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Maximize sales by tapping into impulse buys. Stock up on items that might not be on every Thanksgiving list but are perfect for catching the shopper’s eye, like Navel oranges and Satsuma mandarins, Hass avocados and especially berries. While the essentials should be there, this strategy adds more to the basket.
Be sure to celebrate and call out regional farms. The Thanksgiving holiday window is a time when OGC can source so much from Northwest growers – organic Brussels sprouts, cranberries, mushrooms, onions, potatoes, squash and more. Don’t be shy about using point-of-sale signs to highlight the grower community.
After the Rush: Beyond Thanksgiving Day
Plan for the days immediately following Thanksgiving. Even after the holiday, people gather for game days and get creative with leftovers.
Take time to recap the holiday, reflecting on what worked during Thanksgiving and what could have been improved. Were there changes to scheduling, short positions, long positions or display features that will be nice to recall in the future? Take notes to review next year and inform planning.
It’s easy to get burned out after the Thanksgiving rush. Make sure produce staff get a chance to recharge by scheduling days off as the calendar allows. It’s important to reserve some creative and physical energy for the six weeks ahead to capitalize on winter holiday sales.
December is right around the corner. While Thanksgiving has an earthy fall harvest vibe, December will pop with the brightness of citrus, bringing cheer to cold, dark days, so prepare to allow citrus to shine on endcaps. And with early December often being a slower period, it’s the perfect time to catch your breath and move into planning for the December holidays.