
Holiday mugs make great stocking stuffers.
For mom-and-pop stores, that may be easier said than done. However, some retailers are taking advantage of the holiday season by decking the halls with elaborate displays that help draw in customers.
A hardware store in Colorado, for example, does this every year with great success. But thereโs also a retailer in the pool and spa industry who is making the most of Christmas: Seasonal Specialty Store in Foxborough, Mass.
Each year at Seasonal Specialty, youโll find a giant display of Christmas trees by the windows, nutcrackers at the checkout display, a cabinet of holiday-themed mugs and other signs of holiday cheer.
Addressing all the senses, too, is key.
โWe try to create an ambiance,โ says Michael Small, co-owner and partner of Seasonal Specialty. โWe have an old-fashioned popcorn machine. When people come in, we offer them a bag of popcorn for free. We have the old-time Christmas music going. You try to give them the feel between the smell of popcorn, the sound of the music and all the lights.โ
Creating the Christmas display, which has been an integral part of Seasonal Specialty for more than 35 years, is quite a production.
โWe rip the store apart and put it back together again,โ Small says. โWe do Christmas with trees, collectibles, ceramic houses, Byerโs Choice carolers, unique gifts, lights and garland.โ
Pre-lit Christmas trees are a big seller for Seasonal Specialty, and as such, they play a big part in the decor.
โOur trees are like walking through a forest with snowflakes above,โ Small says. โWe shut off all the overhead lights and turn spotlights onto the trees instead. Itโs in front of windows, so if youโre driving by, you see all the trees.โ
It may be a lot of work, but Small knows itโs a big hit among families.
โWe actually have people that take their family Christmas pictures in front of our trees.โ
Byer's Choice Carolers accompany the Christmas music on the store speakers.