The holidays are just around the corner, and for those of us in the branded merchandise world, that means one thing: opportunity. Despite some ups and downs in the economy and shifts in consumer behavior, one thing remains true—people still love giving (and getting!) great gear. And with online stores continuing to outperform expectations, there’s never been a better time to gear up for growth.
The data shows it: shoppers are showing stronger intent to buy, and stores are launching left and right. So how do you stand out and make this your most successful holiday season yet?
We’ve built this easy-to-follow checklist to help you prep your stores, engage your clients, and spark serious sales—all while making the season smoother for everyone. Let’s dive in!
Holiday Season Success Checklist
1. The Early Planning Advantage: Capitalize on the Holiday Rush
Be Proactive, Not Reactive
Don’t wait for the holiday rush to hit—go after it! Start scouting new opportunities to open seasonal stores, re-engage past customers, and expand into untapped markets.
Plan Ahead (2-3 Months in Advance)
We know the best holiday stores are the ones planned early. Pitch those seasonal ideas and map out your promotions at least 2–3 months ahead of time. Trust us, your future self will thank you.
Communicate with Clients Clearly
Make sure you and your clients are aligned from the jump. What’s the goal of their holiday store? What’s their budget? When do they need it live? A discovery checklist can help guide those key convos.
Leverage Seasonal Resources
If you’ve got a Store Opportunity Calendar, now’s the time to use it! Align your planning with consumer trends and seasonal buying cycles for maximum impact.
Solicit Group Leader Buy-In
Running a team or corporate store? Rally the troops early. Encourage group leaders to champion the store and spread the word—it can make a huge difference in participation.
2. Refresh Your Storefront for the Holidays
Ensure Mobile-First Optimization
With over 60% of shoppers browsing on their phones, your stores must be mobile-optimized. That means fast load times, smooth navigation, and easy checkouts from any device.
Invest in Premium Store Branding
Give your store that polished, retail-worthy vibe. Premium Layouts aren’t just pretty—they drive results, with branded stores averaging nearly 10% more in sales over unbranded stores. It’s all about trust and browse-ability.
Refresh Your Stores for the Season
- Update Banners: Add a festive touch with seasonal visuals.
- Switch Product Images: Highlight holiday-specific items or seasonal colorways.
- Tailor Product Descriptions: Make your copy sparkle with holiday-focused benefits. (Bonus: AI tools can help you craft custom messaging!)
- Simplify Navigation with Categories: Make it super simple for shoppers to find what they need by organizing products into easy-to-browse categories.
Avoid Overwhelming Shoppers (Paradox of Choice)
More isn’t always better. For Pop-up and Redemption Stores, curated selections (5–11 products) convert better, are easier to manage, and reduce decision fatigue. Keep it clear, clean, and intentional.
3. Product Strategy for Holiday Success
Connect with Suppliers for Inventory & Timelines
Inventory gets tight fast this time of year. Double-check product availability and confirm ship dates early to avoid backorders or cancellations. Be in the know—on both store-level and supplier-level stock.
Offer Product Bundles
Bundles are a win-win. Shoppers love them, and they can help you move higher-ticket items and hit product minimums. Think of them like the “gift sets” of the branded merch world.
Highlight Recommended Products
Guide your shoppers with “You may also like” suggestions or feature best-sellers to increase cart size and average order value.
Cater to All Budgets
Not everyone’s shopping from the same wallet. Offer good/better/best tiers so there’s something for everyone—without compromising on style or quality.
Introduce New & Seasonal Items
Bring the excitement with fresh, on-trend, or seasonal items that feel exclusive. Limited drops and seasonal collections give shoppers a reason to come back (and buy fast).
Provide Personalization Options
Personalized gifts are always a hit. Let customers add names, numbers, or custom touches to their gear—and consider making it an upcharge to increase order value.
Consider Print-on-Demand (POD) Products
POD is a powerhouse, especially during the holidays. With quick turnaround, no minimums, and tons of decoration options, POD stores deliver higher average order values ($103 vs. $70 for non-POD!). It’s a smart solution for last-minute shoppers and lower-risk inventory.
4. Streamline Holiday Payments & Fulfillment to Make More Sales
Offer Flexible Payment Methods
Make it easy to say “yes”. Add digital wallets and Buy Now, Pay Later options like Klarna. Fun fact: Klarna-paid orders had a 63% higher AOV than credit card orders in Q2.
Reduce Cart Abandonment
- Trigger Notifications: Catch shoppers before they bounce with smart cart reminders.
- Set Inventory Thresholds: Don’t let customers fall in love with out-of-stock products—automatically remove unavailable items.
- Create Urgency with Deadlines: Pop-up Stores thrive on urgency. A countdown or hard deadline can drive faster decisions and bigger buys.
- Communicate Fulfillment Timelines: Set clear delivery expectations to build trust and avoid customer service headaches.
5. Engage Your Customers with Promotions & Impactful Fundraising
Get Creative with Holiday Promotions
Sprinkle in some holiday magic with special offers—gift certificates, exclusive coupons, or redemption codes. Tailor your promos to specific groups to create VIP-level experiences.
Maximize Fundraising Efforts (If Applicable)
If your store is supporting a cause, shout it from the rooftops! Include the fundraising amount in product pricing or offer donation add-ons. Visual tools like a Fundraising Tracker or Timer can energize donors and create momentum.
6. Optimizing for Next Year: Post-Holiday Data Analysis
Run End-of-Year Reports
You made it through the season—now it’s time to look back and level up. Use custom reports to analyze sales performance, top products, and fundraising success. What worked? What didn’t? Use these insights to start planning for an even bigger year ahead.
7. Don’t Hesitate to Ask OMG for Help!
Leverage Creative Services
During the hustle and bustle of the holidays, you don’t have to go it alone. Tap into creative services for store design, product ads, and setup. It’s a great way to keep things running smoothly while you focus on what matters most: serving your clients and growing your business.
Together, we can make this holiday season your best yet. With the right tools, the right mindset, and the right partner, anything is possible. Happy selling—and happy holidays!
