FM’s Guide to Prepare Your Store for Summer

With temperatures rising and shoppers ready to spend, summer can be one of the busiest and most profitable times of year for retailers. But to make the most of the seasonal rush, preparation is key. From managing increased footfall to keeping stock levels under control, your store needs to be ready to meet demand.

Here’s FM Retail’s essential guide to getting your retail business summer-ready  - with smart solutions to help you stay ahead of the heat.

1. Make sure your stock is summer-ready

Nothing frustrates customers more than low availability during peak season. Reviewing historical sales data and trends can help you forecast demand, identify bestsellers, and prepare accordingly.

With FM’s Stock Management System, you can streamline inventory processes, reduce stockouts, and maintain accurate levels across all channels. Whether you operate online, in-store, or both, real-time visibility means you can keep customers happy and avoid missed sales.

Tip: Don’t forget to plan for promotional events, local festivals, or sporting tournaments that could impact sales patterns.

2. Optimise your retail operations

Staffing, replenishment, returns, reporting  - summer brings a surge in activity. A comprehensive retail management system can ease the pressure by integrating daily operations into one place.

Our Retail Management System is designed specifically for fashion retailers and wholesalers. From multi-site store management to customer accounts and purchasing, it enables a seamless, joined-up retail experience for both you and your customers. And with Warehouse Management tools included, your fulfilment operations can scale with demand, whether dispatching to store or straight to consumer.

3. Streamline your checkout process

Long queues are a big turn-off in summer  - and with more customers in store, your payment setup needs to be fast, secure, and reliable.

FM’s Payments solution supports chip & PIN, contactless, and integrated card machines  - helping your team serve customers quickly and efficiently. Combine that with our Retail EPOS System, and you can reduce delays, access customer data, and trigger promotions or loyalty rewards at the point of sale.

4. Unify your online and in-store strategy

Today’s customers shop wherever is most convenient. Whether browsing on the beach or buying in-store, your offering needs to be consistent and connected.

FM’s eCommerce integration makes omnichannel retail easy. Seamlessly connect your website to your EPOS and stock systems, so customers can see real-time stock levels, access promotions, and collect or return in-store. If you also trade to other businesses, our Wholesale Management System gives you the tools to manage both sides of your business without duplication.

5. Get support when you need it

Even with the best systems in place, it’s important to know you’ve got help on hand if things go wrong. From installation and training to ongoing support, our team are on hand to keep your business running smoothly.

Need retail support this summer?

A successful summer season is built on solid planning and the right tools. FM’s connected retail solutions give you everything you need to prepare your store, empower your team, and deliver the seamless shopping experience today’s customers expect.

Want to discuss your retail tech setup? Fill out this form to arrange a demo or call 0330 024 5014 - let’s get you summer-ready!