Innovative Selling Techniques for Slower Sales Times

[DinaLRosenberg]

Every business hits seasonal slowdowns—but those quieter periods can actually spark creativity. Here are a few strategies to keep momentum flowing when foot traffic dips:

 Bundle It Up – Curate themed product bundles (self-care kits, seasonal rituals, “starter packs”) at a slight discount. Customers perceive more value, and you move multiple products at once.

We have great success with bundles and blind bags. We like to theme them up and it helps us remarket merchandise that may be stagnant on its own.

Go Live – Host a live shopping event on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook. Show products in real time, answer questions, and create urgency with limited-time offers.

We've gone live with items/categories we want to discount offering it first to our online community. We did a mega sale on an old jewelry line last week on instagram live and got a lot of the older pieces cleared out.

Surprise & Delight – Add small freebies or samples to orders. Customers love unexpected value, and it encourages repeat business.

Anyone have any fun freebies they offer? 

Exclusive Drops – Introduce limited-edition products or services available only during the slow season. Scarcity drives interest and sales.

I've yet to figure this out- anyone have any tips here?

Anyone have any other ideas? This year's been wild for us- up then down then up then down- like we can't get a handle on what's happening‼

[JTPets]

I am lucky here we are a pet food and supplies business, We are given free samples to give away by the brands to engage the public with their products. Additionally I always have 10% off coupons for use instore or my website, that I give for uber, doordash and skip the dishes orders to convert them to my platform long term. Lastly I have stickers at the counter for free to take. They are the real hit. Adults will spend what feels like hours looking at them sometimes 

[DinaLRosenberg]

We have free stickers with purchase too- -GenX especially loves them.

[Lovewell]

You nailed these! These are awesome options. I also feel like slower times are a great time to connect with your bread and butter clients or customers. Build a stronger loyalty and relationship with them because those are the ones who continue to come in no matter what. 

Maybe introducing a sip and shop with them and a friend? Have a list of your people and send out an invite and then let them know they can bring one person? 

Have drinks available (whatever that looks like) and a little shopping party. 

Also even collab with someone in your similar field and bring them in for some cross promotion. Maybe someone who has a fun boutique (clothing or mugs) not a direct competition but something that compliments your business and have them pop up! 

I see you have a podcast! Do you offer a little discount for anyone who listens in? Or a “listener exclusive” bundle. That would be cool too! 

[doc_choc]

Bundling is always a good one during quieter times, maximizing the reduce footfall in store or online customer volume by upselling or clustering to compensate somewhat for lower customer volumes. We also bundle short date food items or items with lower sales velocities. Helps manage the inventory pressures and waste during the quieter times.