November 2025
As we race towards the Christmas break, many small business owners are bracing themselves for what can be the busiest few weeks of the year.
Australian shoppers spent $36.9 billion in December 2023, according to the Australia Bureau of Statistics. This holiday season will likely see customers hunting for value, as they seek to enjoy the festive season whilst managing their household budgets.
If you’re keen for your business to score a decent share of the spend, you’ll know it pays to be organised, ideally well in advance.
Small business author Andrew Griffiths shares some tips to help you capitalise on the seasonal surge.
An uptick in foot traffic and sales likely means you’ll want more hands on deck. If you’ve not already done so, it is a good time to consider locking in your regulars and recruit the Christmas casuals you need to support them. Where you can, look for experienced operators who can handle the pressure and provide top notch customer service.
“Over-estimating your staffing needs will allow you to make the most of the opportunity the festive season represents,” Griffiths says.
“Arranging sufficient coverage is vital and so is having a back-up plan, in case someone calls in sick or is unavailable at short notice.”
You can’t make additional sales over the holiday period unless you have something to sell. Knowing your suppliers’ stock levels, ordering deadlines and delivery schedules will help you ensure the shelves aren’t bare and you’re not scrambling for ingredients, stock or other essential items at the eleventh hour.
“Planning ahead is the key to avoiding last minute chaos,” Griffiths says. “Reviewing the previous year’s trading patterns should help you determine the inventory you’ll need over the next few weeks.”
With competition for the Christmas dollar as stiff as it’s ever been, finding ways to make your small business stand out can be very useful.
Bold, creative marketing can help you do so, and it doesn’t necessarily have to cost you big bucks. Consider creating time-limited holiday offers for your social media followers.
Use storytelling to showcase how your products or services can make customers’ holidays more special and don’t be afraid to use video to bring your brand to life on popular platforms like Insta and TikTok. The key is to be authentic and connect emotionally with your audience by making them feel like they’re part of something special this holiday season.
Most people enjoy a surprise but not if it’s turning up at their favourite store or venue to find the doors bolted and the closed sign out.
If you’re making changes over the holiday season – to your trading hours, menu or prices, for example – it’s important to let customers know about them in plenty of time, via email, SMS, your web site and socials, or a good old-fashioned sign in the window.
If it’s been a while since you reviewed your business insurance, the run-up to the holiday season may be a good time to do so. Your Steadfast broker can help you determine whether the cover you have is appropriate for your needs, now and in 2025.
This article provides information rather than financial product or other advice. The content of this article, including any information contained in it, has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of the information, taking these matters into account, before you act on any information. In particular, you should review the product disclosure statement for any product that the information relates to it before acquiring the product.
Information is current as at the date the article is written as specified within it but is subject to change. Steadfast Group Ltd and Steadfast Network Brokers make no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information. Various third parties have contributed to the production of this content. All information is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of Steadfast Group Limited.
Request a quote or book a free consultation with an authorised insurance adviser.
Address:
12 Stirling Highway, Nedlands WA 6009
Postal:
PO Box 133, Nedlands WA 6909
© 2023 AMA Insurance Brokers
AMACIS Pty Ltd T/As
AMA Insurance Brokers | AFSL 235312
ABN 40 064 488 106
General Advice Warning: General advice on this website has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on the advice, consider its appropriateness. Consider our disclosure documents, which include our FSG and Product Disclosure Statements (PDS) for some products.
This site is designed for Australian residents only. Nothing on this website is an offer or a solicitation of an offer to acquire any products or services, by any person or entity outside of Australia.
AMA Services (WA) Pty Ltd. ABN 47 008 671 458 t/as AMA Financial Planning is an Authorised Representative of Consultum Financial Advisers Pty Ltd. ABN 65 006 373 995 l AFSL 230323 an Australian Financial Services Licensee.
