Department Store Event Ideas

Department store events are fun for your customers and beneficial to your business.

Department store events are opportunities to draw dedicated customers to your store while attracting new customers from the community. Events foster a fun sense of community and show them how much their patronage means to your store. They are also an exciting way of showing off the necessity of your valuable merchandise.

Valentine's

Valentine's Day is a great reason to create a special shopping event. During the weeks prior to Valentine's, invite your female customers into your store and set up a special wish list reservation for all of their Valentine's desires. Select a day just before Valentine's, and host a men-only day where they can come into your store, look at the special Valentine's day wish list that their beloved created and select a few items to purchase for their special day together. The event targeys your customers' Valentines day shopping to your department store, while giving you a good idea of which items you will need to stock up on for the special day.

Bread-Making Event

During the first week of spring, select a day for your home fashions department to host a special cooking event. Use the bread makers that are sold in your home fashions department and start cooking early. Let your customers in and by noon you will see new customers walking into your store, drawn by the scent of fresh-cooked bread. Make sure to have plenty of bread makers available to purchase before you begin the event and a back-order system in place, should you run out of floor merchandise.

Easter for the Family

Easter is a time for celebration and an opportunity to breathe new life into the old Easter dress tradition. Designate two areas within your men's suit and women's dress departments and mark these areas with tape on the floor by a specific section of carpet. Hide Easter eggs filled with candy in the pockets of some of the clothes within that section. While mom and dad are being fitted for their new suit or dress, give the kids an Easter basket and let them search the area for Easter candy.

Fourth of July

The Fourth of July is a time for grilling, summer clothes and getting the community together. Move some of your display grills outside and host your own Fourth of July party. Grill plenty of hamburgers and hot dogs for all of your customers and their families and use of some your patio furniture displays for them to sit on while they relax. Your Fourth of July party will bring your customers to your store, while allowing you to show off the seasonal home decor essentials.

References

• One Coast: A Year's Worth of Events
• One Coast: Absolutely Essential Guide to Planning Fabulous Retail Events