Coffee Shops and the Holidays

Ray Williamson Posted on: 2013-11-15 12:00 AM

 
We sell holiday coffees - about 3 or 4 different kinds that have a limited offering time, so it is a yearly "Oh my, when is Holiday Blend gonna be in" mentality. We also do holiday mochas, another yearly tradition. We also bulk up our logo mugs and other stuff, but our focus is not retail so we keep it limited. We always make more money selling drinks than retail. Also, this year is our 20th anniversary, so we are doing some fun stuff for it. I just listed a 20th anniversary t-shirt on our webstore that we'll also sell in the store.

We also try to be part of our community with what ever is going on to make sure we are part of all festivities.

"Patti's Coffee & Tea"

 
Creating funky flavors like; Sipping Whisky by the Fire, Kinky Candycane, Dark Chocolate Dipped Shortbread, Spice Kissed Egg Nog, Chai Christmas and White Chocolate Gingerbread. Every year something new.
 
We also do holiday-themed coffees that are available for a limited time. We have plenty of bags made up fresh each day in a pretty basket near the cash register. People love these for the last minute office parties, gift needs, stocking stuffer & hostess gifts. We also specialty package small but prettily packaged "samplers that we sell individually as well as an assortment that are then packaged in a pretty gable box with a bow that work for the same reasons mentioned above. We print up a pretty little insert card with the name of each coffee & a flavor or roast description. Our customers have come to expect these and start asking for them by Thanksgiving. We do a set number ahead of time and put them around the store and they quickly sell out. The samplers are a great item for people to insert in their own gift baskets that they put together, but we also do coffee and tea gift baskets along with some chocolates or shortbread, etc. that can easily have a gift certificate added to them.

With a little advance notice, I'll make up custom gift baskets for customers in a variety of price points and they really appreciate that special touch & many of them return each year. Especially the men! They don't know what their wife drinks, likes, etc. & hate wrapping so they love that we'll make them something that they know she'll like, is pretty and all they have to do is pick it up and pay for it. They can add a gift certificate from the spa or their favorite store and really make her happy! It's really all about paying attention to your customers and what are they looking/asking for? We love to give ours the personal touch, so no request is unreasonable necessarily.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

---

The Customer is always Right
Coffee House Marketing Tips
Should I Use a Local Roaster
Local Promotions Can Have a Big Effect on Business
Success or Failure Might Depend on Your Staff