As we step into November, I always find myself reflecting on why Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I think it’s because it represents the calm before the storm — the brief, grounding moment when the world feels a little quieter, the pace feels manageable, and gratitude takes center stage. (Of course, my grocery clients will probably beg to differ, considering their storm has already begun.)

For the rest of us, Thanksgiving is that final pause before the retail engines really rev into high gear. Stores transform overnight, shoppers surge, promotions escalate, and every person on the front line carries the weight of making the season magical.

In the middle of all that chaos, it’s amazing how much of a difference one simple thing can make: leadership presence. Regardless of whether you’re onsite or leading virtually, during peak season being present is one of the most powerful leadership tools you have.

Small Actions, Big Impact: Tips for Providing Presence and Support

Sales volume goes up during your peak seasons … and so does everything else:

  • More freight, more unpacking, more merchandising and promotions
  • More customers, who are often more stressed out
  • More competing priorities — from your personal shopping to the needs of your customers to last-minute and longer shifts due to staffing shortages and increased customer traffic
  • More fatigue, burnout, and frustration all around

As a retail leader, your plate is clearly already very full. But the good news is, support doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful. Especially this time of year, the little things don’t mean much; they mean everything to your store associates and leaders. Here are a few simple yet powerful ways you can make a big impact with your teams:

  1. Be Visible and Accessible

Whether on the floor, on a call, or in a text message, even short check-ins remind teams they’re not alone. A three-minute encouraging conversation can validate the entire day for a team member.

  1. Listen Actively and Observe More

People often reveal their stress in subtle ways. Pay attention, ask open-ended questions, and read cues. Sometimes just listening with empathy is all it takes to help someone exhale.

  1. Celebrate the Unseen Work

The early-morning freight processing, the late-night recoveries, the extra miles walked through the store on any given day ... recognize the effort that goes on behind the scenes and recognize it often. Call it out specifically, acknowledge the impact, and underscore why it’s so important.

  1. Remove Barriers Whenever Possible

Small adjustments, such as clarifying priorities, simplifying processes, or stepping in to help problem-solve, can lighten the load more than you realize.

  1. Encourage Micro-Moments of Recovery

Invite your teams to step away, hydrate, and breathe so they can return with more energy. Even three to five minutes can help reset the mind.

  1. Spread Joy Intentionally

A quick thank-you text, a shared laugh, a warm greeting, a tray of snacks or fresh baked cookies, or a genuine act of appreciation are all deceptively simple but powerful ways to keep spirits high.

  1. Smile and Giggle

Find a reason to crack a smile and make light of something that seems routine. We often don’t laugh, play, or giggle enough when we’re under the weight of the stress and pressure of the holiday season. Try to bring some lighthearted fun and release to the store teams to make them realize it will all be over soon, so let’s enjoy it while we can!

A Brighter Season for Everyone

There’s no question about it, peak season can be demanding. But presence, empathy, and small acts of support and kindness help create a holiday environment that feels meaningful, not just manageable.

When leaders model these simple acts, the benefits ripple outward:

  • Store teams feel valued
  • Customers feel better served
  • And leadership teams stay grounded in what matters most: people

Bottom line, your presence is a gift that keeps on giving.

As we take that brief moment of calm before the rush this Thanksgiving, my wish for you is simple: Stay connected, stay compassionate, and remember the extraordinary impact you have on those who are working tirelessly to bring holiday magic to life.

Here’s to a brighter, more supported season — for your teams, for your customers, and for you.

Posted in Holiday Retail, Retail Multiunit Management, Retail Store Leadership, Store Support Leadership
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About Mary Beth Garcia

Mary Beth has worked with a variety of retail and hospitality clients as a strategic partner, delivering leadership, communications, retail programs, consulting, and executive coaching for such diverse companies as Academy Sports and Outdoors, Altar’d State, Amazon Fresh, Advanced Auto Parts, Bvlgari, Cardinal Health, Compass Group, Darden, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Foot Locker Group, Haggar Clothing, King Ranch, LVMH, Michaels, Saks Department Store Group, SMCP, Southeastern Grocers, TBC, TJX Companies, Ulta Beauty, and Whole Foods Market. Prior to her consulting work, Mary Beth spent more than 20 years in retail management and operations for companies such as Macys, g.Briggs, The Bombay Company, and Sunglass Hut International, holding numerous leadership positions in sales, store, district, and regional management and corporate communications, training, and operations. Based in Miami, FL, Mary Beth served on the Executive Advisory Board for the University of Florida’s Retail Education and Research Department from 2003-2014. She holds an A.A. Degree in Retail Management and Fashion Merchandising from Bauder College.