Start preparing for the winter period. We know it can be a busy time for convenience store retailers and it’s important to make the most of it. We’re here to help you get ahead with this October Checklist.
Review Seasonal Best-sellers
Looking back on what has sold well in previous seasonal periods provides useful information for the upcoming season. ShopMate EPoS historical data reports support you to make informed decisions and plan your next orders effectively. Top Profit Reports identify what products have the highest profit margins and Top Seller Reports show what sells best in your store. Both reports are available on your ShopMate till.
Check Prices and Promotions
Promoting the right products could lead to a solid increase in sales. With Halloween at the end of October, demand for confectionery tends to increase, particularly for sharing and fun-size formats. To take full advantage of this, check prices are up to date and use your sales data to understand what products and formats are performing well. This can help inform decisions when planning your prices and promotions for the upcoming busy period.
Stock Adjustments
Seasonal demand can start sooner than expected, so it is best to start preparing early. Convenience store retailers should prepare stock to meet demand, so the right products are available when customers need them. You don’t want to miss out on any sales over this period. View your current inventory to inform decision on what to stock in order to maximise sales.
Identify Slow Movers
October is a good time to identify slow moving products. Products that are moving more slowly can take up shelf space and prevent faster moving products from being stocked. Retailers can use real-time reports and identify these slow movers. Replace them with faster moving products to maximise sales during this busy period.
Look Out For New Seasonal Products
October is the perfect time to review new products coming to the market ahead of Halloween and the busy end of the year period. Look beyond your usual range for limited editions, new flavours and seasonal formats that could generate additional customer interest. Wholesaler seasonal guides can also help identify new and first-to-market products relevant to your store.
Products For Convenience Store Retailers To Keep An Eye On:
New products to make the most of this period:
- Barratt Flumpkins and Wham Scary Chew
- Sour Patch Kids Monster Heads
- M&M’S Chocolate Minis Funsize
- Haribo Sour Bats
- Reese’s 2026 Halloween range
- New festive ranges arriving ahead of Christmas
