The Pharmacy Post

Is Your Pharmacy Ready for the Holidays?

The holiday season is upon us, and while we look forward to celebrating with friends and family, it’s also an important season for pharmacies to prepare for. With a few things to check off your list, you can be sure you are ready to deliver the best for your customers and your business.

First off, and what should be evergreen advice—make sure your customers know your hours! With so many businesses modifying their regular business hours or being closed on holidays, it’s important your customers know when you’re open. Have your hours clearly posted and remind customers when you interact with them if you plan on being closed during normal business hours.

We know not everyone is full of the holiday spirit, but that doesn’t mean your business should look like it’s run by the Grinch! Decorate your store festively to make it feel warm and welcoming. If you have a storefront window, considering hiring an artist to make a holiday mural to entice customers inside. Holiday decorations are an easy way to make your pharmacy more inviting to enter and are worth the small price and effort to do.

In addition to decorations, make sure you’re not missing out on easy money with holiday related items for sale. Of course gift cards, small gifts, and toys are a great idea, but help save your customers time with commonly needed items too. You can have great margins on items like wrapping paper, tape, gift bags, and greeting cards that your customers will grab to save them a trip to another store. It’s also worth it to stock up on some chocolates, sweets, candy canes, and if you have a refrigerated section, eggnog. These holiday related items are an easy way to add sales to the season.

Decorations and holiday items aren’t the only way to get customers into your store—shoppers expect sales this time of year and you should be giving them more than coal! Consider running a sale or coupons on commonly sought after items to get customer inside and then sell them on your products with higher margins. A small loss on one item is worth it if you can get them to buy more, and with your attractive store stocked with enticing holiday items, that should be easy!

The holiday season isn’t all about gifts and sales though—it is called the season of giving after all. Find a local charity you support and encourage customers to donate. People want to feel like they’re helping the needy this time of year and you can gain loyalty and goodwill by facilitating that. Also, while it may seem like nothing but a cost, sending out holiday cards to your customers can be a good way to make them feel valued. They probably won’t put it on their fridge, but the personal touch will still be remembered and it’s an easy way to remind them that you’re open for the holidays to help them with their medications and last-minute gifts.

The last piece of advice is not for your customers, but your employees. Working during the holidays can be stressful, and missing time with friends and family can dampen moods and lower productivity. Make sure your employees know how much you value their contribution to the business. Get them small presents, organize a holiday party, provide treats during their shift—anything you can do to make working during the busiest time of the year for retail as enjoyable as you can.

Do these things and your pharmacy will be ringing in the new year with profit and prosperity!