Getting ready for OND & the holidays
The holiday season is here! October, November, and December are critical for business, and we’ve outlined key steps to help you succeed. With Vinoshipper, you can simplify operations, drive more sales, and boost customer retention during the busiest time of the year.
Why OND matters for winery DTC sales
Peak consumer spending: Holiday gatherings and gift-giving drive wine purchases to annual highs.
DTC growth opportunity: With more consumers shopping online, your winery can reach beyond tasting room visitors.
Customer acquisition goldmine: Holiday shoppers exploring new brands present a prime opportunity to expand your DTC customer base.
Let's dive into strategies to ensure your winery's DTC channel is ready to pour success this holiday season.
7 key strategies for OND DTC success
1. Optimize your product catalog for holiday shoppers
Ensure your digital shelves are stocked and appealing:
Create gift bundles: Offer ready-to-ship multipacks or holiday bundles. For example, a "Thanksgiving Dinner Trio" featuring a white, red, and dessert wine can simplify gift-giving and increase average order value. Learn more.
Add holiday-themed products: Limited edition merch or festive packaging can attract more customers during the season.
Accurate inventory management: Ensure your inventory count on Vinoshipper matches what you have on hand. Nothing dampens holiday spirits like an "out of stock" message on a customer's chosen gift.
2. Transform OND shoppers into loyal club members
Leverage the holiday rush to build your wine club:
Utilize Vinoshipper’s Mailchimp integration: Add customer, order, and product data directly into your Mailchimp account to create targeted email campaigns. For instance, invite holiday buyers to a New Year Celebration in January, using the Mailchimp predicted location or create a virtual event, so out of state customers can join. It’s the perfect time to build customer relationships, educate them about the products you offer, and potentially sign them up for your club.
POS integration for tasting room conversions: Use Vinoshipper’s POS app to quickly add customers during busy tasting room days. Use the built-in ID scanner to collect their name and address details for the club sign up form.
3. Implement smart discounting strategies
Balance profitability with competitive appeal.
Early bird shipping discounts: Offer discounted shipping for orders placed before thanksgiving. This encourages early purchases and spreads out your workload.
Tiered discounts on multiple bottles: Create a “Buy More, Save More” promotion. For example, $25 shipping on 6+ bottles, $10 shipping on 12+ bottles. This strategy preserves your per-bottle value while encouraging larger purchases.
4. Streamline group & corporate orders
Capitalize on the lucrative corporate gift market:
Utilize Vinoshipper’s bulk order import: Simplify group orders (20+) with this feature. Create a dedicated “Corporate Gifting” page on your website showcasing this capability.
5. Conduct an account review
Ensure your Vinoshipper account is primed for success:
Optimize for home state sales: Maximize the advantages of Vinoshipper shipping rates, reduced fees, and our proficient customer service team's ability to handle potential UPS challenges this holiday period by selling in your home state through Vinoshipper.
Update contact information: Ensure your primary contact is current. This designated person/email will receive important communications intended for a single point of contact within your company, ensuring you don't miss any critical updates.
Customize email templates: Customize sections of your order and club emails to inform customers about upcoming events, new products, and more.
6. Enhance your online DTC presence
With more consumers shipping online, ensuring your website is optimized is key.
Mobile-optimize your website: People are constantly on the go, so a site that works seamlessly on mobile is crucial.
Highlight holiday offerings: Feature your seasonal bundles prominently. Create a “Holiday Wine Shop” section on your homepage for easy navigation.
7. Prep your team for the holidays
Training: Familiarize all staff with the Vinoshipper online system and POS. Take advantage of our videos and help documentation.
Customer service: Our team takes care of all of the customer service related to UPS (damages, redirects, returns, etc) so your team can focus on building relationships and making great wines.
The holiday season is more than a sales opportunity—it's your chance to showcase your wines to a broader audience, turn new customers into lifelong advocates, and set the stage for a prosperous new year in DTC sales. With Vinoshipper's comprehensive suite of tools and this strategic guide, you're not just prepared for OND—you're ready to make it one of the most successful seasons in your winery's history.
Remember, in the world of DTC wine sales, the holidays are when customer relationships are forged. Are you ready to uncork your winery's full potential?