Blog: Inside the Season: Strategies for Retail Holiday Success
The holiday season is one of the most critical windows for retailers, offering a prime opportunity to capture consumer attention and drive sales. But success doesn’t happen by chance. It requires preparing early, leaning into emerging trends, and creating in-store experiences that spark excitement and connection. As the holidays approach, here are the key methods retailers can use to turn trends into opportunities.
Powered by Protein
Protein is not only the centerpiece of holiday meals but is also appearing in side dishes, snacks, and celebratory spreads. From elevated charcuterie boards to plant-powered entrees, consumers want offerings that balance indulgence with nutrition. For retailers, this means curating assortments highlighting traditional proteins and innovative plant-based alternatives.
Holiday Hydration
More consumers are embracing a “sober-curious” lifestyle. This shift has fueled demand for non-alcoholic beverages such as mocktails, spiced ciders, teas, and sparkling waters infused with functional ingredients like botanicals or adaptogens. In fact, 40% of U.S. adults report cutting back on alcohol to better prioritize their health.
Winter Wellness
With 57% of U.S. shoppers seeking weight management support, and 42% seeking heart health benefits, it’s clear that the opportunity lies in positioning better-for-you products as readily available to help consumers navigate the holidays in a way that makes them feel their best.
Joy to the World
Shoppers aren’t just craving flavor, they’re craving connection and the ability to keep family traditions alive. Products that celebrate cultural authenticity and offer a unique culinary experience can turn ordinary gatherings into occasions that make the holiday season even more memorable.
Seasonal Celebration
Seasonal elements play a key role in how hosts create memorable, impressive experiences for their guests during the holidays. Whether it’s a dish featuring in-season produce or a creative nod to holiday traditions, these thoughtful touches elevate any gathering and make it an event worth remembering.
Brands and retailers that offer creative, crave-worthy products that tie into the holiday spirit are more likely to capture their customers’ attention. Successful seasonal flavors become part of the story. As for new tastes, the more the merrier—especially as viral trends and themed occasions can spur impulse purchases. This creates a sense of urgency, excitement, and social connection where consumers often feel compelled to act quickly before the opportunity passes.
From spiced ciders and maple-glazed snacks to limited-edition peppermint, gingerbread, and cranberry offerings, shoppers are eager to discover festive tastes that evoke nostalgia while delivering something new to their guests.
The Power of In-Store Sampling and Demos
While product trends shape what shoppers want, the in-store experience often determines what they buy. During the holiday rush, in-store demos and sampling can make the difference for driving trials, building bigger baskets, and creating memorable customer interactions.
What works best:
- Engaged Employees: The person behind the sampling station matters. A knowledgeable, approachable staff member can spark conversations, answer questions, and encourage trial.
- Clear Signage and Education: Small signs that explain flavor notes, pairings, or serving suggestions help customers envision how to use the product at home.
- Cross-Merchandising: Pairing products together (cheese with jam, crackers, or wine) demonstrates practical applications and can increase basket size. Sampling only a single product without pairings misses the chance to demonstrate real-life use.
- Recipe Cards and Inspiration: Offering take-home ideas turns a simple sample into a holiday-ready solution.
- Conveniently Placed Items: Stock the sampled items directly at the table for easy impulse buys. During the holiday rush, shoppers rarely want to backtrack.
- Present Festive Items: Sample items that are festive, scalable for large gatherings, and quick to replicate at home.
Today’s consumers value versatility and portability. Snacking solutions, recipe adaptability, and products that fit into busy lifestyles resonate strongly. Retailers can stand out by providing not only samples but also stories, whether it’s how to use a product in multiple ways or how it ties into seasonal traditions.
Bringing It All Together
The holiday season is about more than filling shelves. It’s about creating an experience. Retailers who align with consumer trends while engaging shoppers through in-store activations can make their stores a destination this season. By curating assortments that highlight health, global flavors, seasonal favorites, and festive innovation, and by doubling down on demos that inspire trial and connection, retailers can capture attention, build loyalty, and maximize holiday sales. Now is the time to prepare, as the holidays are approaching quickly. For more information on the latest trends driving consumer interest, view KeHE’s 2025 Holiday Show & Trends guide.