May marks the start of Home Improvement Month—a time when homeowners, renters and DIY enthusiasts gear up for their next big projects. As temperatures rise and spring cleaning wraps up, customers are ready to transform their living spaces with fresh ideas and new supplies.
Home, hardware and garden retailers all have a golden opportunity in front of them to connect with motivated shoppers during this seasonal peak. Successful retailers maximize this month-long focus on home improvements by offering expert guidance, stocking essential supplies and creating engaging customer experiences.
With the right preparation and strategy, you too can become a go-to destination for shoppers’ home improvement needs. Let’s explore how to make the most of this retail moment and turn project-focused shoppers into long-term customers.
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The impact of Home Improvement Month
Home Improvement Month brings with it a sharp rise in consumer interest as remodeling, DIY projects and home upgrades take center stage. On average, home renovators will spend around $52,000 all together on their projects, with a lot of this spending starting in the spring.
This sudden interest isn’t random. Longer days and warmer weather push homeowners to finally start postponed projects, and refresh tired spaces. Retailers who respond with the right stock, targeted promotions and clear messaging can position themselves as the first stop for home improvement shoppers. Keep reading to learn more about preparing your stores for Home Improvement Month.
Tailor marketing campaigns
Home Improvement Month is your chance to position your store as the go-to place for home upgrades. Customers are actively looking for tools, supplies and tips to tackle remodeling projects—so meeting them with the right campaigns is key. The focus should be on creating promotions and incentives that grab attention and build customer loyalty long after May.
Key features of effective campaigns
Positioning your business as an expert
Customers trust businesses that know their stuff. Use Home Improvement Month as a chance to showcase your expertise in small but meaningful ways. Create simple tip sheets or how-to displays in-store that answer common DIY questions. Share helpful advice on social media, like product comparisons, project timelines or seasonal must-haves. Feature staff picks or “pro tips” to highlight your team’s experience. By offering guidance alongside your products, you’re not just selling, you’re showing that you understand what customers need.
Targeting promotions and loyalty programs
Seasonal promotions work, especially when they’re tied to what your customers are already interested in. Discounts on outdoor living essentials or buy-more-save-more deals on tools can drive urgency. Reward loyal shoppers with perks like double loyalty points for purchases during May. You can even use customer data from your Lightspeed POS system to retarget past buyers, thanks to highly detailed customer profiles.
Promoting campaigns across multiple channels
Customers shop through multiple channels, so you need to ensure that your campaigns are showing up where they are. Highlight your promotions through social media ads, share before-and-after project ideas and post customer success stories. Back it up with in-store signage and email campaigns to create a seamless message that connects with customers both online and in store.
Why tailor campaigns? The pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Boosts foot traffic and online engagement during a peak shopping period | Requires time to analyze customer data and align campaigns with trends |
| Positions your store as a trusted source for home improvement tools and advice | May involve training staff to execute promotions and handle increased demand |
| Strengthens customer relationships through loyalty incentives and personalized offers | May require a financial investment |
Optimize inventory and merchandising
Home Improvement Month is no time to be missing key pieces of stock. In preparing for this time of year, you should be focused on stocking products that usually trend in the spring. This may be yard-care supplies, power tools, décor pieces or other products loved by your local customers. Review last year’s sales reports to spot patterns and stock up on items that are most likely to fly off the shelves.
When it comes to merchandising, your strategy must focus on driving action rather than just looking appealing. Seasonal displays should spotlight products tied to spring and summer projects, like outdoor furniture or patio lighting. Use eye-catching signage to highlight urgency with messages about limited time deals. The right display can be just what customers need to go from browsing to buying.
How POS software can help
Managing seasonal inventory across multiple locations can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be with powerful inventory management from Lightspeed. With Lightspeed POS, you can monitor stock in real time, move products between locations as needed and avoid running out of high-demand items. Automated reorder points ensure you’re always prepared, so you’re not losing sales to empty shelves, either.
Convert interested customers into loyal ones
Getting a potential customer’s attention is a great start, but what matters most is what comes after that. Home Improvement Month offers the perfect chance to turn these casual browsers into devoted customers. It’s not just about making a sale; it’s about building trust, delivering value and creating experiences that keep them coming back.
Reward repeat business with referral and loyalty programs
Loyalty and referral programs aren’t just nice extras, they’re powerful tools for driving repeat business. Tiered rewards work because they give customers a reason to spend more. The higher the tier, the better the perks. Referral programs take it a step further by turning your happy customers into advocates. Rewarding them for bringing friends or family creates a win-win situation—new customers for you, rewards for them.
The right POS system makes managing these programs simple. Systems like Lightspeed’s can track customer purchases and help you create personalized rewards. For instance, frequent buyers of tools might appreciate exclusive discounts on workshop materials or early access to seasonal product launches. When rewards feel tailored, they resonate.
Strengthen relationships with follow-ups
Follow-up communications are a great way to keep your business top of mind for shoppers. A thank-you email after a purchase can go a long way, especially when paired with helpful tips or product recommendations. For customers who attend events at your stores like workshops, send a recap or an exclusive discount on tools used during the session. Lightspeed can help you keep in touch with built-in email marketing tools that can send out automated emails, such as abandoned cart reminders.
Consistency is key. Every follow-up is a chance to show customers that your relationship doesn’t end at the register. It’s not just about making a sale; it’s about earning their trust for the long haul.
Expand your digital and omnichannel presence
If you don’t have an extensive online presence, you’re missing out. Plain and simple. When shoppers are planning their home improvement projects, their first stop is often the internet. They’re searching for renovation supplies, décor options and inspiration. By having a presence online and making your products available for purchase, you make it simple for local customers to browse, buy and even choose pickup or local delivery if you offer it.
Omnichannel integration ensures everything works as it should. Real-time inventory updates prevent overselling, whether the purchase happens online or in-store. With tools that connect your ecommerce site to social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, you can promote products directly and manage every order in one place. Lightspeed POS integrates with all the popular sites and marketplaces you want to sell on, and centralizes management in just one dashboard.
The bottom line
Home improvement month is your chance to drive sales, attract loyal customers and position your store as the go-to source for home renovation needs. Every strategy—whether it’s a targeted promotion or a big new display—should focus on delivering what your customers want and need. It’s not just about a busy May; it’s about building trust that keeps customers coming back.