While it is always candle selling season, in the sense that you sell Candles of Eden products 52 weeks of the year, it is not always “prime” candle selling season. When it is prime candle selling season you have to have a plan for selling that extra SoyLuscious® Soy Candles inventory that you have on hand to meet increased customer demand. When you plan your work and work your plan, you increase the chances that you will sell the amount of soy candles you have forecast for the season. That means greater profits for your retail or spa business.

There are three main reasons why you need a plan to sell your SoyLuscious® Soy Candle and other merchandise inventory. The first reason is that you do not want to have to engage in marking down too much, or any, if possible, merchandise at the end of a selling season. You’re in business to sell as much merchandise as you can at an optimum price point. When you aggressively pursue a plan to sell as much inventory as possible for a pre-determined retail price you ensure the long-term viability of your business. That’s because your sales volume, and profit margin from those sales, are at optimum levels. When you find yourself with an overload of inventory at the end of a season because you did not have a plan in place to sell your stock, it means you will have to markdown stock to clear it out. As a result, you earn less return on your initial investment in that stock.

A second reason you need a selling plan for your inventory is because you do not want stock sitting around on shelves and displays not producing cash flow. As a retail store or spa owner, you always have bills to pay. Whether it’s for heat, hydro, utilities, wages, taxes, license fees, inventory, mortgage, or whatever, you need money flowing in so you can have money flow out to your creditors. Of course, you want to have a good amount left over in the form of pure profit. However, to meet immediate needs in order to keep your business operating you need cash flow. When you have a plan in place to sell your Candles of Eden and other inventory, you keep that inventory moving out the door into customers’ homes. When your products are in their homes, it means they will use them and come back for more. It’s the circle of business and a circle you need to keep spinning so you have the consistent cash flow your business needs. A selling plan keeps you focused on activities that promote product sales.

A third reason you need a selling plan for your inventory is that you want to keep a flow of fresh and new products flowing through your establishment. It’s a simple enough concept and one that has a remarkable effect on your business. Having fresh and new products in your store on a regular business means you keep your customers interested and engaged in your business. They never know what you will offer next, and deep inside, without even saying so, they look forward  in anticipation to what you will spring on them. This keeps your business vibrant and your customers’ always ‘on alert’.

Knowing the three main reasons why you need a selling plan, you should now include three elements into that selling plan. The first element of your selling plan should be a plan to increase the exterior visibility of your SoyLuscious® Soy Candles during prime selling season. That means for this coming fall you will need to have the proper advertising out there where your customers and potential customers are. That means doing the necessary exterior signage, mobile signage, flyer, newspaper, radio, Internet, and other advertising necessary. You need to do exterior advertising that brings customers into the interior of your establishment. Once inside you must have a plan for your interior advertising. This would be advertising in the form of displays, shelf arrangements, interior signage, information pamphlets, brochures, and shelf-talker cards. On top of all of that, you need the third element of your selling plan in place. That third element is trained and knowledgeable staff that is up-to-date on all the features and benefits of your Candles of Eden candles and accessories.

Take the time to have a selling plan for your inventory for the coming prime candle-selling season. When you understand why you need a selling plan and what the three elements of a successful plan are, you will put a proper selling plan into place. That means greater sales of Candles of Eden and other product lines come the fall. Institute that selling plan for your inventory so you can plan that next trip to the bank to where you will put your increased profits.