When and how business arrives.
WHAT TO LOOK AT
Sales by month, week and day Sales by hour, for retail and hospitality Sales by channel Average order value over time
WHAT THAT REVEALS
Seasonal patterns Busy and quiet periods within the week When staffing is wrong Whether order values are rising or falling
WHAT TO DO WITH TIMING PATTERNS
Match staffing and stock to demand Schedule maintenance and admin in quiet periods Promote into quiet periods rather than busy ones
WHAT TO CHECK ABOUT AVERAGE ORDER VALUE
Whether a change is volume or composition.
More small orders and the same large ones is a different situation from everyone spending less.
WHAT TO WATCH
A rising number of orders with falling value Discounting increasing
WHAT TO COMPARE
Channels against each other, on margin rather than revenue.
WHAT TO PLOT
At least two years, so seasonality is visible.
WHAT TO RECORD
The pattern, so planning uses it.
