By Tony Huppert, CEO, Team Oil Inc.
The holiday shopping results for this year have been mixed. Reports have been negative on the expected sales reports.
My son and business partner Eric and I differ on our opinions on the sales reports. He believes the economy is doing better, so the retailers didn’t have the low cut sales as in the past. The thought of not giving it away turned a lot of buyers off.
My take on the holiday sales is, years ago the majority of shopping was done during this time of the year. Everyone in the family would look forward to the new items and gifts. I believe times have changed. If a person has any disposable income, they will buy whatever they need, no matter what time of the year it is. We live in a society that lives for today.
Years ago, individuals would look forward to the weekend to visit with family and friends. Now it is done constantly on Facebook or other social Medias. We are a now society. Customers want it now.
We have created this society through technology, education and global pressure, ‘DEAL WITH IT’.
The key is to generate revenue year-round and not rely so heavily on the holiday season to balance the books. Trying to balance the books during the holiday season reminds me of the football game when the fans would say, “The kicker lost the game.” Trust me, the game was lost way before the kicker screwed up.
Tony Huppert is a Wisconsin businessman of 40 years and CEO of Team Oil Inc., the family-owned and operated Team Oil Travel Center, and Subway in Spring Valley, Wis.