The holidays can sometimes present unique shopping challenges. Review the tips and tricks below to help you prepare for shopping during these busier times of the year.
Time Management
- Crowds: Reviewing an order's Shopping List before entering the store can help you plan ahead and navigate the aisles of a crowded store faster.
- Checkout: The checkout process tends to take more time around the holidays due to longer lines. Consider giving yourself extra time to check out to ensure an on-time delivery.
- Traffic: Roads and parking lots can be busier and slower-moving during the holidays so be prepared for additional drive time and potential delays.
"Shoppers need to account for long lines, out-of-stock items, and packed parking lots with limited space. Therefore, build more time into your schedule to allow for the unexpected." — Deanna S. (Austin, TX)
Shopping
- Items: Prepare for a potential increase in add-on and out-of-stock items during the holidays.
- Endcaps: Many stores set up seasonal displays and keep holiday-related items on aisle endcaps — if you are unable to find a popular seasonal item, consider checking the endcaps for it.
- Bakery/Deli: If the member indicates via a special request that they have pre-ordered an item from the bakery/deli, or if you need to order a bakery/deli item for them, you may choose to call ahead of time to ensure their item will be ready — wait times for the bakery/deli can be longer during holidays.
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Meat: If the order includes a whole ham, turkey, or ribs, double-check the requested item weight. If the weight amount looks questionable, such as if they ordered 300 lbs of turkey, contact the member to confirm.
- If a customer is unsure what size turkey they need, a good rule of thumb is to suggest 1–1.5 lbs per person — this accounts for bone weight and generous servings.
- Checkout: While waiting to check out, you may choose to review the order's delivery details as well as plan ahead for upcoming orders.
"Don’t forget to check end caps or center aisles for popular seasonal items." — Sue B. (Columbus, OH)
Communication
- Substitutions: Members may be extra particular about holiday meals they are planning or gifts they are purchasing. Consider giving yourself a little more time to communicate about substitutions for orders, especially for orders without item backups selected.
- Pictures: Sending members pictures of options for add-on items or substitutions can help ensure members get what they need and make the selection process more efficient.
- Shopping List: If you think something may be missing from your member's Shopping List, you can ask them to ensure order success. For example, if you notice an order has taco shells and toppings but no meat, you can ask if they meant to order meat for tacos based on the other items on their list.
"Use your prior knowledge to offer creative solutions for out-of-stock items — you could save the holidays! Send photos of what is on the shelves, so members can see what their options are." — Kristen M. (Grand Rapids, MI)
Gifts and Gift Receipts
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Gifts: You may see a "This order contains a gift" note on some orders during the holiday season. Experienced shoppers recommend reaching out to customers who have this note on their order to see if they have any additional preferences or instructions.
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General Merchandise: Through the holidays, many retailers such as Target and Meijer will provide gift receipts for general merchandise items. If your order has general merchandise, you may ask the member if they would like any gift receipts for items on their order. Gift receipts may be requested during checkout and provided to the member at the time of delivery.
- As a reminder, do not give members the actual store receipt.
"If the member asks, we are allowed to get gift receipts for general merchandise. Remember NOT to give the member the store receipt. With Prepaid Orders, the customer has the ability to email their gift receipt from their order themselves." — Richelle J. (Dallas, TX)