Preparing for Autumn Fashions: Items to Purchase, Storage Solutions, and Timing for Resale
In the lead-up to the autumn season, convenience stores are gearing up for a busy few months. Here's a rundown of the key strategies that retailers are employing to maximise their profits during this period.
Firstly, school-adjacent stores are stocking up on essentials. Lunchbox multipacks, single-serve breakfast items, health essentials like tissues and hand sanitizer are all in high demand. Umbrellas and rain gear are positioned prominently to cater to the unpredictable British weather.
Game days also require careful planning. Retailers are stocking up on Friday afternoons, creating prominent displays, and planning Monday markdowns for perishables to ensure they're ready for the weekend rush.
Effective fall merchandising requires flexibility, as it's based on weather, events, and customer flow patterns. Strategic cross-merchandising can drive larger baskets by linking complementary products such as coffee with breakfast items, soup with crackers, and game-day snacks.
Seasonal flavours can help boost sales, but they should be managed carefully to avoid clearance problems in January. Pumpkin spice, apple, maple, and cinnamon are popular choices, but retailers need to strike the right balance to avoid overstocking.
Data-driven inventory management is crucial for successful fall retail. Retailers are forecasting last year's top 50 fall SKUs, categorising them as seasonal, routine, or event-driven, and establishing markdown schedules before ordering seasonal items.
The fall inventory strategy should be built around three pillars: daily essentials, weather-responsive items, and seasonal flavours. Hot beverages, oatmeal cups, and prepared soups form the foundation of this strategy.
Location plays a significant role in determining the ideal product selection for convenience stores. Stores near major employers should focus on premium coffee, fresh grab-and-go options, energy drinks, and commuter essentials like windshield washer fluid, wiper blades, and basic automotive supplies.
Highway and high-traffic intersection locations should focus on travel sizes, immediate-need items, and easy grab-and-go options. Game-day bundles and weather-response products perform well in these locations.
The key to maximising autumn profitability for retailers is understanding and orchestrating inventory to match predictable customer patterns from August through November. The difference between average and exceptional fall performance often comes down to systematic planning and consistent execution, with prepared operators capitalising on each micro-season's unique opportunities.
Small-footprint, high-margin items like lip balm, pocket tissues, and hand sanitizer generate incremental sales when positioned at checkout. Foodservice now accounts for 26.9% of in-store sales, with prepared foods accounting for 71.9% of total foodservice sales.
Elie Katz, the CEO of National Retail Solutions, emphasises the importance of these strategies. Founded in 2014 by Mike Devine, National Retail Solutions offers a range of services including POS, NRS Digital Media, NRS Pay, NRS Funding, NRS Purple, and NRS Petro to help retailers implement these strategies effectively.
Research from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco confirms that weather events demand even faster response, with weather effects on store sales being surprisingly persistent. Retailers need to be ready to adapt quickly to these changes to maintain customer satisfaction and sales.
In conclusion, the fall season presents a unique set of opportunities for convenience stores. By understanding customer patterns, adapting to weather conditions, and implementing strategic merchandising and inventory management, retailers can maximise their profits during this period.
