It’s summer strategy time! Whether you’re riding a wave of seasonal traffic or seeing things slow down, this is your moment to pause, refocus, and make the most of the months ahead.

Can you believe we’re already halfway through 2025?

Honestly, that fact alone makes my brain explode a little. It’s wild how fast the year is flying by.

So let me ask you: Are you feeling like you’ve been crushing your goals or are you secretly wondering where the last six months went?

Either way, I’ve got a little plot twist for you: Your second half of the year can be even stronger than your first.

That’s why now is the perfect time for a summer strategy to reset a moment to pause, reflect, and realign. You don’t need to burn everything down and start over. You just need to reconnect with what’s already working and take a few intentional, strategic steps forward.

Let me walk you through what I’m seeing in the world of retail right now and what it means for your store, your customers, and your next moves.

 🎧 Watch the full episode here:

https://youtu.be/E7AAwICsXqA

What’s Actually Selling? Here Are the Retail Trends to Watch

One of the most important parts of your summer strategy is understanding what customers are actually buying right now and what they’re not.

I’ve been having a lot of conversations lately with clients, in our community, and with colleagues and some clear trends are emerging. Here’s what I’m seeing again and again:

• Candles are selling like hotcakes. No matter what kind of store you run, candles are flying off the shelves. Isn’t that wild? It’s not necessarily about the brand, it’s about the category. Candles feel comforting. They’re a small luxury, and right now, people are saying yes to that.
• Bath and body products? Still tricky. Unless you’ve got a true rockstar item, this category is moving slower. But if you do have a bestseller here, don’t hold back and promote it boldly. Your audience is showing you what they want, and that’s gold for your summer strategy.
• Sale shoppers are active and ready. In our world, we call them “pinkies.” They may not be your main customers year-round, but right now? They’re crucial for clearing out old inventory and bringing in cash. But here’s the thing: “20% off” won’t do it anymore. You need fun, bold offers like “Buy One, Get One for a Penny.” That little twist gets attention, moves the product, and fits perfectly into a smart summer strategy – Or if you really want to maximize your pinkies, get our Clearance Success Secrets program! It lays out the best clearance sale strategy for store owners trying to move old or excess inventory.

Retail Is a Gamble, But You Can Stack the Deck

I once told a cab driver in Vegas that I wasn’t much of a gambler. He laughed and said, “You’re in retail? You gamble every day!”

Touché. He was right. Every decision we make from buying to merchandising to markdowns is a gamble. But when we make smart bets and respond quickly, we win more often.

That’s why I love sale shoppers. When customers say no to a product, our pinkies help us move it and bring in fresh cash. So don’t write them off, invite them in!

Omnichannel Isn’t Optional, It’s Expected

Here’s a stat that’s stuck with me: 59% of shoppers now prefer online shopping, but 41% still want to buy in-store.

And guess what? Most of them want both.

If someone sees a cute dress on your Instagram story but can’t click to buy it (or even message you to hold it), you’ve just lost a sale. This happens way too often, and it’s totally fixable.

So use this summer to build up your omnichannel game. You don’t have to do everything at once. Start with one step:

• Add one best-selling item to your online store.
• Create an “order via DM” system on social media.
• Offer pickup or easy shipping.

Small tweaks now = big payoff later.

Your Millie Mindset Moment: Rinse, Repeat, and Rise

If you’re new here, let me introduce you to the Millie Mindset. It’s something we talk about often with our clients who are on their way to (or already at!) $1M in annual sales. It’s about bold, clear, long-game thinking and making decisions that move you forward with confidence.

So here’s my challenge to you as you shape your summer strategy: What worked really well for you in the first half of the year?

One of my clients recently told me, “I loved this product we brought in but it didn’t sell well… until I personally called and texted a few customers I knew would love it.” She sold out of everything but two pieces!

So I asked her, “If you want things to feel simpler and more successful, why not do that again but this time with your whole team involved?”

Let that be part of your summer strategy too. Make it fun. Turn it into a game. Lean into what’s already working and do it again, on purpose.

Quick Recap (Your Summer Strategy at a Glance)

1. Candles and chocolates are selling; yes, even now
2. Consumers are hunting for smart sales strategies (get creative!)
3. Omnichannel shopping is the new normal, meet them where they are
4. Rinse and repeat what’s working, don’t overcomplicate

 🎧 Tune in the episode here:

Want Help Mapping Out Your Next Move?

Book a 15-minute Clarity Call with Crystal, our Head Coach. She’ll help you figure out what’s working, what’s stuck, and how to finish the year strong with confidence.

Don’t forget to join us in our Facebook community: Richer Retailer Facebook Group. 

You are not behind, you are simply in the middle. And the second half of your year is still yours to win. 💚