Christmas Promotions: The do's and don'ts of holiday sale specials

With consumers becoming increasingly savvy (and regulators paying closer attention), it’s essential to make sure your festive deals are both effective and compliant.

When run right, Christmas promotions don’t just boost sales, they build trust that lasts well beyond the festive season.

Follow these six simple rules to spread holiday cheer without a compliance headache:

1. Do: offer genuine holiday discounts and Christmas bundle deals. Don’t: hike your prices beforehand to make your discounts look better than they are.

2. Do: be transparent about available stock and time limits. Don’t: use countdown timers or “only 2 left!” tactics to create a false sense of urgency.

3. Do: showcase real, recent customer reviews. Don’t: cherry-pick, recycle, or fabricate testimonials.

4. Do: keep a close eye on your stock levels. Don’t: promote items that are already sold out.

5. Do: offer gift cards or vouchers for easy last-minute gifts. Don’t: set expiry dates shorter than three years — this becomes a legal requirement in New Zealand from March 2026.

6. Do: ask your customer if they need stocking stuffers or low-value smile-creating gifts. Don’t: have old, tired stock near the counter, have stock near that your customer will thank you for. (The Bargain Bin can be displayed elsewhere, with a bit of sparkle.)

Thoughtful, honest promotions build trust — the most valuable Christmas asset of all!

Before you start discounting, understand your margins on each product and how many more products you need to sell to keep your profit margin intact.

If you’d like help planning compliant holiday campaigns, pricing strategies, customer-friendly offers, or knowing your profit margins, contact us for practical marketing and business guidance.