Summer is here, and while the warm weather brings people outdoors, it might leave your pastry shop feeling a bit deserted. School’s out, for one, and families tend to go on vacation during this time, too.
Fortunately, a slow summer doesn’t have to mean a lack of business. With a bit of creativity and some strategic planning, you can turn those lazy, hazy days into a bustling, profitable season. Here are a few tips and tricks that can help keep your pastry shop thriving all summer long:
Offer Pastry Boxes and Delivery
One of the most effective ways to boost your sales during a slow summer is by offering convenient and attractive pastry boxes. These curated selections of your finest treats are perfect for customers who want a variety of delicious options without the hassle of choosing them individually.
To make the most out of this idea, you can create pastry boxes with a seasonal theme. For example, a "Summer Delight" box could include items like lemon bars, strawberry tarts, and peach scones. This not only highlights your seasonal offerings but also makes for an appealing, cohesive package.
You can also market your pastry boxes as great gifts for summer birthdays, picnics, or just to brighten someone’s day. Attractive packaging and a note from your shop can go a long way towards adding a personal touch that your customers will surely appreciate!
Another way to keep your pastry shop relevant even during a slow season is to offer delivery services. This can significantly expand your customer base, reaching those who might not have the time to visit your shop in person. You can implement an easy-to-use online ordering system on your website, or partner up with popular delivery apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or GrubHub to keep treats going out the door to a ready-made customer base that trusts these platforms for their food deliveries.
Here at A Specialty Box, we offer a wide variety of pastry boxes to choose from, in various colors and sizes. They’re the perfect way to house and display your offerings, and they keep your treats safe while they’re in transit, too!
Embrace Seasonal Offerings
Offering seasonal treats is a great way to attract customers to your pastry shop in the summer! The season is all about fresh and vibrant flavors, so it’s a good time to make the most out of what’s available in the market, like strawberries, blueberries, mangoes, peaches, coconuts and more. Consider creating a special summer menu featuring items like berry tarts, peach cobbler, and lemon bars. These refreshing options are perfect for hot days and can entice passersby looking for a sweet, cool treat.
It’s also a good idea to keep in mind that when the temperature rises, nobody wants a steaming hot coffee or a warm pastry. Summer is a good time to expand your existing menu to bring iced drinks and chilled desserts to the table – think iced lattes, cold brews, and fruit smoothies. As for pastries, how about offering chilled cheesecake slices or ice cream sandwiches? These items can be a big hit and keep customers coming back for more.
Host Summer Events
Looking for a way to generate some buzz around your pastry shop and get more customers in the door? Why not consider hosting in-house events? Organizing themed nights or workshops is relatively easy and doesn't cost much, either; they offer opportunities to draw in customers with memorable experiences that can encourage repeat visits.
On themed nights, you can unveil your seasonal offerings under the guise of a summer party. Meanwhile, customers can learn to bake their own fruity pastries in fun and educational baking workshops. Both are great ways to show off and demonstrate your passion for baking!
You can also partner with local businesses or participate in community events to boost your pastry shop’s visibility. To get your name out there, you can set up a stall at a local farmer’s market; to show that your business is an active part of the community, your pastry shop can sponsor a community event. In addition to getting more eyes on your business, these activities can also encourage sales.
Leverage Social Media and Marketing
Social media can be a very powerful tool for your business, especially in the summer when people are constantly on their phones and sharing their experiences. You can use this to your advantage by posting eye-catching photos of your seasonal offerings, your outdoor seating area (if you have one), as well as the events that you host or are planning on hosting. You can also share behind the scenes looks at your baking process or post videos of your staff members having fun at work. Engaging content can draw followers in and turn them into loyal customers!
Summer promotions and deals – both online and offline – are also great ways to attract more customers to your pastry shop. You can offer discounts on promotional items, or create a loyalty program where customers can earn points on every purchase they make, leading to free treats once they’ve accumulated enough.
You can also run contests on social media, where followers can win gift cards or pastry boxes by sharing your posts and tagging their friends. These promotions can incentivize new and repeat visits, keeping your shop busy all summer long.
Enhance Your Outdoor Presence
If you have some usable space outside of your pastry shop, summer is the perfect time to make the most of it! A cozy and inviting outdoor seating area is a great place for customers to relax, take a load off, and enjoy their treats at their leisure. To provide shade and keep the area cool, you might want to consider adding umbrellas or a pergola, and surrounding the area with plants and greenery. People love spending time outdoors in the summer, and a beautiful patio can be a big draw.
A slow summer doesn't have to be a bad thing for your pastry shop. With the tips above, you can turn the summer lull into a season of opportunity and growth. Remember, the key is to stay creative and proactive. With the right approach, your pastry shop can thrive and even become the go-to summer spot for your community.