

Check Pre-Pandemic Sales: Generate this report for the week leading up to Mother's Day 2019 to understand pre-COVID buying patterns.

Find the Sales Sweet Spot: This year's sales will likely blend 2019 and 2023 patterns. 

Stock accordingly while leaving buffer room for demand fluctuations. Make data-driven purchases to ensure you have the right gift assortment and volumes.

Maximize Your Promotions & Operations

Even with its short sales cycle, Mother's Day can significantly impact your bottom line if well-executed. Prepare with these strategies:

• Promote Early & Often: A simple sign on the window can do wonders in practice.

• Highlight This Year's Gift Trends: People tell me that recipe books are expected to be good sellers.

• Offer Gift Services: Consider simple add-ons like gift wrapping, which saves customers time and increases your transaction value.

• Staff Appropriately: Schedule enough sales staff. Use your traffic reports, as this will tell you how busy you were last year. 

Please go to Traffic analysis, which you will find in register reports > Sales.
 

Now, here, select "Traffic Analysis by Trading Hour."
 

Put in here the week before that includes Mother's Day

Now out pops a chart, which shows by customers how busy the shop was per day. This will tell you how busy the till operators were with colour coding.

By combining strategic planning, operational readiness, and leveraging your POS data, you can deliver outstanding service while capturing maximum Mother's Day profits.

The Payoff of Prioritizing Mother's Day

Mother's Day is not only a chance to delight your customers and honour maternal figures. It's also an enormous money-making opportunity for retailers willing to put in the work.

With some upfront analysis of your POS data, an assortment of giftable products tailored to trends, convenient shopping experiences, and well-promoted offerings, you can transform this spring occasion into a massive revenue windfall.

So start preparing your business for Mother's Day! 

How Taylor Swift Concerts Rocked Retail Sales: Over 600,00 fans going to see her sent up retail sales alright! It turns out these "Swifties" (that's what her fans call themselves) bought big.

What does this mean for you?

It is said, " The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today." – Elbert Hubbard.

As this case shows, in the bustling world of retail, retail fervour unfolds if you are prepared and able to capitalise on it in some way.

There was plenty to capitalise on as Ben Dorber, Australia Bureau of Statistics head of retail statistics, highlights out here in their Feb 2024 report that while he was looking at the figures, "Seven sold-out Taylor Swift concerts in Sydney and Melbourne boosted retail spending this month, with over 600,000 Swifties flocking to these events. This increased spending on clothing, merchandise, accessories and dining out", a national increase of 0.2%.

So, as a retailer, here's the deal:

• Plan Ahead: Check calendars for big concerts, sporting matches, and festivals that will get wide media attention. 
• Get Creative: Tap into the excitement of those events. Offer event-themed merchandise or promotions that capture the excitement.

A Real-World Win 

I read how one clothing boutique near a concert venue offered "Swiftie Style" t-shirts and discounts for anyone showing a concert ticket. The result, their sales did well.

The Big Takeaway

Even if your business isn't a direct match with the event, don't miss the opportunity! The right planning and creativity can help boost your sales when a big event is staged. Remember, even a slight increase in sales or getting your shop's name in front of new customers can have a lasting positive impact on your business!