25% of SME retailers are gearing up for a leap in sales over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend as it becomes an important shopping date in the ecommerce calendar according to a study commissioned by Royal Mail. This optimistic outlook comes as Easter increasingly establishes itself as one of the major shopping calendar moments for both online and bricks-and-mortar retailers.
“Although predominantly a time for celebration and family gatherings, Easter bank holiday weekend is now a key moment in the evolving ecommerce calendar. At Royal Mail, we support businesses across the UK and internationally. It’s encouraging to see that SMEs are fully geared up for the opportunities the upcoming long weekend presents.”
– A spokesperson for Royal Mail Parcels
DIY items, electronics and (hardly suprisingly!) alcohol are the products SME retailers expect to sell over the Easter bank holiday weekend. SMEs anticipate sales in these categories as Brits engage in the traditional Easter Bank Holiday activities of home improvement and relaxation.
The study found that almost seven in ten SME retailers feel they are fully prepared for the Easter bank holiday weekend opportunity in terms of ensuring they have adequate stock and shipping facilities in place. Of these, 5% have hired additional staff to help manage order processing and fulfilment.
The expected additional demand means that many small business owners will be unable to put their feet up over the Easter break. Almost six in ten (58%) retail decision makers said that they expected to be working at least one of the days over the bank holiday weekend compared to a third (36%) of all SMEs including non-retail. In fact, almost one-fifth (18%) of SME retailers expect to be working all four days of the bank holiday weekend to ensure that orders are fulfilled and delivered on time, compared to 12% of SME decision makers in general.
With four day’s worth of orders to ship, Tuesday will be a maga despatch day for most retailers. If you’re not already, make sure you’re fully stocked up on packaging supplies to get you through the weekend and early part of next week.
Finally, it is the Easter Bank Holiday – If you’re one of the SMEs intending to work all four days, try to take some time to spend with family. Even if you’re not celebrating the religious side of Easter, taking a break and returning to work refreshed is good for us all. The orders will still be there when you get back on Tuesday!
