For many years Invicium has smoothed the way for our customers by producing eye-catching print marketing, and sorting, storing and delivering it in order for them to make the most of their marketing opportunities.
Our customer-focused approach and attention to detail means that your print marketing is in safe hands, even if the rest of the season becomes a frantic juggle! We’ve put together our top tips to help you in the lead up to the silly season, to ensure you get the best ROI on your marketing budget.
The Seasonal Shift in the Retail Landscape
The retail landscape sees a significant shift during the festive season. According to the National Retail Association, Australian retail sales during the holiday period often surpass AUD 50 billion, making it a critical time for business owners. This surge however, brings with it increased competition and costs as everyone competes for consumer attention.
Online or In-store?
The trend towards online sales has increased over recent years, and is predicted to continue. Online retail in Australia accounted for around 15% of total retail turnover during the holiday season in recent years.*
This means that local in-store shopping is still the consumer’s preferred way to purchase. Printed marketing materials including brochures, flyers, booklets and signage are still an incredibly important tool in the retailer’s marketing toolbox.
Which printed materials will you need this season?
During this time, retailers are facing the dual challenge of making their marketing campaigns stand out in a sea of offers, while also keeping an eye on their operational efficiencies. This is where strategic cost management in print and fulfilment comes into play.
Pro Tips for Cost-Effective Print Strategies
Utilise Bulk Printing Discounts
One effective way to minimise print costs is by taking advantage of bulk printing options that printing companies like Invicium offer. Take a look at your printing figures from previous years, and try to accurately forecast your printing needs for this season. This way you’ll be able to leverage bulk print discounts.
Opt for Sustainable Materials
With growing consumer awareness around environmental issues, using sustainable materials is not only good for the planet but is great for building your brand. And using eco-friendly materials can be surprisingly cost-effective. Recycled paper and eco-friendly inks are increasing in quality and decreasing in cost, making them a viable option for savvy businesses.
Speak to the Invicium team about our eco-conscious options.
Need printed posters for your storefront?
Read about our Sustainable Alternative to Plastic Signs
Why Should I Choose Sustainable Printing?
Sustainable printing reduces your carbon footprint, can save costs in the long run, and aligns your brand with eco-conscious consumers who are likely to become loyal advocates for your business.
Strategic Design and Messaging
Creating compelling design and messaging is crucial in helping you cut through the noise. Consider investing in professional design services to craft visual marketing materials that stand out, and ensure your brand voice resonates with your target audience. This kind of upfront expense can drive much higher returns on your investment.
Keep your designs simple for maximum impact. With so much visual noise flooding the marketplace around this time, a simple campaign is often the best. A minimalist design, focusing on your key messages, can be more impactful and cost-effective, reducing both design complexity and print costs.
Top Tips for your seasonal messaging
- Aim for consistency in your branding
- Deliver one clear message with every piece of marketing
- Present your customers with a call to action
- Include where to find you: store address, phone number, website and socials
Leverage Personalisation
Personalisation has become a key differentiator in marketing, and it’s especially effective in printed materials. According to a study by Epsilon, personalised print campaigns can see response rates increase by as much as 30%. Consider using data-driven insights from your previous campaigns to tailor messages that cater directly to your individual customer preferences and behaviours.
Streamlining Fulfilment for Cost Savings
Utilising integrated fulfilment solutions can streamline your operations and improve your delivery efficiency. Best of all, it can even cut your costs! Invicium offers comprehensive services that integrate warehousing and logistics, eliminating the fragmented communication that can lead to costly delays and errors.
Read about our Top Five Benefits for Outsourcing Your Fulfilment Needs
Implement Inventory Management Software
We use advanced inventory management systems to provide our customers with accurate stock data. We recommend having these kinds of systems working for you, as they can help you predict trends and manage your stock levels with ease. This technology reduces the risk of excess inventory, preventing overproduction and waste. It also ensures your materials can get to where they are needed in a timely manner, so that your customers see your products right when they are planning out their seasonal shopping. This kind of inventory management can help you make the most of your marketing budget during peak seasons.
Did You Know?
Effective inventory management can reduce carrying costs by up to 30%**
Standing Out in the Market
To differentiate your brand in a busy market, consider a multi-channel marketing approach. Combining printed materials with digital strategies can significantly enhance reach. For example, pairing direct mail campaigns with digital touchpoints increases engagement and conversion rates by creating consistent brand experiences across channels.
Pro Tip:
Integrating QR codes in print materials that lead to exclusive online offers can drive more interaction and measurable results.
