Planning Your December Listings Early

For a lot of sellers December is the busiest month of the year. Buyers are shopping for themselves, for partners and for the fun of the season, and the shops that do best are usually the ones that planned before the rush began.

Decide what you will offer

Look back at what sold well last winter and build around it. A small festive range, such as a themed photo set or a seasonal colour of a best seller, gives regular buyers something new without stretching you too thin.

Set your last posting dates

Postal services publish their Christmas cut off dates every year. Work out your own last order date from them, leave a day or two of margin, and put it in your shop policy and your listing descriptions so nobody is disappointed.

Plan your own time off

Decide now which days you will not be posting or replying, and say so clearly. Buyers are understanding when they know what to expect, and you will enjoy the break more if your shop is not quietly piling up messages.

Prepare photos in advance

Shoot your festive listings in November when you have time to get them right. Good light is scarce in December evenings, and rushed photos rarely sell as well.

Keep regular stock available

Not every buyer wants tinsel. Keep your usual favourites listed alongside the seasonal range, so the people who come to you for your everyday style still find exactly what they wanted.