With Father’s Day just around the corner, I was reflecting on what my son, grandchildren and wife may have up their sleeves in terms of a gift for me. I thought, “Is this the year I get a Porsche 911 Carrera?” Ahhh, no. So, what can dear old dad expect this year?
According to a recent article on Chain Store Age, “Research released by IBISWorld showed that Father’s Day sales are forecast to total $13 billion in 2013, a 2% year-over-year increase. Special outings, such as dining out and watching sporting events, are expected to account for the largest share of Father’s Day spending this year, contributing 18.8% of total holiday sales, up 3.5% from 2012.
Behind outings, gifts of books, CDs, personal care products and sporting goods are expected to account for 18.4% of Father’s Day 2013, up 2% from last year. Greeting card sales will also see an increase over 2012, slated to jump 9%. Apparel spending, however, is slated to dip slightly this year, as consumers lean more toward electronics purchases for Dad. Gift cards will remain a holiday mainstay, accounting for 13% of Father’s Day spending – which is the same as 2012.”
With these statistics in mind, are you prepared? Below are some suggestions to take advantage of the trends and remember, if you have a dedicated rack, do not be afraid of the in-and-out shipper.
- Besides ensuring your every day rack of sunglasses is fully stocked, deploy an in-and-out shipper of sunglasses designed for those planning an outing, placed front and center.
- Also for those headed on an outing, add a special in-and-out shipper of 12-volt and USB cellular chargers that highlight your best-selling chargers.
- Likewise, add a display of power-to-go products to charge those tablets, smartphones and video cameras.
- Take advantage of KSG’s top-selling books and add an in-and-out shipper with titles that dads love like military events, equipment, trains, planes and automobiles.
- Sell KSG’s hot-selling CD shippers and buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO) DVD products.
- Install an in-and-out shipper full of hot-deal colognes.
- Order a small order of items you don’t typically carry such as fishing equipment and telescopes as well as other tried and true outdoor equipment like butane stoves, thermo-electric coolers and logo ice chests.
- Have a greeting card in-and-out shipper properly displayed in the primary traffic flow. A gift card spinner placed front and center will drive awareness to the program for this upcoming celebration. I would also encourage you to have your team suggestive sell the product to everyone who visits the transaction counter. For example, “Have you purchased your dad a gift yet? Dad’s love gift cards.”
- And do not forget the sunscreen...
/// Want more June retail advice? Read Smart Truckstop Retailing for Father's Day and Truckstop Preparation for the Fourth of July from last June.
Photo Credit: Patrick Poendl/bigstock.com
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