Love is in the air, and guess what? Valentine's Day is just around the corner! (14th February, to be precise.) Okay, so I know it's still January, but, like everything else, this romantic day will be here before we know it - and for small businesses, it's best to be ready nice and early. I mean, it definitely can't hurt!
So whether you’re running a handmade jewellery shop, a boutique coffee shop, or a thriving side hustle, now’s the time to prep for this heart-filled holiday. Grab a cuppa, get cosy, and let’s dive into some tips to get your business ready for Valentine’s Day magic...
Get ahead of the game
Use January to plan, stock up, and start promoting your offers for Valentine's Day. Which products sold well in February last year? Candles? Luxury chocolate? Jewellery? Wine? Stock up on your top products in advance to ensure you've got enough in to meet demand - the last thing you want is disappointed customers!
But there will of course be some that leave their purchasing till the last minute (they know who they are...), so put any gift card options you have front and centre too. Don't be afraid to be creative with a new design, from heart graphics to 'Be Mine' messages.
And while you're at it, take a look at what's trending and how that might affect what products sell well. Galentine's Day for example springs to mind, but more on this below...
Wrap it all up
Then, it's worth taking a look at your packaging and refreshing it to make it a bit more romantic - think red and pink for the classic lovey-dovey colour scheme. But if you don't want to completely overhaul your range with all new boxes and bags, simply add some pretty accessories to your existing range, like tissue paper with hearts on it, vibrant shredded box filler, and luxury ribbons.
A little extra effort after all goes a long way in building loyalty - so you could also include a personalised handwritten note or a cute Valentine’s card with each order. And perhaps offer gift-wrapping services or include a 'To/From' tag so customers can ship directly to their loved ones - perfect for any of your customers who are in a long-distance relationship.
Create irresistible bundles
Got your top products sorted? Great! Pop them together in some ready-to-gift bundles to make it really simple for customers to buy. For example, a scented candle + luxury soap = instant relaxation vibes. Packaged together in a nice hamper gift box, a bit of tissue paper, and some ribbon as the finishing touch, this offers your customers the chance to buy all they need for their partner in one go. How easy is that?
And how about making some limited-edition goodies? Add a special Valentine’s product to your range, like a heart-shaped version of your bestseller (could be a delicious cookie with some equally delicious pink icing - bonus points if you can add a name!). Exclusive deals always go down well, especially when they're romantic. Let customers know what offers you've got going on with social media posts and email campaigns to make sure no one misses out.
Spread the love in-store and online
Having loads of Valentine's Day products in is great, but why not liven up your retail space too? It always feels a bit sad when we take down the Christmas decorations, so replace that empty feeling with some romance-themed decor. It's way more fun to make them yourself too, so use recycled cardboard, paper, or tissue paper to cut out some pretty love hearts and stick these on windows and around doors.
You could also use chalkboards or printed signs to add messages like 'Love is in the air!', 'Deals you'll love', or 'Roses are red, violets are blue...' etc, to promote your products and deals. Use fresh or faux flowers to create a lush floral display in-store, or even crumple up some tissue paper to make a heart design, like the simply gorgeous one below...
But it's not just your physical retail space, it's worth making your website look irresistible too. Create a Valentine's Day section with gift ideas, bestsellers, and special offers, with banners on your homepage directing people to it. Don’t forget to highlight cut-off dates for orders as well as any last-minute delivery options - a lifesaver for forgetful partners!
Use social media too to boost engagement - whether it's by running polls on the best way to celebrate, sharing reviews from happy, loved-up customers, or launching a giveaway. Using relevant hashtags to increase visibility, like #ValentinesDay, #BeMine, and #GalentinesDay.
Valentine’s Day is also a great time to remind your customers why they love supporting your small business - so highlight how your products and packaging are kind to the planet and share how your business supports local suppliers or gives back to the community. Mother Nature needs some love too!
And don't forget about Galentine's Day!
What's Galentine's Day, you ask? In the words of Leslie Knope from Parks and Rec (a personal fave US sitcom of mine, which made this particular term popular), it's only the best day of the year! It falls on 13th February, the day before Valentine's Day, and, to quote Leslie, it's all about: "Ladies celebrating ladies. It's like Lilith Fair, minus the angst."
So can you get involved as a small business? Absolutely! Many gifts you're selling for Valentine's also work for Galentine's of course, or you could highlight some that are more specific to BFFs. Either way, encourage your customers to buy presents for their pals this February, as well as (or instead of) a partner. To quote Leslie again: "It's wonderful, and it should be a national holiday." I couldn't agree more.
Love is in the air
So with a little prep and a lot of heart, your small business can make this Valentine’s (and Galentine's) Day a win for both you and your customers.
Need a hand with sustainable packaging or creative ideas? We’re here to help (and we love talking about this stuff). Let’s make your Valentine’s packaging as swoon-worthy as your products - shop our Valentine's Day gift boxes, bags, wrapping, and accessories here.