As the summer sun shines and more holidaymakers opt to explore closer to home, the staycation trend presents a golden opportunity for car accessory retailers to boost sales and support their customers with seasonal essentials. Whether it’s families heading to the coast, cyclists exploring the countryside, or road trippers crossing the UK, there’s one thing they all have in common: they need to be properly equipped.
At Simply Brands, we’ve curated a comprehensive range of summer must-haves – from car cleaning to breakdown kits, cycling gear to travel accessories – specifically with staycations in mind. Below, we break down how retailers can turn these into smart upsell opportunities at the point of sale or online.
1. Capitalise on Clean Cars Before They Hit the Road
Upselling Tip: Position car cleaning kits as the first step in any road trip.
Customers preparing for a road trip often want their vehicle to look its best. Highlight the convenience of a complete car valet kit or the powerful cleaning delivered by a snow foam bottle by creating bundled “Pre-Trip Clean-Up” deals. Display these products prominently alongside travel accessories or even air fresheners to encourage add-ons.
Suggested Upsells:
– Snow foam bottle
– 7-piece valet kit
– Pump sprayer
– Flexi blade
– Wet & dry vacuum
Use signage or e-commerce banners with messaging like: “Heading off this summer? Give your car the valet treatment before you go!”
2. Ride the Cycling Boom
Upselling Tip: Offer cycle accessories as part of a “Staycation Adventure Kit” or near bike racks and carriers.
Since launching Simply Brands Cycling, demand has grown rapidly – and it’s no surprise. Many staycationers bring bikes along for the ride. Retailers should create themed displays or digital collections around “bike-ready travel” and include essentials such as locks, lights, and puncture repair kits.
Suggested Add-Ons:
– Bike locks
– Puncture repair kits
– Pedals, lights, bottle holders
– Handlebar and cycle bags
– Tyre pumps and inner tubes
Train staff to ask: “Taking bikes with you? Do you have everything you need in case of a puncture or mechanical issue on the go?”
3. Don’t Let a Breakdown Break the Holiday
Upselling Tip: Promote breakdown products as peace-of-mind purchases.
No one plans for a breakdown, but smart drivers prepare for one. Car accessory retailers should position these items as travel insurance for your vehicle. Power packs, jump leads, and tow straps are ideal impulse buys when paired with other travel-related products.
Must-Haves to Stock:
– Portable jump starters
– High visibility jackets
– Tow straps and jacks
– Emergency warning triangles
Retail display idea: Create a “Road Trip Safety Essentials” section near checkout counters or as an add-on recommendation online.
4. Support Travellers Going Abroad
Upselling Tip: Create a “Don’t Forget These for Europe” checklist at your till or checkout page.
For customers travelling across the Channel, ensure you have all legal requirements front and centre – and make it easy to grab everything in one go. Consider offering a bundled European Travel Kit that includes reflectors, UK stickers, and bulb kits.
Key Products:
– Headlamp beam reflectors
– UK car stickers
– European travel kits
– Universal bulb kits
Pro tip: Upsell these when customers are purchasing roof boxes, luggage racks, or sat navs with European maps.
5. Train Staff to Ask the Right Questions
Encourage your team to engage customers by asking:
– “Are you heading away this summer?”
– “Do you need anything to make your car journey more comfortable or safer?”
– “Taking your bikes or travelling abroad?”
Empower them with product knowledge and bundles so they can confidently recommend solutions for different types of travellers.
Final Thoughts: Prepare Now, Profit All Season
Simply Brands is here to help you stock up on the right mix of high-quality, competitively priced products for the summer season. By focusing on themed upselling, clever merchandising, and proactive customer engagement, you can maximise both customer satisfaction and sales during the staycation surge.
For more information on stocking these ranges, contact us or your local Simply Brands distributor today.
