Creative Shop Talk Podcast Episode 275 | How Top Shop Owners Are Planning Their Holiday Strategy
With Retail Coach Wendy Batten
Listen on: Apple Podcasts |Spotify | Radio Republic | YouTube | PlayerFM | Stitcher | iHeartRadio
Holiday Success Planning Guide is now a standalone masterclass! Click HERE to grab it now. You can walk through the sessions at your own pace and rewatch it year after year.
Want to plan your entire Q4 with me LIVE? Join me and a small group on September 15th and let’s get down to business. Limited seating for this quarterly planning session.
In This Episode:
Are you heading into the holiday season feeling overwhelmed, reactive, and unsure how to hit your numbers? You’re not alone—but the good news is there’s a better way.
In this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I’ll share exactly how real retailers are taking control of their holiday planning to finish 2025 strong. We’ll pull back the curtain on the strategies and ideas a few of my clients are implementing this holiday season.
Instead of relying on “hope marketing” or last year’s results, my clients are setting themselves up for success—complete with setting profit goals, tightening inventory, and breaking down sales targets week by week. You’ll learn how to do that too! Remember: reverse-engineering your goals creates focus, clarity, and confidence while protecting your profits.
Key Takeaways Around Holiday Planning:
- Why reverse-engineering your goals creates clarity and focus
- Why you need to set profit-based (not just revenue) targets
- The importance of weekly planning for staffing, inventory, and marketing
- Using tools like the Profit Calculator and Holiday Success Planning Guide for success
- Shifting from reactive to proactive leadership as a retail CEO
Your Next Steps:
- Set Your Profit Goal – Decide what you want left after expenses this holiday season.
- Reverse Engineer Your Plan – Work backward from that profit goal to map out sales, inventory, and expenses.
- Get Tools & Support – Grab the Holiday Success Planning Guide for step-by-step guides, calculators, and planning templates to make 2025 your best and most relaxed holiday season yet. For a limited time, it’s only $97!
- Plan With Me Live – Join the upcoming CEO Planning Workshop to map out your holiday strategy alongside me and other shop owners.
- Join the Inner Circle – Don’t let another holiday season go by without my and other likeminded retailers’ support! And remember: your membership gets you unlimited access to the Holiday Success Bootcamp, the Profit Planning Masterclass, and so much more.
Related podcasts we think you’d like:
Episode 271: Back of the Napkin Math: Simplifying Profit Planning for Retailers
Episode 231: 3 Simple Marketing Levers to Increase Your Holiday Sales
Episode 222: 6 Things to Do This Month to Prepare Your Shop for the Holidays
About Your Host, Wendy Batten:
In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy Batten, retail business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle. With over 30 years of experience running successful businesses, I now help independent shop owners grow profitably and sustainably—with more confidence and joy.
I’ve had my own business columns in featured magazines, such as What Women Create and other top publications, worked with some of the top industry brands as retail care manager, and I’ve supported hundreds of retailers through coaching, speaking, my programs, and this podcast.
For more support from Wendy:
Join Wendy’s CEO Planning Session for Retailers
Retailer’s Inner Circle – Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community
Free resources for shop owners
Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG
All of Wendy’s current programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.
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