We’re fast approaching the time of year when it can feel like you’re running a marathon on a tightrope. Customers need attention. Promotions are queued up to be launched (or designed). Your inventory is giving you nightmares, and you have huge goals for the end of the year.

And you’re supposed to stay cheerful, strategic, and somehow well-rested through it all.

But the problem isn’t your big aspirations for 2026, nor does the problem lie in trying to solve the things you can’t control.

It’s your habits.

Traditionally, marketers at this time of year are busy trying to attract Black Friday and other shoppers in the days right after Thanksgiving. But thanks to the uptick in pre-Black Friday sales, today’s customers are shopping earlier than ever, spreading out their spending and looking for ways to avoid the December scramble. In fact, nearly half of U.S. shoppers now begin their holiday shopping before Black Friday.

That means November isn’t just the warm-up. It’s your time to shine. With a few smart strategies, you can pull in customers before the big-box stores roll out their doorbusters and get a head start on holiday profits. Here are 10 ways to catch shoppers’ attention.

It’s officially that time of year where you have to keep looking at the calendar because it’s so hard to believe how quickly time is going or as we like to say—it’s Blurvember.

The holidays have a way of sneaking up on even the most prepared businesses. One minute you’re stocking fall candles and the next you’re wondering where the extra rolls of gift wrap went.

This is the moment to tighten things up so you can enjoy the revenue boost without feeling like you’re sprinting through December.

Here are five simple, high-impact updates your business can make right now (some so quick you can implement them between customers) to get ahead of the holiday rush.

Join us for Small Business Season (November 1st - December 31st) and make this holiday shopping experience truly meaningful by remembering that Every Purchase Has a Purpose. The local shops, cozy cafés, and family restaurants are the heart of our community and the backdrop of your cherished holiday traditions, and when you choose to spend local, you're not just buying a product; you're directly fueling local jobs, strengthening the economy, and supporting the neighbors who make our town feel like home. Ready to make an impact? Click through to the full blog post to see how you can discover one-of-a-kind treasures, participate in festive happenings, and amplify the voices of our hard-working small businesses.