Oct 1, 2026 · 12 min · 7 segments
Q4 has a way of filling every available minute. Stock is arriving. Orders need to be packed. Staff need to be rostered. Customers need help. Christmas ranges need organizing. And somewhere in the…
Salena KnightHost
Because here's what I know from experience the next three months look like for most store owners.

The customer whose parcel has gone missing, who's emailed you three times and is now messaging on Instagram as well, just in case.

The casual who didn't turn up on Saturday and the regular marketing that was supposed to go out three days ago.

It is stuck on the side of the till with a bit of tape or it's a note in your phone.

And on that list, you will find things like the Christmas gift guide, the email about the new range that you have to send out, plan my Black Friday, the reminder that needs to go out with the last shipping dates, the post about gift cards, which you know has to go out in October.

And every single one of them is sitting there waiting for a gap in your day, a day that is already overfilled.

One of the retailers I was talking to last week owns a fashion boutique and she said something to me that I have heard way too many times.

She said, Sal, I don't feel like I am going to be able to survive Q4 if I am working in the shop this much.

And given that she's already shorthanded, she doesn't want to rock the boat in case the junior leaves.

Because here's what I know from experience the next three months look like for most store owners.

The customer whose parcel has gone missing, who's emailed you three times and is now messaging on Instagram as well, just in case.

The casual who didn't turn up on Saturday and the regular marketing that was supposed to go out three days ago.

It is stuck on the side of the till with a bit of tape or it's a note in your phone.

And on that list, you will find things like the Christmas gift guide, the email about the new range that you have to send out, plan my Black Friday, the reminder that needs to go out with the last shipping dates, the post about gift cards, which you know has to go out in October.

And every single one of them is sitting there waiting for a gap in your day, a day that is already overfilled.

One of the retailers I was talking to last week owns a fashion boutique and she said something to me that I have heard way too many times.

She said, Sal, I don't feel like I am going to be able to survive Q4 if I am working in the shop this much.

And given that she's already shorthanded, she doesn't want to rock the boat in case the junior leaves.
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