Today, your data must back your strategic decisions. Analysing sales data moves you from gut feel to certainty, revealing what boosts profits. Your POS system captures this info to refine growth strategies.
Analysing Halloween Sales Performance
Begin by extracting detailed insights from your POS system to evaluate Halloween results.
Your POS system has the information you need. It's there, waiting for you to dig in. Here is how to gather insights you can use.
Getting Started: Your First Data Deep Dive
Here's how you can tap into this resource to gain a clear picture of your performance:
Accessing Your Sales Comparison Report
Knowing where your business is going is essential.
Now is an appropriate time to take a quick look at how well you did in 2024, where you are now in retail strategy and compare your performance to previous years.
Go to the register reports.
Now select the item marked "Sales Comparison for a Given period".
Key Performance Metrics to Track
Let's use a month of information as the holiday starts nowadays, long before the actual day, and continues a bit after. Here's how to do it:
Conducting a Month Analysis
First Comparison:
Input the date range: 06/10/2024 to 06/11/2024 AND 06/10/2025 to 06/11/2025.
Run the report and note key figures
Second Comparison:
Return to the report and input: 06/10/2023 to 06/11/2023 AND 06/10/2025 to 06/11/2025.
Record key statistics
These data points give you a solid foundation for understanding your business's performance over the past two years.
Visualising
A simple graph of your annual turnover can provide a clear visual representation of your business's growth trajectory.
Go to the Cash register.
Then go to Sales - Register Select Dissection Monthly Sales Trend (Graph)
Please select the date range. I suggest 4 weeks, 06/10/2025 to 06/11/2025
As you examine your sales data, ask yourself:
Is there a consistent upward trend in turnover?
Are there any noticeable dips or spikes? What might have caused these?
How does your 2025 performance compare to previous years?
What factors influenced your sales performance over this period?
Now, go back and look at the past two years. Two years is good, as you can see from the seasonal variations.
Remember, this analysis isn't about numbers. It's about understanding the story. We are using these numbers to gain insights that will help us make a strategy for the future.
Essential Metrics for Evaluation
Prioritise these indicators when reviewing reports to assess the impact of your initiatives.
Turnover is a good start as it shows what customers spent in your shop. This top-level figure gauges overall success.
Examine sales by category to pinpoint strong performers. For example, compare revenue from Halloween gifts, cards, books, and magazines; a surge in themed decor might signal inventory adjustments for future seasons.
Track transaction volume to measure customer engagement. Higher numbers suggest effective marketing and better conversion of store traffic.
Average transaction value reveals spending habits. An uptick indicates successful upselling, such as bundling items, while a decrease may require review of promotions.
Leveraging Advanced POS Features
While this simple analysis provides valuable insights, your POS system offers even more advanced reporting capabilities. Use these features to uncover powerful insights that will drive your business decisions:
Written by:
Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.
