Getting ready for the holiday rush as a local shop
For many shops, a few weeks of holidays weigh as much as several ordinary months. But these peaks aren't won on the day — they're prepared. Here's a concrete checklist so nothing is left to chance.
Start well before the peak
Customers look for gifts weeks ahead. Start communicating early: someone who spots your shop in late November comes back in December. Visibility built at the last minute arrives too late.
Update your information (the classic trap)
Holiday hours, special openings, last order dates — nothing is worse than a customer who travels to a closed door. Update your special hours everywhere: your online page and your Google Business Profile. Wrong hours during the holidays cost you real sales.
Showcase your gift ideas
People search for “gift idea” more than for your exact product. Present selections by budget, by recipient, ready-made bundles — with photos on your page. You're not just selling items, you're solving the “what do I get them?” problem.
Be visible at the right moment
This is when “near me” searches explode. A Google profile and an up-to-date page put you right where customers decide. See getting on Google without a website.
Make last-minute buying easy
Reservation, click & collect, gift cards, gift wrapping: small services that make a customer pick your shop over the online store that can no longer deliver in time. See our click & collect guide.
Get ready for the holidays — for free
Create your SmartShopAgent page, keep your holiday hours and gift ideas up to date, and be the shop people find when they're ready to buy.
Create my page for freeFrequently asked questions
When should I start preparing for the holidays?
Several weeks ahead: your messaging and visibility need to be in place before customers start looking — so from mid-November for Christmas.
What's the most common pitfall?
Holiday hours that aren't updated. A customer who finds a closed door — or wrong info on Google — often doesn't come back. Check your hours everywhere before the peak.
Do I need to run promotions?
Not necessarily. During the holidays, convenience (gift ideas, availability, quick pickup) and visibility often matter more than a discount.
How do I capture last-minute shoppers?
By being visible on Google with an up-to-date page and, ideally, offering pickup or reservation. Last-minute shoppers favour what's close and available.