The holiday season is busy for small businesses, but it’s also a great time to learn what worked well and what didn’t. By looking at your sales data and inventory, you can make smart choices for the new year. Here are simple tips to help you turn your holiday success into a great start for January, February, and March.

1. Find Out What Sold the Most

Your sales numbers tell you what people loved this holiday season.

• Look for your best-selling products or services. These are the things people want most.
• Plan a “New Year Favorites” sale to keep customers coming back in January.
• Bundle popular items with slower-moving ones to sell more.

2. Clear Out What Didn’t Sell

Some products or services don’t sell as well as you hoped. That’s okay! Now is the time to fix it.

• Offer discounts on slow-moving products to free up space and money.
• Pair them with popular items as part of a special deal.

3. Check Your Inventory

Inventory is everything you still have on hand after the holidays. Knowing what you have helps you get ready for next year.

• Count your products to see what’s left and compare it to your records.
• Figure out which products sold the fastest. These are the ones you’ll want to restock or promote.
• Plan ahead by guessing what people will want in January. For example, if you sold a lot of fitness gear during the holidays, promote those items to help with New Year’s resolutions.

4. Compare This Year to Last Year

Look at this year’s holiday sales compared to last year’s. Did your sales go up? Did they go down?

• Check how many customers you had and which products made you the most money.
• If you offered big discounts, see if they hurt your profits.

Use what you learn to set goals for the first few months of the new year.

5. Use Customer Information

Your holiday shoppers can help you grow your business in the new year. Here’s how:

• Send an email to thank your customers for shopping with you.
• Give first-time customers a small discount to bring them back.
• Reward loyal customers with special deals or early access to new products.
• Remind customers to use gift cards they received over the holidays. You can run a “Use Your Gift Card!” campaign in January.

6. Plan Your Marketing for Q1

Now that you know what worked in December, use it to plan for January, February, and March.

• Run a “New Year, New You” sale if you sell fitness, wellness, or organization products.
• Highlight your best-selling items and promote them on social media or email.
• Offer a “Start Fresh” event or sale to clear out leftover inventory.

7. Use Tools to Track Your Data

If you don’t already track your inventory and sales, now is a great time to start.

• Try tools like Shopify, Square, or other point-of-sale systems to see your sales numbers easily.
• Use social media insights or website tools like Google Analytics to track what your customers like best.

8. Set Goals and Check in Often

Don’t wait until next December to look at your sales and inventory. Check your numbers every month.

• Set small goals, like selling more of a certain product or getting more customers to come back.
• Adjust as you go to keep your business growing.

The Bottom Line

The holidays are over, but your hard work doesn’t stop there. Use your sales and inventory data to learn what worked and plan for a strong start in the new year. Sell what’s left, promote your best sellers, and keep customers coming back with smart deals. Small steps now can make a big difference all year long.