mornin’ merry makers 💸 💶 💰 💳 💎
something shifted for me this month..
after years of writing about retail trends, brand expansions, & store strategies, i kept getting the same question: "this is fascinating, but how do i actually do this in my stores?"
fair question.
because knowing dick's sporting goods is crushing it doesn't help you figure out how to staff your registers on black friday. reading about jacquemus opening in beverly hills doesn't solve your cash deposit chaos in december.
so i'm doubling down on something new:
giving you the tactical, operational playbook that actually helps you run better stores.
& i'm starting with the busiest, most chaotic retail season of the year
cash in on the holiday playbook
back in early september in partnership with clip money, i asked you to fill out a survey. thank you again to all of you that showed up. hope you enjoyed your doordash & free merry membership <3
you helped co-create something extremely useful.
i partnered with clip money to analyze your survey responses alongside their network data from thousands of retail locations. the result is a report that connects what shoppers want with what operators need to deliver it.
this is the kind of intel that finance teams & regional managers actually need.
& you helped build it!
your practical guide in preparing, surviving, (& winning) the holiday cash surge!
what's clipped inside
here’s a taste of what you get in the playbook:
→ when shoppers actually show up: forget the "black friday only" myth. the data reveals the extended holiday curve & when your stores will really feel the pressure (hint: it's not when you think).
→ the 10-minute rule: nearly 4 out of 5 customers will abandon a purchase if they can't check out within 10 minutes. the report breaks down exactly how to prevent this.
→ the cash surge nobody prepares for: cash transaction activity jumps 11% in november & december. average deposit values spike 60-70%. most retailers don't forecast for this. (you're about to.)
→ the hidden time sink: stores waste 20-45 minutes per deposit using manual processes. during the holidays, that's 15-30 hours per store. gone. the playbook shows you how to reclaim it.
→ what actually motivates in-store shopping: it's not just convenience. the data reveals the emotional drivers that bring customers through your doors (& how to amplify them).
why this is liquid gold
if you're in retail operations, finance, or store leadership, you know the holidays test everything.
your staffing plans. your cash handling processes. your ability to keep lines moving when every second matters.
the timing reality of this playbook is that is serves two critical needs:
for this holiday season (right now): the report includes immediate tactical moves you can make in the next few days. forecasting your deposit surges. planning change orders before the rush. optimizing staff schedules around peak traffic. these are operational wins you can implement today for smoother holidays.
for 2026 planning (happening now): if you're in budgeting season for next year, this is your moment to rethink cash management infrastructure. the data in this report makes the business case for why modernizing your cash processes can’t wait any longer. it's too late to overhaul systems before black friday, but it's the perfect time to build the budget case for 2026.
the retailers who win are already thinking about both timelines at once. they're optimizing for this season while building the case for next year
clip it, download it, use it!
the 2025 holiday retail cash playbook is live & ready for you.
all the survey insights. all the operational metrics. all the tactical frameworks you need to execute your best holiday season this year & going forward!
black friday is 1 week away.
time is tender.
download it now, use it today👇
compounding interest
this playbook exists thanks to you!
with the help from my favorite merry partner of the year, clip money, we turned your answers into a FREE 17-page playbook you can actually use.
something that makes your job (& life) easier.
this is exactly what i will be building lots more of. more frameworks. more deep dives. more partners who get it. we’re building a community of retail operators who tell the truth, trade tools, and make stores actually work better.
because after dozens of reader conversations, i’ve learned that you don’t just want retail inspo, you want systems that scale and stores that shine.
that’s the magic we’re merrymaking together ✨
