WIth many businesses finding themselves yet again behind closed doors due to lockdown 3.0, we wanted to share some tips and ideas that can be taken advantage of throughout January and February 2021 - helping to keep your loyal fans engaged and spending.

1-in-5 consumers intend to make a bigger effort than normal this Valentine’s Day, especially Generation Z and younger Millennials, according to a new consumer poll from Toggle and KAM Media.

A gift card is always perfect as a last-minute present or if you’re stuck for what to get someone for Christmas - you can’t ever really go wrong. But with many people unable to see their loved ones face-to-face this year, gift cards have also proved to be an easy way to show someone that you’re thinking of them during the locked-down festivities. We’ve delved into the data to highlight some notable December trends.

“We never imagined we’d surpass the £25,000 sold during the first lockdown and generate this kind of revenue just from selling gift cards.”

Whilst Black Friday has become a mainstay event in the UK’s trading calendar, it has only been adopted by hospitality relatively recently. The industry is in a torrid state with the pandemic restrictions biting and revenue streams severely hampered. Pre-sold revenue through gift cards sales and at-home experiences are amongst the few ways operators have been able to generate much-needed cash whilst doors have been closed - alongside pivoting to takeaways and selling retail products directly to customers. 

With the new tier restrictions coming into force next week, hospitality operators are having to come to terms with the reality that Christmas trading this year will be very different to a typical festive season.

Want to sleigh your gifting strategy for Christmas and boost your sales during the golden quarter of the year?

Toggle promotions are the perfect way to give your customers some Black Friday discounts (or any discounts for that matter!) Watch our short video, delivered by the Toggle Elf Lorna, to find out how to easily create promo codes.

Toggle CEO Dan Brookman has created a helpful video for Togglers and non-Togglers alike, rattling through 10 top tips in 10 minutes to make sure your business is on the front foot and selling experiences, gift cards and retail products directly to customers online this Christmas.

With the hospitality industry buckling under the weight of Covid-19 restrictions, it has never been more critical for restaurants, bars, pubs and other venues to diversify their revenue streams and sell online directly to customers whilst the doors are closed. Find out what hospitality businesses should be doing to ensure Black Friday isn't pitch black this year.