With Christmas and New Year behind us, European retailers are focusing all their attention on the Winter Sales season.

Traffic counting and analytics tech provider ShopperTrak has examined key European markets to spot past Winter Sales trends, and to pinpoint the likely peaks in the coming weeks, country-by-country.

With traffic data insight it’s easier to plan for the busiest times in stores, enticing customers with eye-catching discounts, but also delivering customer comfort and service excellence when it matters. Staff scheduling – tailored to predicted peaks and valleys in traffic – is of paramount importance to deal with lengthy queues at payment points, to keep stock moving and to ensure the sales floor remains as tidy as possible at this hectic time.

ShopperTrak predicts

• France – Busiest days around 9^th and 12^th January
• UK – 2^nd Jan will be the busiest weekday in January, but Saturday 5^th will likely be busier overall
• Spain – sales traffic peaks post-Epiphany
• Italy  – 6^th January likely to be the busiest shopping day

Read the full analysis here.

Start 2019 on a conversion high

Consumer confidence is under pressure in many European countries, so shoppers will be tightening their belts after the expense of Christmas, and keen to dig out the best bargains.

Retailers in tune with expected shopper behaviour patterns will be well-positioned to meet their needs, and in doing so, accelerate conversions as we head into 2019.

Find out how to use traffic data in retail strategy, and drive better performance in stores.