Season 4 Episode 1: Trading in Jan- Help! Sometimes it need a miracle in January to turn the sales around. We talk top tips and the drama that goes on behind the scenes.

This week we are easing ourselves into the new year with a good goss to start…

We are catching up and chatting about skiing, impractical ski wear, sportswear brands, practical dressing v. fashion and a great first gift from a boyfriend…

Then we get into the serious stuff (well, you know us, it’s serious with a many a laugh!) and we talk about January trading, classic fitness DVDs, water bottles, quick win trading brainstorm, stock buys to take when the only products left are the products that didn't sell…do you take a punt?! Baubles or Reindeers in January anyone?! If so, an execution plan is essential to communication to stores and customers!

Here's our top 3 points from today's episode:

1. How do you plug the gap of missed Xmas sales? YOU CANT! Unless you win the lottery. Haha. Typical ideas to 'inflate your sales' (haha) in January could be electric blankets, water bottles, smoothie makers, fitness focused goods, but unless this is planned we would recommend you stay away from buying more stock at this point in the year or you will just be left with or net your sales without making any extra money. Remember, quick wins don't have to be about buying more stock could be concept driven. Your end of year stock number is more important, cash is king. We'd suggest you think of stock moving exercises, such as ideas of collaborating with other departments or product categories to push that excess stock, or how could you generate some extra sales with a spin on a marketing campaign? 
2. Look after your staff, this is definitely the main month of illness and wellness. Many people can find the month post festive fun tough, the dark and the cold days with Summer still feeling so far away and customers only really shopping rock bottom price products. How can you improve the mood of your team? Give them a great start to the year, with motivation and a positive drive - remember you are your team! Give back to them and you will see the results. 
3.  It's all about getting products booked pre CNY, very quickly after Christmas factories will be shutting down in China, so it timing is crucial to make sure your products land when you need them to this year. Lets also all take a moment to think of those seasonal teams that don't get a break over Christmas, planning is crucial and ensuring that sign off goes smoothly as we have not got the luxury of time with CNY looming!

On a positive note, January is a great time to look at your road map and get on with re -forecasting those numbers. We have great expertise in this and many packages on our website to help you get kick started with the new year ahead. Drop us a message and we can set up a discovery call to see how we can help you. 

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