During the winter season, where the ground is frozen and the air is chilled, cravings for cold ice cream treats tend to decrease. Ice cream parlors can see this change in traffic and loss of profits during winter months. In order to minimize or eliminate the loss, you need to take in some considerations when deciding whether to stay open for business or close your ice cream shop for the winter.
Here are some factors to consider that might be beneficial for your decision making:
- Ice Cream Shop Location
The geographic location of your business is crucial when deciding whether you should keep your doors open all winter long. For example, ice cream shops in Florida, California, and other states that rarely see snow, makes them the prime real estate for winter ice cream parlors. It is best to keep your business running if you happen to be in a place where you get many tourists trying to escape the cold weather.
If you are in an area with less competition, it is best that you stay open as well since there will be customers looking for ice cream shops even during the winter season.
- Paying Rent
Some ice cream establishments have found that it is best for them to remain open all year round because of the rent they need to pay, regardless of whether they are open for business or not. It is best to adjust your menus to get through the cold months of winter. Some shops create seasonal flavors. These are unique flavors that are only available for a limited time like candy cane, gingerbread, and eggnog.
You can also broaden your menu by offering warm drinks like hot chocolate, coffee, and hot cider for customers to warm up with. Alcas’ Coffee Way line will give you a bunch of good quality take-away cups for hot drinks. For variety, you can also add seasonal desserts like pumpkin pie, apple pie, or warm brownies to naturally pair well with either ice cream or coffee.
During this season, you can have seasonal hours of operation as well. You can scale back your hours by staying open just on weekends in the wintertime, rather than 5 days a week. Or you can cut back your work hours from 7 hours a day to 4 hours. By opening in a limited time, it will create more of a demand for your products. It can also save you on operating expenses during the week.
- Recognition
A lot of customers are craving for ice cream during celebrations or just to satisfy their sweet tooth. By staying open in the colder means, you will be able to find these customers and they'll remember you being open during winter, while other shops are closed. Your ice cream shop will be the top of their minds when the busier days of summer roll around. By staying open, it will allow you to attract customers even in the winter season and they will become your loyal customers all year round.
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