Research has shown that tasteful holiday decorations can actually boost sales. The key is a well-developed holiday décor strategy. To ensure your decorations are tasteful and tactful this holiday season, be sure to avoid these four holiday décor mistakes that retail stores across the country commonly make.
- They leave their Christmas lights on all night. Leaving exterior string lights on all night or leaving candles on in your store windows is a huge energy suck and a nuisance for any residential neighbors you might have who are trying to sleep. As a rule of thumb, turn your Christmas lights on at dusk and turn them off when your store closes.
- They overdo it. Holiday décor is an excellent way to get your customers into the holiday shopping spirit, but the key is not to do overdo it. Going overboard with decorations will make your store seem sloppy and cluttered. Remember, sometimes less is more. Instead of jamming every nook and cranny of your store with a smattering of holiday decorations, you’re much better off strategically placing a few things throughout your store. This will help your decorations stand out while also ensuring that your customers don’t feel overwhelmed.
- They overwhelm their store with red and green. Yes, red and green are the colors most readily associated with the holidays, but no, this does not mean that retailers should exclusively stick to these colors when decorating their stores. Consider how red and green will fit in within your store’s overall color palette and don’t be afraid to consider other options, like silver, gold, navy blue, or even purple. Breaking out of a strict red-and-green paradigm can be a great way to add a unique twist to your décor.
- They forget about kids. Retailers need to think about children’s safety when putting up holiday decorations, particularly if they are likely to have a lot of children wandering through their store this holiday season. Children, especially young children, like to grab absolutely anything and everything that is in sight, so avoid hanging ornaments too low on trees, cut any low-hanging branches at their eye level to prevent inadvertent eye pokes, and hang lights out of reach so children can’t yank them down.
In conclusion, excellent décor is a wise investment this holiday season. The key is avoid these common mistakes in order to maximize the aesthetic appeal of your holiday decorations.
