Holiday Guide

Holiday Promotional Ideas for Liquor Stores

Roopak Chadha
November 28, 2024
1 mins

Table of Content

It’s time to deck the aisles and uncork the bottles. After all, you need to turn your liquor store into a festive hub for customers preparing for Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas parties, and New Year’s Eve celebrations. The festive season is a golden opportunity to boost sales while creating memorable experiences for your customers.  

But let’s face it: every liquor store in your area will be competing for attention. That’s where creative holiday promotions, powered by OneHubPOS, can help you stand out. The ideas in this blog will help you maximize revenue while spreading holiday joy.  

1. "Cheers to Discounts" Holiday Sale  

Discounts are the quickest way to get customers reaching for their wallets. But why not give your promotions a festive twist? A tiered discount structure encourages customers to spend more while giving them a great deal. Here’s how you can make it work:

  • Start with 10% off for customers who buy three bottles, increasing to 20% off for six bottles or more.  
  • Highlight holiday must-haves like Thanksgiving dinner wines or Christmas dessert liquors to make the deals irresistible.  
  • Create themes such as “Stock the Bar for Santa” or “Thanksgiving Wine Pairings.”  

Discounts on wine at Empire Wine and Liquor Superstore, Connecticut

To make this even better, you can show customers exactly how much they saved with each transaction. Moreover, you can add a “next visit” discount coupon at the bottom of the receipt to keep them coming back.  

 OneHubPOS applies the right discounts at checkout, even if customers mix and match products. It also helps you track your stock of popular items like mulled wine mixes or eggnog liqueurs to avoid running out. The retail POS system allows for quick and accurate ID checks, reassuring customers that your store prioritizes responsible selling. 

Pro-tip: Combine the discounts with themed promotions, such as a "12 Bottles of Christmas" challenge, where customers receive increasing discounts as they buy more bottles over time.

2. Gift Set Bundles  

Everyone loves a thoughtful gift. And holiday bundles are a win-win for you and your customers. These pre-packaged sets save customers time. But for you, they increase average transaction value. Here are promotional ideas for bundles:

  • Include miniature bottles of premium liquors or seasonal favorites like peppermint schnapps. You may name it the "Holiday Spirits Sampler."
  • Create a "Thanksgiving Toast Kit" that features a bottle of wine, a pair of glasses, and a Thanksgiving-themed bottle stopper.
  • Offer a "Cocktail Enthusiast Bundle" that includes a premium liquor, cocktail shaker, and mixer.  
  • Consider offering DIY customization. Let customers build their bundles from a curated selection.  

Tequila gift set bundle by the Nestor Liquor store

OneHubPOS can help you track which bundles sell best. For example, if your "Craft Beer Sampler" sells quickly, you’ll know to prioritize similar items next year. The mPOS system can also suggest add-ons during checkout, like:

  • festive packaging
  • recipe cards
  • holiday-themed bottle openers
  • decorative wine stoppers
  • gift bags or boxes
  • cocktail shaker sets
  • miniature bottles of spirits
  • garnish kits having olives, cherries, and citrus peels
  • ice molds for specialty drinks
  • drink recipe books or cards
  • glassware, like wine glasses and whiskey tumblers
  • personalized bottle labels
  • pre-packaged snacks, like nuts and chocolates
  • holiday-themed coasters
  • bottle chillers or coolers
  • seasonal drink mixers
  • reusable shopping bags with holiday designs  

Pro-tip: Promote bundles with creative names and attractive packaging to make them gift-ready. Add small extras, such as recipe cards or garnishes, to enhance their appeal.

3. "Spin to Win" In-Store Raffles  

Raffles add excitement to the shopping experience. They create a sense of fun and engagement. Plus, everyone loves the chance to win something special. Here’s how it works:

  • Customers who spend over a certain amount, such as $50, get a chance to spin a prize wheel.  
  • Prizes can range from mini liquor bottles to holiday-themed merchandise, like branded glasses or ornaments.  
  • Consider tying the theme to the holidays, such as a "Spin for Christmas Cheer" or a Thanksgiving gratitude raffle.  

Additionally, you can ask participants to provide their email addresses for prize notifications. Later, use this data to send holiday-themed promotions or discounts. Your handheld POS system can help you track how much revenue this promotion generates compared to non-raffle days.  

Pro-tip: Incorporate a social media element. Encourage customers to post photos of their spins and tag your liquor store for a chance to win a bonus prize.  

4. Holiday Countdown Deals  

Countdowns add anticipation and urgency. And during the holiday season, it’s like an advent calendar for your customers, but with better rewards! Here’s what you can do:

  • Run a daily deal from December 1 to 25, featuring a different product each day. Examples include:  some text
    •  Day 1: 10% off on all Merlot.  
    •  Day 2: Buy one, get one free on craft beers.  
    •  Day 3: $5 off holiday-themed liqueurs.  
  • Add Thanksgiving-specific countdowns in November to cater to early holiday shoppers.  

Coupons at Crossroads Wine and Spirits, New York

The OneHubPOS mobile POS system tracks which daily deals resonate with customers. You can adjust next year’s promotions accordingly. You can also send emails about upcoming deals to encourage repeat visits throughout the month.  

Pro-tip: Create social media posts or email campaigns to announce each day’s deal, building anticipation and driving foot traffic.  

5. New Year’s Eve Party Packages  

Help your customers host the ultimate New Year’s Eve bash with curated party packages that make their celebrations effortless. Here’s what you can include  

  • Champagne or sparkling wine, along with mixers like juices and sodas
  • Party favors such as hats, noise-makers, or sparklers
  • A non-alcoholic “Mocktail Starter Kit” for designated drivers

POS Analytics reports can help you identify which packages are hits. Then, you can adjust inventory for last-minute shoppers. You can restock top-sellers like sparkling wines and cocktail mixers before they run out.  

Pro-tip: Offer add-ons like ice buckets, cocktail recipe cards, or glassware to enhance your packages and increase their value.  

6. "Holiday Jackpot" Scratchers Promotion  

Pairing liquor purchases with lottery tickets adds an exciting twist to holiday shopping. Here’s how:

  • Offer a free scratcher for purchases over $50.  
  • Market it as the "Holiday Jackpot Combo," combining the thrill of a lottery win with a festive drink.  
  • Display winning odds or recent payouts in-store to add to the excitement. 

OneHubPOS enables LOTO Management, which accurately tracks scratcher payouts and sales.   

7. Exclusive Member Pricing  

Membership programs help drive customer loyalty. They make shoppers feel like they’re getting VIP treatment, especially during the holidays. 

  • Offer exclusive discounts to members, such as 10% off all purchases or early access to limited-edition holiday items.  
  • Run a special holiday promotion for new memberships, offering immediate discounts or freebies for signing up.
  • Display both regular and member prices on receipts to show the value of membership, such as:some text
    • Regular Price: $15.99 | Member Price: $13.99 | You Saved: $2.00
    • As a Member, You Saved $12.00 Today! | Not a Member? Sign up at the counter and start saving!
    • Today’s Savings: $5.50 | Total Savings This Year: $47.25

OneHubPOS’ cloud POS solution allows dual pricing, so it automatically applies the correct pricing tier at checkout. It can also track member purchases to send personalized holiday offers.  

8. "Pour & Pay" Tastings  

Holiday tastings create an inviting in-store experience, allowing customers to discover new products. A pay-by-weight system adds flexibility and ensures transparency. Here’s how you can organize this holiday event:

  • Host tastings for premium or seasonal products like mulled wine, eggnog liqueurs, or spiced rums.
  • Charge customers by the ounce. Let them sample multiple options without committing to a full bottle.  

Wine Tasting at The Wine Concierge

OneHubPOS allows weight scale integration. So, it can measure ounces poured and calculate the exact charge instantly. With sales tracking, you can also analyze which products perform best to inform future inventory decisions.  

Pro-tip: Offer discounts on full-sized bottles to customers who make a purchase after the tasting event.

Make This Holiday Season Count  

From Thanksgiving feasts to Christmas parties and New Year’s Eve celebrations, the holiday season is your liquor store’s time to offer creative promotions. With the capabilities of your POS system, you can enhance customer experiences and boost sales. 

Whether it’s simplifying transactions, tracking inventory, or personalizing offers, OneHubPOS can make this holiday season unforgettable. From automated discounts and real-time inventory tracking to smooth age verification and scratcher payouts, OneHubPOS has all the tools your liquor store needs to boost sales and delight customers this festive season. 

Get started today with OneHubPOS at just $1 and make your holidays stress-free!

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AUTHOR
Roopak Chadha
Director of Business Development - OneHubPOS

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.

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