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Have you ever noticed that some months your store is packed, while others are painfully quiet? Maybe your sales spike during the holidays. Or, summer brings a dip. Seasonal trends in retail are nothing new. But predicting them is the real challenge.
What if you could predict spikes and dips with near accuracy? This would help you determine exactly when to stock up on bestsellers, increase staffing, or run a major sale.
That’s where OneHubPOS comes in. With the right data, you can identify peak sales seasons. You can then optimize your inventory before demand hits. Plus, scheduling staff becomes more effective. The result: better profitability during busy periods. Let’s break down how you can use POS data to spot and act on seasonal trends.
Seasonal trends in retail refer to predictable patterns in sales based on the time of year. They are influenced by several factors, including:
Identifying such trends helps you plan better. How? Well, take a boutique clothing store, for example:
But guesswork isn’t enough. You need deep and valuable data.
A retail POS system tracks every sale, product movement, and customer interaction, but how does this translate into seasonal insights? Here’s what your POS data can reveal:
Track daily, weekly, and monthly sales to spot high-traffic periods. For example, if you have a bakery, you might notice a major spike in December due to holiday parties and special orders.
Identify how buying habits shift with the seasons. For example, a specialty store like a toy store may see an increase in family purchases around Christmas but a decline in spring.
Some products sell better at certain times. For instance, a sports store might sell more hiking gear during spring and early summer. But it might see gym equipment sell better in winter.
To identify seasonal trends effectively, rely on these five key reports:
This report breaks down sales by day, week, and month. Here’s how it helps:
How can you use this information? Suppose your March sales drop every year—consider running a Spring Clearance Sale to maintain profitability.
Tracks how individual products perform over time. Suppose sunscreen sales in your convenience store spike every June. But it drops by September. Then, you can adjust your inventory to avoid overstock. This report helps:
A café noticed an increase in weekend sales but found that weekday staff outperformed in upselling. The manager adjusted shifts accordingly. This is where the employee performance report proves useful. This report measures staff productivity, including:
Here’s how it helps:
This report shows purchasing trends based on age, gender, location, and more. For example, a children’s bookstore notices a spike in family shopping in November. Then, it might market holiday book bundles specifically to parents. So, here is how this report helps:
The Profit & Loss (P&L) report is important for understanding revenue vs. expenses. Here's how it helps you:
OneHubPOS offers a user-friendly dashboard designed for data-driven decision-making. Here's how to make the most of it:
Log into OneHubPOS with your credentials: your username and password. Once on the dashboard, navigate to the Reports section in the left-hand menu and click on 'More.'
You'll come across a variety of reports, like sales reports, employee performance reports, day end reports, and many more. If needed, export the data in PDF or Excel format for further analysis.
Apply date filters to compare:
Once you’ve identified trends, you should put those insights into action. Here's how:
Stock up on seasonal bestsellers before demand spikes. Clear out slow movers with timely discounts. For example, a gift shop can pre-order holiday-themed products in bulk after spotting a Q4 sales spike.
Use data from your OneHubPOS handheld systems to time your marketing campaigns perfectly. Promote best-selling seasonal products. For example, a sports store can run a "Back-to-School Sale" for athletic gear based on previous August sales data.
Increase staffing during peak periods. Use employee performance reports to reward top performers. For example, a bakery noticing weekend rushes can schedule its top performers for Saturdays.
Send personalized offers based on past purchasing behavior and run loyalty programs tied to seasonal events. For example, a toy store can offer a "Holiday Gift Guide" with personalized recommendations based on previous purchases.
Sales pattern predictions shouldn’t rely on guesswork. POS data helps you prepare for peak seasons with confidence, keep inventory up to date, and boost profits with smarter marketing strategies. Ready to make smarter sales decisions? Book a demo of OneHubPOS today and discover how easy it is to track seasonal trends!
Roopak Chadha, Director of Business Development with expertise in Business Growth & Strategy, Customer Success, and Product Management. Excels in driving business growth through strategic planning, customer-centric approaches, and effective operational leadership.
