As the sun shines brighter and the temperature rises, there’s an undeniable shift in consumer shopping habits. Unlike other seasonal months, summer brings unique factors and influences that alter how people spend their money. To stay competitive, businesses across various industries will need to find ways to capitalise on these changing habits. One effective strategy to do this is through flexible finance options.
In this blog, we explore why consumer shopping habits change during the summer and how offering flexible finance options can help businesses in the aesthetic, dental, furniture and carpet/flooring industries to attract new customers.
Why consumer shopping habits change during the summer
Consumer habits change during the summer as the warm weather and longer days create a shift in mood and mindset, prompting consumers to seek products and experiences that align with the season. These can include:
- Seasonal foods
- Travel plans
- Outdoor equipment
- Aesthetic or dental treatment
- Summer sales
- Back-to-school preparations
- Home/office renovation projects
Additionally, the pleasant summer weather can help entice shoppers to go outside, enjoy the sunshine, and shop at physical stores rather than purchasing items online from the comfort of their homes.
Capitalising on the changing habits using flexible finance options
Now it’s time to discuss how offering flexible finance options can help businesses to capitalise on these changing habits and help to grow their business.
Aesthetics
Within the aesthetics industry, summer is often a peak season, with individuals looking to enhance their image ready for holidays, weddings, or other social events. By offering flexible finance options, aesthetic clinics can make their services more accessible and affordable for a wider audience. Customers can enjoy a range of aesthetic treatments such as Skin Rejuvenation, Laser Hair Removal, CoolSculpting, Dermal Fillers, Hydrafacials and more without worrying about high upfront costs.
Dental
Similar to the aesthetics industry, dentistry is another sector where many people look to get some work done or get a checkup to feel happy and have a smile as bright as the summer sun. However, with the current cost-of-living crisis and the cost of the different treatments, some customers may feel uncomfortable with spending large amounts of money all in one go. In fact, a study conducted by Healthwatch found that the number of people who have avoided going to the dentist due to the cost of treatment has increased to 15%, an increase of 3% from October 2022.
However, by offering flexible finance, dental practices can help patients overcome these barriers by allowing them to spread the cost of treatments over an agreed period of time, resulting in long-term relationships being built based on trust and affordability. Additionally, patients will be able to achieve their desired summer smile.
Renovation: Furniture and Flooring
The summer months are the perfect time for people to start renovation projects, whether it’s adding some new furniture pieces, such as a bed or a coffee table, or wanting to replace their floor with something new such as laminate or vinyl. Consumers will be searching around from shop to shop, looking for the best options that suit their needs. By offering flexible finance options, it will enable consumers to have the freedom to choose high-quality pieces that enhances their living space, all without putting a strain on their budget. Furthermore, this will allow furniture and flooring businesses to stay competitive and foster customer loyalty.
How can I apply for finance?
If you are looking to capitalise on the changes in consumer shopping habits during the summer and grow your business using finance options, get in touch with us today, and one of our experts will help guide you through the process and get your business ready to take on the summer!