While April 17 isn’t the latest that Easter can fall (that honor goes to April 25), the fact that it is so late this year means extra time to promote the holiday.  And as COVID finally seems to be receding, consumers are looking forward to a return to the kind of celebrations they held pre-pandemic. 

Spending at Easter is mostly on gifts, food and candy, according to the National Retail Federation. Easter is in fact the second top-selling candy holiday of the year, topped only by Halloween. Home decor and table decorations may also be important this year now that families can again gather for large Easter dinners.

Gifts for Easter baskets are a category that even stores that don’t sell candy can participate in. Almost any small, inexpensive item – not necessarily bunny- or chick-themed – will work as a children’s basket stuffer.  You could provide inexpensive plastic eggs as “gift wrap” to make this obvious (they come a variety of sizes).  And don’t forget that some pet owners will give their cat or dog an Easter gift – take a look at Dog Time’s 12 Woof-Worthy Easter Basket Stuffers for Dogs!

How do you promote Easter in your store? You could help organize a traditional egg hunt in your neighborhood or mall, or an egg roll like the one sponsored by the White House.  Renting an Easter bunny costume and offering family (or pet) portraits is another idea. A Peeps art contest would be fun. We traditionally hold a demonstration of the art of traditional Ukrainian egg decorating – this year we’ll be donating all proceeds from our egg decorating supplies to Ukrainian refugee relief.

Think of creative ways to use your social media posts to show the ways that your products can be used as Easter gifts.  Shoppers are eager for ideas beyond the usual grocery store options, and this spring holiday is a great way to encourage them to shop local.

Happy retailing, 

Carol “Orange” Schroeder