Across all categories of retailers, the holiday season may not be as important as you might think. In 2023, the fourth quarter only accounted for 26.3% of total retail sales in the United States—translating to only 1.3% higher than if sales were distributed evenly throughout the year.

Check out this infographic of top stats across all sales seasons of the year for a more comprehensive view of the retail rhythm.

Whether you're preparing for the holiday rush or gearing up for a viral product launch, having a game plan is key. Does planning your whole year in advance sound a little intimidating? It doesn’t have to be; mapping out the big picture of your annual roadmap before getting into the nitty-gritty is a game-changer.

Use this quarterly calendar planner to help you break down your goals into bite-sized, manageable chunks so you can stay on top of your game all year long. 

Having a strong grasp of your purpose, the "why" behind your business, is about more than just being the best in the field; it’s about the core values and motivations that keep you running every day. This not only helps align company goals but also drives engagement, inspires employees, and resonates with customers.

This field guide explains how to define your purpose to ramp up your business growth—leading to enhanced customer loyalty, operational success, and ability to handle the challenges that come with demand surges.   

Navigating volume surges in ecommerce—whether it's the holiday season, a major promotional event, a viral product launch, or unexpected market changes—is a lot like surfing: thrilling but challenging. Building a flexible, agile, and responsive labor strategy is essential to staying afloat amidst undulating demand.

This tip sheet breaks down the labor management basics you’ll need to ride the waves of demand surges so your business can thrive in any market conditions.