According to GiftBeat, 80% of independent retailers a hopeful for a good, all-important fourth quarter this year, 20% better than this time in 2025. Seventy-five percent of store owners surveyed plan to match last year’s event schedule this fall, leaning into anniversary celebrations, fall festivals and community collaborations to turn casual shoppers into dedicated regulars.
Their optimism is based on the good sales numbers reported at the end of second quarter in June. GiftBeat publisher and editor Erica Kirkland writes, “Maintaining that strength into the critical fourth quarter requires sharp execution across every level of your operation. The battle for great seasonal talent starts right now. As retailers in this issue share, winning strategies rely on recruiting within your inner circle, tapping students and teachers, providing flexible hours and paying competitive wages to lock in reliable help before the holiday rush takes over.”
