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TLDR
Daylight saving time has started, bringing longer mornings, lighter evenings, and one noticeable change for coffee shops: customers are more tired and rushed. After months of slower, colder days, many cafés want to recover their morning momentum as routines shift and people adjust to the time change. While the post-DST week often brings unpredictability, it also offers a chance to refocus on efficiency and customer retention. With the right tools in place and prep strategies, your shop can stay one step ahead and serve your regulars exactly when they need you most.
The Daylight Saving Time Sales Slump: How it Affects Coffee Shops
The daylight saving time impact on coffee shops can be significant, often leading to a post-daylight saving coffee sales slump. As the clocks spring forward, customers' routines are disrupted, affecting their coffee consumption habits and potentially your bottom line.
Changing Customer Behavior
When daylight saving time hits, many people struggle with the lost hour of sleep. This results in:
- Groggy, irritable customers
- Increased demand for caffeine
- Rushed morning routines
These factors can lead to longer lines and potential lost sales if your coffee shop isn't prepared to handle the influx efficiently.
Operational Challenges
Coffee shops face unique challenges during this period:
- Staffing adjustments to accommodate busier mornings
- Inventory management to ensure a sufficient stock of popular items
- Maintaining the speed of service despite increased demand
To prepare a coffee shop for daylight saving time, owners and managers must anticipate these challenges and implement strategies to mitigate their impact on sales and customer satisfaction.
Opportunity for Growth
While the daylight saving transition can be disruptive, it also presents opportunities for savvy coffee shop owners. By leveraging modern tech for your coffee shop and implementing targeted sales tips, you can turn this potentially challenging period into a chance to boost revenue and customer loyalty.
Learn how a mobile app can save you money by reducing staffing needs.
Streamline Morning Rush with Mobile Ordering
The first week after the clocks change often leads to rushed mornings and customers running behind schedule. If you're not already offering mobile ordering, this is the time to start. Giving regulars the option to place their order ahead of time helps them stay on track and helps you avoid bottlenecks at the register.
Ordering Ahead for Convenience
Implement a mobile ordering system that allows customers to place their orders before arriving at your coffee shop. This not only saves time for busy commuters but also streamlines operations during the hectic post-daylight saving period. Ensure your mobile app displays accurate pickup times to manage customer expectations.
Branded Mobile App for Enhanced Experience
A branded mobile app takes your mobile ordering to the next level. You can customize your menu offerings, control pickup windows, and provide a faster, more reliable experience for your customers. With less time spent waiting in line, they're more likely to return the next morning and continue their routine, boosting customer loyalty and retention.
Leverage Push Notifications to Remind Sleepy Customers
Wake Up Your Marketing Strategy
During these months, your customers may be more groggy and forgetful than usual. This presents a unique opportunity to leverage mobile technology and boost your post-daylight saving coffee sales. Push notifications can be a powerful tool to gently nudge sleepy customers and keep your coffee shop top-of-mind during this challenging transition.
Timing is Everything
Schedule push notifications strategically to align with your customers' new routines. Consider sending reminders 15-30 minutes before peak morning hours, when people are most likely to be rushing and in need of a caffeine boost. This proactive approach can significantly impact your daylight saving time business impact by encouraging pre-orders and reducing wait times.
Personalize Your Messages
Craft compelling notifications that speak directly to your customers' needs during this time. For example, "Feeling the DST drag? Your favorite latte is waiting!" or "Beat the morning rush - order ahead and earn double points this week!" By addressing their specific pain points, you'll increase engagement and drive more traffic to your mobile ordering platform for coffee shops.
The key to successful push notifications is finding the right balance between helpfulness and frequency. Use this mobile tech strategy wisely, and you'll see a noticeable uptick in your coffee shop sales during the post-daylight saving adjustment period.
Amp Up Loyalty with a "DST Survival Week" Campaign
Launch a "DST Survival Week" campaign to maximize your sales tips and help patrons adjust. This strategy addresses the DST business impact while rewarding loyal customers.
Create Enticing Bundles
Offer special bundles that cater to groggy, time-pressed customers. Combine popular items like a medium coffee with a breakfast pastry at a discounted rate. This approach improves the speed of service and encourages larger purchases, boosting your post-daylight saving coffee sales.
Leverage Mobile Ordering for Coffee Shops
Utilize your app to promote the campaign and streamline ordering. Enable customers to pre-order their DST Survival bundles, ensuring a seamless pickup experience. This not only enhances convenience but also helps manage the morning rush more efficiently.
Implement a Points Boost
Incentivize early morning purchases by offering bonus loyalty points during DST Survival Week. This strategy encourages customers to visit your shop despite potential schedule disruptions. Consider doubling points for orders placed before 9 AM to drive traffic during crucial morning hours.
By implementing these tactics, you'll not only mitigate the negative effects of the time change but also strengthen customer loyalty. Remember, the key to success is making it easy for your patrons to get their caffeine fix during this challenging week.
Prepare for the Rush with Pre-Ordered Grab-and-Go Items
To maximize coffee shop sales after daylight saving time, preparation is key. The rush can be overwhelming, but with the right strategies, you can turn this challenge into an opportunity.
Stock Up on Popular Items
Anticipate the increased demand for caffeine by pre-stocking grab-and-go items. Cold brew, pastries, and pre-packaged snacks should be readily available. This preparation will improve your speed of service and keep mobile order pickup seamless, crucial for managing the daylight saving time business impact.
Implement a Pre-Order System
Per Diem allows your customers to pre-order their favorite items days ahead. This system caters to the post-daylight saving time fatigue, enabling sleepy patrons to secure their morning pick-me-up without the wait. Consider offering special "DST Survival Bundles" that combine popular items at a slight discount.
Streamline Your Pickup Process
Create a dedicated area for pre-ordered items to ensure a smooth flow during peak hours. Train your staff on efficient handoff procedures to minimize confusion and maintain a positive customer experience. This approach boosts and enhances your reputation for convenience and reliability.
By implementing these coffee shop sales tips, you'll be well-prepared to forecast demand accurately and handle the influx of customers.
Final Thoughts
While Daylight Saving Time can throw off schedules, it also creates a window to reconnect with regulars, streamline your service, and test new ideas. With mobile ordering, smart loyalty promotions, and thoughtful prep, your coffee shop can thrive in the post-DST slump.
If you're looking for an easier way to offer pre-orders, send targeted notifications, and reward repeat customers, Per Diem can help you do it all in one place with full integration into Square POS.
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