Organize Your Bakery for the Holiday Rush

Organize Your Bakery for the Holiday Rush: Quick and Efficient Service While Driving Impulse Sales

Getting your bakery holiday-ready takes planning, especially with a surge in prepaid orders and in-store traffic. The goal is two-fold: to create an efficient, fast-moving experience for those collecting preorders, while still capturing additional impulse sales from both preorder customers and those shopping last minute.

Here’s a collection of strategies gathered from bakery operators and industry research to help you maximize this holiday season with organized, speedy service and plenty of holiday upsell opportunities.

Fulfillment and Order Packing for a Smooth Operation

Success starts with the prep and organization of your prepaid orders. Here are a few operational tips:

1. Implement a Prepayment Policy: If you don’t already, have customers pay at the time of ordering. This ensures faster pickup and reduces no-shows, allowing for a fair and effective cancellation policy.
2. Create a Designated Storage Area: Don’t’ be afraid to rearrange shelving or set up temporary storage near the retail counter for easy access. Keeping pre-packed orders separate from store stock minimizes confusion during the busiest hours. Pro Tip: Outfit all your racks with wheels so they can easily be moved around. Constantly condensing your orders and store stock throughout a busy holiday is crucial in keeping your customer flow fast and efficient and sales as high as possible.
3. Organize Orders by Number Instead of Name: For efficient order retrieval, use a numeric system rather than alphabetizing names. BakeSmart allows you to print additional order copies. Stack them by customer last name, assign each order a number (e.g., last names beginning with “A” are 1, “B” are 2), and label each box/bag with the number their order has been assigned. Staff can then find their customer’s order in the stack and use the numbered order as a guide to grab all components. Pro Tip: Train your team to point out all items in their order to their customer as they hand the order to them, this should help catch missing items.
4. Utilize Barcode Tracking: With BakeSmart’s Item Tracker and barcode capabilities, assign barcodes to shelves in storage/staging areas and update orders’ storage locations as needed throughout the day.
5. Label ‘Ordered’ Items Clearly: For popular non-custom holiday items, pull a report of preorders, pack, and label each item as “Ordered,” and store on designated racks. Keep store stock and ordered items in separate areas so your staff doesn’t confuse the two groups of the same products. Pro tip: Assign one staff member to solely focus on filling your cases, grab-n-go and other areas around your store front. You can’t sell what’s sitting on a tray or rack in the back of your shop!

Front-of-House Strategies to Manage Customer Flow

With the back-end setup, let’s move to managing the front. A well-structured customer flow in your retail area can mean the difference between a smooth operation and holiday chaos.

1. Designate Separate Lines for Prepaid Pick-Ups: Having a clear, separate line for prepaid orders is essential. Use large, bold signage for easy navigation, so customers know which line to join without needing assistance.
2. Communicate the Pickup Process in Advance: Once your holiday pickup plan is set, communicate it through email, text, or phone reminders. Let customers know where to go when they arrive. This also gives you the opportunity to promote special holiday items available for purchase during order pick-up.
3. Assign Team Members to Specific Roles:
   • Greeter: Place a team member at the entrance to guide customers to the correct line.
   • Line Walker for Add-On Sales: Station a team member to offer add-ons like holiday cookies or special bakery bundles. This way, customers in the prepaid line don’t miss the chance to shop.
   • Use a Numbered System for Pick-Up: When a customer checks in, give them a slip with their assigned order number, allowing them to browse while their order is gathered. They only need to make one stop for both pickups and extra purchases.
   • Provide Curbside Assistance: Assign staff to help customers carry their orders to their cars. This added service speeds up parking turnover, ensuring space for more guests.

Create a Festive In-Store Experience

1. Play Holiday Music: Studies show that holiday music encourages shoppers to buy. Use a simple Bluetooth speaker to play festive tunes or partner with local schools for live caroling. This enhances the holiday experience and entices spending. Pro Tip: Tap into your sales team for playlists that can be curated to fit the vibe you want to set in your shop.
2. Offer Samples: Sampling is a proven way to increase sales. Place samples of popular holiday items near the pick-up line or counter to tempt customers into extra purchases. Pro-Tip: double the role of the greeter and have them hold a tray of samples!
3. Free Coffee Station: A complimentary coffee or cocoa station creates a warm, inviting atmosphere. It’s a thoughtful touch that keeps customers happy and enhances their in-store experience.

Boost Sales Through Strategic Bundling and Upselling

The holidays are perfect for promoting ready-made bundles that make your customers’ holiday prep easier. Equip staff with these upsell opportunities:

1. Create Holiday Bundles: Offer themed packages like a “Holiday Morning” set with donuts and coffee beans or “Hostess Gifts” with gift cards and seasonal treats. Train your sales team to offer one of these bundles to every customer at check out. Pro Tip: Create a competition between sales team and whomever sells the most Holiday Bundles get a paid day off the following month!
2. Promote Gift Card Sales: Display gift cards prominently at the counter, and offer bulk discounts. They’re an easy add-on for customers picking up orders.

With a little preparation, clear communication, and a focus on festive customer service, your bakery can be ready to tackle the holiday rush, deliver fast, efficient service, and take advantage of impulse sales.