Back-to-School Retail Prep for Holiday Success | ThinkTime

New mobile apps to keep an eye on

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What new social media mobile apps are available in 2023?

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Use new social media apps as marketing funnels

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Try out Twitter Spaces or Clubhouse on iPhone

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What app are you currently experimenting on?

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What back-to-school retailers can learn from holiday sales prep (and why they should act—now)  

As back-to-school season approaches, big-box retailers enter a high-pressure environment that mirrors the intensity of the holiday rush. While the two seasons may target different demographics, they share similar operational challenges—and offer a key opportunity for strategic alignment.  

By preparing effectively for BTS, retailers can not only optimize near-term performance but also establish the playbook they’ll rely on during the critical Q4 period.  

1. Demand volatility is a shared headache

Whether it’s notebooks in August or electronics in December, the pressure is the same: demand surges fast and getting inventory right is critical.

The challenge:

  • Short, intense sales cycles
  • Unpredictable consumer behavior
  • External factors (school start dates, economic shifts)

The opportunity:

Use BTS to sharpen your demand forecasting. If your teams can move quickly and make smart, data-informed decisions now, those same systems will deliver when the holiday crowds it.  

2. Supply chains are under the same stress test

Backlogs, freight delays, and inventory imbalances—they're not unique to holiday. BTS puts similar pressure on your logistics, just on a slightly smaller scale.  

Now’s the time to:

  • Identify fulfillment gaps
  • Evaluate supplier performance
  • Build in more flexibility

Retailers who do this early won’t be playing catch-up in November when the cost of delay is much higher.  

3. Labor isn’t a Q4 problem anymore

Seasonal staffing used to be a Q4 issue. But not anymore. Retailers are dealing with talent shortages year-round and BTS is often the first big test of your workforce plan.  

What to watch for:

  • Can you onboard quickly?
  • Are store teams executing consistently?
  • Do temporary hires have clarity on tasks and expectations?

If the answer to any of those is uncertain, it’s better to fix it now than discover the cracks during peak season.

4. Customer expectations are non-negotiable

BTS shoppers expect speed, accuracy, and convenience—just like holiday shoppers. They won’t wait for inventory updates, mispriced items, or long pickup delays.  

This season is your chance to:

  • Test omnichannel execution
  • Align digital and in-store experiences
  • Ensure tasking and signage updates are done correctly

Every delay or misstep in August could become a bigger issue in December. Use this window to tighten operations and remove friction.

5. BTS is more than a sales event—it's a strategy

Think of BTS as a dry run for holiday. The systems, tools, and habits you strengthen now will directly impact your ability to scale when it matters most.  

Where to focus:

  • Fine-tune inventory forecasting
  • Streamline task execution for seasonal teams
  • Stress-test supply chain and fulfillment processes
  • Optimize labor scheduling and communication tools

If it feels like over-preparation, it probably isn’t. The BTS season rewards proactive retailers—and those same lessons often determine who wins Q4.  

Final takeaway

BTS and holiday may look different on the calendar, but they run on the same infrastructure: people, processes, and platforms. The stronger your execution in August, the smoother your performance in December.

The retailers who win Q4 aren’t the ones reacting to it—they’re the ones preparing for it during BTS. Use this moment to find the friction, tighten operations, and build momentum before the real peak hits.

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