I have a really crazy idea… what if you were to get competitive with online store retailers and offer free shipping to all customers who spent more than a certain amount for one week only? It would certainly create a powerful reason for customers to come and shop in your store, it would incentivize them to spend more money than they might have otherwise, it would offer them convenience and service and it would differentiate you from the competition.

Even though you'll have to cover the cost of the shipping out of your own pocket, the additional money you'll make in sales should more than cover it and then some.

One of the mantras I continue to repeat to retailers is "you must give your customers a reason to visit your store." Which is one of the reasons why I love store promotions.

Even if you already have a few store promotions planned this holiday season, here are five more ideas to create fast and easy last minute store promotions:

1. Have a cookie decorating party. Invite the first 100 customers to your store to decorate gingerbread cookies (you can purchase them in bulk from your local bakery). Set-up a special table for the decorating and give each each customer a special voucher for participating—$5 off any purchase over $30.

2. Invite Santa or Mrs. Claus to visit your store. Promote free pictures with Santa to all your customers.

3. If you buy from any local artisans, invite one of them in for an in-store signing. Customers love to buy things that have been autographed by the artist.

4. Offer to take pictures (and print them) of your customers' pets in an outside holiday display. After the event, print your favorite 25 pictures and create a store display. Reward customers for coming back to the store to see it.

5. Offer a free stocking stuffer to the first 25 customers (in an email blast) who mention the special offer.

This year I spoke to retailers across the country about one of my favorite topics—email marketing. In the sessions I teach, I always suggest that retailers sign up to get on the email mailing list of at least 20 retailers (from small to big retailers) so you can start an idea book of what the competition is doing. It's easy to signup—most retailers have an enewsletter signup prominently displayed on their store website—I'm on at least 100 different lists (which is very helpful!).

As the holiday season gets underway, it is imperative that you keep the momentum going with your email marketing. I know it's easy to get so busy with store operations that it falls to the bottom of your to do list, but with other retailers aggressively emailing this holiday season, you MUST continue to give your customers reminders and reasons to visit your store!

One of my first retail jobs was with the apparel chain retailer Casual Corner, where I had a regional manager who was a stickler for store displays that looked full. So early on I became very aware of keeping our shelves looking full when inventory was running low on certain products.

I suggest appointing one person every day to periodically go through the store and rearrange displays that are looking low. This person should also restock store shelves as frequently as possible from inventory supplies—even though it may require getting creative to come up with entirely new displays.

It's important to remember that most customers don't like to shop empty displays, so by keeping your displays looking full and fresh you'll sell more products.

Last weekend as I was out and about checking out some of the retail stores in Phoenix, I noticed that one of the chain store retailers (Restoration Hardware) had setup a very elaborate display to promote their stocking stuffers—all priced under $20.

I loved this display. First, it reminded me that I always need stocking stuffers, but I have a hard time finding them. Second, the price points were not intimidating—all under $20. Third, the gifts were very unusual so I walked away with two creative stocking stuffers and ended up spending $30 in a store that I had only planned on browsing.

While your store merchandising is probably finalized by now, I would encourage you to re-arrange a simple table centered around one of the following product concepts and price points:

1. Stocking stuffers under $30
2. Hostess gifts under $30
3. Gifts for Men under $30
4. Unusual gifts under $30

Feel free to email me a picture of your store table if you've already set up a similar display.