The summer rush is over, kids are back to school, and it’s still a couple of months until Christmas events start. So how do you fill this pivotal time that could see a slow down for hospitality and leisure businesses? Do it right and it could be an excellent opportunity to refine your offering, enhance your space, and prepare for the busy festive season.
Understand your customer
Acknowledge the shift in who your customer is likely to be. Families may be replaced by businesspeople on the go or wanting a convenient place to work, couples who are looking for a place to relax and connect, or those with pre-school children who relish the opportunity to get out and about.
The warmer weather often extends into September and beyond, but a change from bright, airy summer spaces to cosier autumn environments will mark your intentions and create an inviting mood. You can generate the feeling of warmth and comfort with commercial furniture in rich hues such as stained wood, soft leather, or textures like velvet and boucle.
Top Tip: Modular or easily reconfigurable furniture is an easy way to cater for multiple customers, switching from casual coffee catchups to large group dinners.
Optimise your indoor space
As the days get shorter and cooler, guests will naturally gravitate to interiors that are warm and welcoming. Make sure you’ve given the inside of your venue a thorough clean before the season really ramps up and consider important elements for creating a cosy vibe such as lighting and heating.
To make your interiors more versatile, consider zoning with furniture. Different arrangements and types of furniture can be a great way to divide your space – rugs are also good at defining zones. For example, a hotel could create a dedicated co-working space in the lobby with high tables and bar stools. a relaxing lounge area with soft seating and coffee tables would be a nice idea for a pub or restaurant, and a café could use easy-clean, colourful polypropylene furniture to turn a corner into a fun space for parents with babies.
Shown here: Aztec 2-Seater Sofa, Aztec Lounge Armchair
With the increase of traffic inside your venue, you need to make sure that your furniture is up to the job. Commercial furniture is created to withstand constant use, moving, and cleaning. Domestic furniture just won’t do. Contract-grade furniture is also designed to be ergonomic, meaning it’s comfortable and promotes a healthy posture, encouraging guests to linger, work, or relax for longer.
Top Tip: There’s no need for a complete redesign. Simply add autumnal accents such as seasonal plants and flowers, cushions, and strategically placed armchairs.
Maximise outdoor areas
There are always customers who want to cling on to the last days of warmth, so don’t abandon your outside spaces too early, as they can be a real asset for maximising usable areas. In fact, sitting outdoors, all wrapped up, enjoying a drink in the late afternoon sun can be a quite romantic occasion.
Give your outdoor furniture a once-over to check for any wear and tear from summer use. Remove any damaged or broken products, and if you need to replace anything, make sure it’s contract-grade and designed for outside use. Materials like aluminium, treated wood, and polypropylene will endure the changeable autumnal weather. And don’t forget about practical storage for cushions, parasols, and smaller outdoor furniture pieces during inclement conditions.
You can make your outdoor areas more inviting by incorporating outdoor heaters, weather-proof parasols, and atmospheric lighting. Even small things like adding cushions to chairs and offering blankets to guests if they’re feeling chilly can really enhance the customer experience.
Top Tip: Our large commercial parasols, or jumbrellas, are available with integrated heating, lighting, and sound systems.
Capitalise on events and functions
The ‘back to school’ period often signals a return to corporate events, conferences, and private functions. These events can be a valuable source of revenue. Whether it’s a wedding reception, a team-building day, or a big birthday bash, you can make functions less stressful by choosing the right furniture. Also, if you’re catering for conferences and business meetings – make sure you’ve got plenty of power outlets for plugging in computers and charging devices, and free wi-fi that works is non-negotiable.
Moving and arranging heavy tables and chairs within tight deadlines can cause more than just a headache, so Eclipse are shaking up the industry. We’ve got a fantastic range of innovative furniture for events and functions that’s versatile, lightweight, and stackable. It looks so good, you’ll save money by not covering it with linen, and we’ve even got ranges that come with their own optional storage and transport trolleys.
Top Tip: Read our blog to discover How Eclipse Furniture is Transforming the Events & Functions Industry.
Shown here: Teddy Stacking Side Chair (Photo credit: Oliver Altus (Altus Events DE)
Futureproof your furniture
At Eclipse, we understand that commercial furniture is an investment, so before placing an order it’s worth considering long-term plans for the business and also the impact that your furniture has on the planet.
Sustainable and eco-friendly furniture has grown in popularity over the last few years. Responsibly sourced timber such as the Robinia wood in our Georgia Collection, recycled or recyclable materials as seen in our Rezzo Side Chairs, and sustainable elements like the bouclé in our Selma and Westbury Chairs are all now readily available in contract-grade furniture. Choosing this type of product not only benefits the environment but can also be a selling point for environmentally aware customers.
Investing in high-quality, durable commercial furniture is a sustainable choice in itself, as it reduces the need for frequent repairs or replacements. Also, furniture that can be easily reconfigured or rearranged extends its lifespan and reduces waste.
Top Tip: If you’re placing a commercial furniture order, think ahead to the winter season and what you may need. Buying in bulk will often bring the price down.
Shown here: Selma Armchair
Tips on boosting revenue during the autumn season
Embrace the autumn theme: It’s no secret that a lot of people love the autumn. Just stick ‘pumpkin spiced’ in front of something and it will be an instant bestseller! Seasonal menus, autumnal decorations, and special events like cider tasting, pumpkin carving, or acoustic music nights will attract guests if you advertise them far enough in advance.
Strategic promotions and partnerships: People love a bargain, so offering early bird deals or loyalty programs can make a big difference. It’s also a good idea to see what’s going on in the wider community. Are there any events or campaigns you can become a part of or local hashtags you can use to attract customers? Make sure you update your website and post regularly on social media to keep everyone aware of your seasonal specials.
Enhance the guest experience: After a long, and often hectic summer, autumn can be a time for comfort and relaxation. Ensure your staff provides a warm and welcoming service and encourage guests to leave reviews of your business. Word of mouth and positive feedback is your strongest marketing tool. And remember, it’s often the little things that make all the difference – a complimentary gingerbread man with every hot drink or locally made candles in a hotel room will give your guests that warm and fuzzy feeling.
Shown here: Ronda Stacking Side Chair, Portofino Armchair
Get in touch…
At Eclipse Furniture, we offer a wide range of high-quality, commercial-grade furniture designed to enhance your venue and built to last from season to season. Contact us today on 01452 336 520 or email sales@eclipsefurniture.co.uk for a complimentary consultation and let us help you choose the furniture for your business.
