From fresh, juicy watermelons in the summer to the warm, comforting aroma of pumpkin spice in the fall, nothing beats the feeling of walking into a grocery store and being greeted by seasonal displays.
Stocking seasonal products creates an annual wave of excitement and anticipation for customers, while also translating to increased sales for grocery store owners.
But how do you make the most of each season’s offerings? Here are five tips to effectively manage your seasonal stock and keep those shoppers coming back year-round.
To understand what to stock on your shelves, you need a better grasp of what your customers are actually shopping for (and when).
Surveys and focus groups are a classic strategy to better understand your clientele, but your point of sale (POS) system can help you take a data-driven approach, identifying top-selling items and any other relevant yearly trends specific to your grocery store.
Are shoppers drawn to sweet treats during the holiday season? Do they prioritize fresh, local produce as soon as it comes into season?
In addition to tracking sales trends, consider implementing a loyalty program to incentivize return visits and give you detailed insights into purchase history and buying behaviors. Your POS system should integrate with customer loyalty cards or automatically track points to give shoppers discounts, exclusive deals, or other promotions unique to their loyalty status.
Related Read: 6 Customer Loyalty Programs for Small Business Groceries (+ How To Implement)
Here are a few ideas to leverage your loyalty program with seasonal offerings:
Creating data-driven seasonal sales fosters stronger connections with customers and better inventory management since you won’t needlessly stock nonessentials.
Another part of effectively stocking seasonal products is staying flexible and adjusting to changing market demands.
While industry events and online resources offer general insights, your POS system provides actionable data to make the best decisions for your grocery store. With historical sales data, you can analyze past performance and predict future demand instead of just guessing what customers might want next year.
That data then informs how you implement flexible discounts. If, for example, oranges are selling well during citrus season, but grapefruit isn’t, you can adjust prices and promotions in real time, quickly reacting to those market shifts.
As you shift seasonal products around your store for better visibility, use your POS system’s built-in search engine to find any item quickly, whether on the floor or ringing up during checkout.
If loyal shoppers ask where certain produce has moved, your team can provide quick, correct answers, keeping their shopping trip positive even with layout changes.
By its nature, seasonal produce has a limited lifespan — this makes inventory management even more important compared to traditional year-round stock.
Your POS system should support expiration date and lot control — a feature that lets you and your team track product lifespans so you can prioritize stocking your freshest seasonal products.
To prevent overstocking and waste, particularly with products experiencing fluctuating demand, look for a POS system that includes case break functionality to break down larger cases into smaller, more manageable units.
As a practical example, say you have a shipment of seasonal leafy greens, like kale or spinach, arriving with varying expiration dates. Using your POS’ expiration date tracking, you can identify the batches that need to be sold first and place them in an attractive display at the front of your store.
Fresh, colorful produce naturally attracts attention — but strategic presentation takes it one step further.
Use tiered displays to showcase various seasonal fruits and vegetables, and incorporate natural elements like wooden crates or woven baskets to create a more rustic, inviting atmosphere.
To determine which displays need extra attention, use POS data to see which products have high sales volumes but low visual placement, or items with low sales despite high quality. This data can pinpoint areas where better signage, lighting, or display arrangements could improve sales.
Related Read: 6 Creative Grocery Store Displays To Drive More Sales
If your POS data reveals a surge in organic apple sales during autumn, you could build a prominent display near your store’s entrance with signage highlighting local sourcing and unique varieties.
Similarly, if a seasonal herb like fresh basil is selling slowly, despite its high quality and relevance to summer recipes, create a dedicated display near the tomatoes and mozzarella, complete with recipe cards and pairing suggestions.
Building relationships with local farmers is a great way to get a consistent supply of fresh, high-quality seasonal produce, giving you first access to in-demand items that larger chains might not carry.
Direct partnerships also often mean faster delivery times and fresher products, reducing waste and enhancing your store's reputation for quality.
Want to connect with local producers? Start by visiting farmers markets and community gardens to introduce yourself and see what produce is available in your area. Agricultural extension offices and chambers of commerce can also provide directories and assist with introductions for mutually beneficial partnerships.
Once you've gotten some connections, consider these promotional ideas:
These strategies let you build long-lasting partnerships, strengthening your grocery store’s community ties while also getting a consistent supply of premium seasonal offerings.
Stocking seasonal products lets you connect with customers and drive sales, but it’s most powerful when there’s data behind your decisions.
From understanding customer buying habits through historical sales data to minimizing waste with effective inventory management, the right strategies and tech (like your POS system) create a shopping experience that properly celebrates each season’s offerings.
If you’re interested in a POS system designed by grocers, for grocers, schedule a demo with one of our IT Retail specialists — or use our build and price tool to create your own custom quote.