How to Use Seasonal Products to Boost Your Bakery’s Sales

Are you thinking about selling seasonal products but don’t know where to start? Don’t you worry, dear baker, because we have your back. In this post, we’ll take a look at how to use seasonal baked products to boost your sales. Trust us― products like Valentine’s cakes and summer coolers can make a huge difference with the right techniques.

What Are Seasonal Products?

As the term suggests, seasonal products are items usually sold during different seasons or occasions. They usually sell more during certain times of the year. Their sale can also change because of weather, events, or holidays.

Seasonal baked products are not available at any time of the year since many of them are made of seasonal ingredients. 

Seasonal products are usually divided into two categories: strong seasonal and weak seasonal. Strong seasonal products are generally available during certain periods of the year. On the other hand, weak seasonal products are usually available throughout the year. However, their prices usually change depending on the season.

In addition, seasonal products don’t just depend on the climate. For instance, fruit cake and mango graham cake are popular during Christmas, but the latter is also popular during summer. 

People also tend to spend more during seasons than on regular days. For instance, research shows that Filipinos tend to spend 100% of their monthly income during Christmas. 

This change in customer behavior gives baking business owners to run seasonal promos. For example, since people love to spend during Christmas, you can focus on your seasonal products during the last quarter of the year. 

Of course, Christmas isn’t the only time when Filipinos spend more. Here are the periods during which you can use seasonal baked products to boost your sales: 

• Christmas
• New Year’s
• Chinese New Year
• Valentine’s Day
• Summer
• Back to School
• Halloween
• Graduation
• Holy Week

You can run limited-time promotions and discounts each season and offer seasonal products like graduation cakes, bloody cupcakes, and bunny cakes. 

How to Use Seasonal Products to Boost Your Bakery’s Sales

Seasonal products are one of the best-kept secrets of the baking world. They keep your bakery fresh and fun while helping you boost your sales. Here’s how to use them to increase your revenue: 

1. Use them for user-generated content.

User-generated content (UGC) is everywhere. You can see lots of creators doing them, and they’re popular for a reason: people love watching things they can relate to. 

Unlike polished, camera-ready content, UGC is close to consumers’ hearts because they’re made of people just like them. As a result, UGC is a popular marketing tool, especially on social media.

So take advantage of it and feature your seasonal bakery products. For instance, you can run a social media campaign in which you encourage your followers to upload reviews of your seasonal products. Don’t forget to remind them to use specific hashtags and tag your pages so others know where those delicious treats come from. You can also use that content to run other campaigns for your bakery, even after the season ends. 

2. Make seasonal products a category in your online store.

Your online stores are the digital representative of your physical bakery. Since you’re putting your seasonal baked products up on a board and hanging posters of them in your bakery, why not do it in your online store, too?

Put up a category on your online store to guide your fans to seasonal baked products relevant to each season, occasion, or holiday. Whether it’s on your website, Facebook page, or TikTok shop, make sure to separate seasonal items from regular items to avoid confusion. For instance, you can put up a Christmas category that features all your holiday offers.

Also, emphasize that they’re available for a certain period for that sense of urgency. This lets your customers know that they can only enjoy that treat on a deadline, encouraging them to buy ASAP. 

3. Release a countdown.

Nothing builds anticipation as much as a countdown. 

Let your customers count down the days until your next seasonal promo or event. This will create hype around your seasonal items and make people excited about what’s to come. 

So, don’t forget to promote your seasonal products on your website, social media pages, and bakery in advance. Put up a digital countdown timer, tease them with posts every day, and hang posters. 

You can also release sneak peeks or behind-the-scenes glimpses of your preparation. Share stories or feature your team working hard to create these special items. This involves your customers in the journey and connects them more with your products. 

Additionally, you can do polls or quizzes related to your seasonal launch. Let your followers guess the new flavors or vote for their favorite seasonal baked products. This will keep people interested and excited for the big reveal. Whatever you do, get the word out before releasing your seasonal products. 

4. Nail those Instagrammable photos.

You know what they say: we eat with our eyes first! Make your seasonal treats look tasty and share-worthy. 

Think about vibrant colors, cute decorations, and unique photos. For example, you can place your Easter cupcakes on pastel-colored mats. For that extra punch, add cute themed toppers, like mini fondant bunnies, carrots, chicks, and eggs. Don’t forget to consider the backdrop as well. 

Trust us: when your goodies look this good, customers can’t resist sharing them on social media. As usual, ask your customers to share these photos and create a dedicated hashtag for your bakery. 

5. Do seasonal promos.

Think about offering special deals that go with seasons, special events, or holidays. For example, you can do a “Buy One, Get One Free” deal on Christmas-themed cookies in December or a discount on mom-themed cakes during Mother’s Day.

As usual, get the word out through your social media pages, website, and physical store. You can also create a sense of urgency by making these deals available for a few days only. This encourages customers to get their hands on them sooner rather than later.

You can also work with other local businesses for cross-promotions. For example, team up with a flower shop to offer a special combo deal featuring your heart-shaped cakes during Valentine’s. Doing this helps you reach more people and bring in new customers who might not have visited your bakery otherwise.

6. Use them to get more loyal customers.

Loyal customers are a goldmine. Imagine having fans who keep coming back to you for their baked treats needs. And yes, you can use seasonal baked products to get loyal customers even if you sell them for a limited time.

So how do you do this? Simple: create a seasonal loyalty program. Under this program, customers get a stamp or punch for each seasonal item they buy. Once they’ve collected enough stamps, they can get a free treat or discount on their next purchase even after the season ends. 

This rewards repeat visits and creates excitement around your seasonal items. Customers will also look forward to the next season’s treats. More people will visit your bakery to collect more stamps. You can even offer exclusive previews or early access to new seasonal items for loyal members, making them feel special.

7. Let them promote your brand.

Create lasting impressions using seasonal products. Design special packaging for your seasonal items that show your bakery’s branding. For example, during the Christmas season, you can use boxes decorated with snowflakes and holly, with a cheerful holiday message, your logo, and your tagline. 

In addition, when customers get beautiful, packaged treats as gifts for friends and family, your brand gets more exposure. It’s a subtle yet effective way to reach potential customers. You can also include a small card inside each box with a discount code for their next purchase. 

8. Give out free seasonal samples.

Who can resist a free sample? We know we can’t.

Setting up a free sample corner in your bakery with bite-sized versions of your seasonal treats is a great way to attract customers. Offer these samples throughout the day, especially during peak hours. 

For example, you can offer slices of lemon bars or bite-sized pandan coconut cookies during summer. When customers get a taste of these refreshing treats, they’re more likely to make a purchase. You can also use them to get real-time feedback from your customers.

In addition, you can take your sampling efforts beyond your bakery’s doors. Join local events or farmers’ markets to offer your samples to more people. This can help attract new customers who might not have discovered your bakery otherwise. Remember to have plenty of business cards or flyers on hand to hand out with your samples.

9. Decorate your bakery with seasonal themes.

Transform your bakery into a seasonal wonderland to create an inviting atmosphere. Decorate your shop with elements that match the current season and your themed products. 

For example, you can decorate your bakery with seashells, sandcastles, and surfboards during summer. For Valentine’s Day, think about putting up heart-shaped balloons, red and pink flowers, and cupid cutouts. You can also use themed tablecloths and banners for that extra romantic kick.

You can also update your display cases and signage to match the seasonal theme. Use chalkboards or digital screens to showcase your items with fun, themed illustrations and descriptions. 

When people walk into your shop and see it all decked out for the season, they get in the mood to buy festive treats. Plus, a well-decorated bakery makes for great social media content for you and your customers.

10. Bundle seasonal products with popular items.

Creating product bundles that include seasonal items along with your bestsellers is a smart way to boost your sales. These bundles give people more value and encourage them to try something new with their favorite treats. For example, you can bundle a New Year’s Eve-themed cake pop with artisanal garlic bread for sweet and savory flavors to ring in the new year.

You can also offer all-in-one, limited-time bundle deals for special occasions. For instance, you can sell a Valentine’s Day package that includes a heart-shaped cake, a box of truffles, flowers, a teddy bear, and a personalized love note. These thoughtful bundles make for perfect gifts and can drive sales during special days. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Decorating your bakery with seasonal themes, offering irresistible promotions, and creating Instagram-worthy treats are just a few ways to make the most of your seasonal baked products. 

By engaging with your customers, offering loyalty programs, and thinking outside the box with your marketing strategies, you can turn seasonal buyers into loyal customers. Remember, it’s not just about selling treats; it’s about creating an experience that keeps customers coming back for more. So, get creative, have fun, and watch your bakery thrive. Happy selling!