Retail Success Series Part 6: Seasonal Launch Prep + Display Calendar

Part 6: Seasonal Launch Prep + Display Calendar

Stay Aligned, Stay Ahead: How to Prep for Seasonal Drops & Boost Sell-Through

At Soak + Salt Co., our bi-monthly seasonal launches are designed to keep your displays fresh, drive recurring visits, and make retail resets easy and profitable. This guide walks you through preparing for each drop—so you never miss a sales opportunity.

🗓 Our Launch Rhythm (At a Glance)

We launch 6 seasonal collections per year. Each one is:

  • Released on the 1st of the month (Jan, Mar, May, July, Sept, Nov)

  • Available for 4 months

  • Limited in production—we stop manufacturing after 3 months

  • Designed to match customer mood, gift-giving patterns, and seasonal themes

🛒 Pro Tip: Reorder by Month 2 to ensure availability and freshness in your display.

📌 The Seasonal Display Prep Checklist

Before each launch, take 30–60 minutes to walk through this checklist:

1. Check Inventory:

  • Review sell-through on seasonal items from the current or previous collection

  • Identify which bestsellers are running low

  • Note any slow movers to mark down or relocate

2. Refresh Your Display:

  • Clear out remaining seasonal signage or products

  • Clean trays, risers, and shelves

  • Reset display flow for new scents, shapes, or themes

3. Place Your Reorder Early:

  • Reserve the most popular shapes and bundles in advance

  • Order by the 15th of the launch month to qualify for early shipping and avoid sell-outs

4. Get the New Digital Catalog:

  • Sent out via email a week before each launch

  • Includes new product imagery, scent profiles, pricing, and display tips

5. Update Your Signage:

  • Print or handwrite new signs for featured scents

  • Add urgency language like “Here for Spring Only” or “Limited Drop”

  • Display bundle pricing clearly

🛍 Display Calendar (By Season)

Month Collection Display Theme Suggested Product Focus
Jan–Apr Spring + Easter Fresh blooms, Easter baskets, pastel tones Bunny shapes, floral scents, gift sets
Mar–Jun Early Summer + End-of-School Teacher gifts, sunshine, self-care Paint Kits, minis, fruity or clean scents
May–Aug Summer + July 4th BBQs, beach days, Americana Bright citrus, popsicles, bold novelty shapes
Jul–Oct Fall + Halloween Cozy, spooky, nostalgic Pumpkin, apple, marshmallow, Halloween characters
Sep–Dec Christmas + Winter Stocking stuffers, warm scents, holiday gifting Snowflakes, trees, seasonal bundles
Nov–Feb Valentine’s + New Year Romantic, cozy, fresh-start Heart shapes, musks, sparkles, floral accents

📎 Pro Tip: Theme your signage and trays to reflect the season—even small visual cues (like mini pumpkins or pastel accents) boost sell-through.

🛍 Sample Prep Timeline (For July Launch)

  • June 20–25: Clear out Spring/Early Summer display

  • June 25–28: Place reorder of Fall preview collection

  • July 1: Launch Fall + Halloween display

  • July 1–15: Promote “early access” or “staff picks” to spark attention

  • July 15–Aug 15: Monitor inventory, reorder top styles

💡 Final Tips

  • Keep a seasonal display rotation binder or digital folder

  • Train staff on what’s new each launch—staff picks sell faster

  • Add “Coming Soon” signage 1 week before the switch to build anticipation