Super Saturday 2025: BOPIS Playbook for December 20

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By December 20, the game has changed completely.

Super Saturday 2025—Saturday, December 20—is the last Saturday before Christmas and one of the busiest in-store shopping days of the year.

Standard shipping windows have closed. Even expedited shipping is unreliable for most addresses by December 20. Panic has set in. Desperate shoppers flood stores making final purchases with the certainty that comes from walking out with products in hand.

According to retail industry tracking, Super Saturday often generates in-store traffic comparable to Black Friday—but with a critical difference: Super Saturday shoppers aren't browsing for deals, they're buying out of necessity. That desperation creates opportunity.

For retailers with physical locations, Super Saturday is about BOPIS (Buy Online, Pick Up In Store) optimization—capturing online orders and converting them to same-day store pickups. For online-only retailers, Super Saturday is about gift cards—digital delivery that solves the "shipping is too late" problem.

This guide provides the complete playbook for both scenarios: the BOPIS operational requirements that turn Super Saturday into a revenue bonanza for brick-and-mortar retailers, and the gift card strategies that let online-only retailers participate in last-minute shopping without shipping a single package.

What Is Super Saturday & Why December 20, 2025?

Super Saturday is the last Saturday before Christmas—in 2025, that's Saturday, December 20.

The Origin & Significance

The term "Super Saturday" emerged in retail industry parlance to describe the final major shopping Saturday before Christmas—historically one of the busiest in-store shopping days alongside Black Friday. Unlike Black Friday (fixed as the day after Thanksgiving), Super Saturday's date shifts based on when December 25 falls in the week.

When Christmas falls on Thursday (as it does in 2025), Super Saturday is December 20—giving shoppers exactly 5 days until Christmas, with Sunday-Wednesday remaining for truly last-minute purchases.

Why Super Saturday Matters

By December 20, shopping behavior has fundamentally shifted:

Early-to-mid December (Dec 1-15): Shoppers browse leisurely, hunting for deals, comfortable with shipping timelines. Conversion is driven by discounts and free shipping offers (Green Monday, Free Shipping Day).

Late December (Dec 16-20): Shipping anxiety has set in. Standard shipping closed December 17-18 (see complete shipping deadlines). Even expedited shipping becomes questionable. Shoppers need certainty—walking out with products or instant digital delivery.

Final days (Dec 21-24): Pure panic. In-store only (plus digital gift cards). Price sensitivity collapses—people pay whatever it takes to avoid showing up Christmas morning empty-handed.

Super Saturday (Dec 20) is the last day when both in-store shopping and same-day store pickup are viable at scale. After Saturday, Sunday-Wednesday become true "last resort" days with diminishing inventory and increasing desperation.

Super Saturday vs. Black Friday

Both generate massive in-store traffic, but shopper psychology differs:

Black Friday:

• Deal-hunting mentality
• Browsing and comparison shopping
• Price-sensitive; will walk away if not satisfied
• Traffic spreads across entire day (6 AM - 10 PM)
• Focus: doorbusters and deep discounts

Super Saturday:

• Urgency and necessity mentality
• Targeted purchasing—know what they need
• Price-insensitive (within reason); need completion
• Traffic concentrates 10 AM - 6 PM (prime shopping hours)
• Focus: in-stock availability and instant gratification

This psychological difference means Super Saturday requires less aggressive discounting (15-20% vs. Black Friday's 30-40%) because urgency drives conversions more effectively than price.

The BOPIS Advantage

BOPIS (Buy Online, Pick Up In Store) turns Super Saturday from just a retail store event into an omnichannel opportunity:

• Captures online shoppers who no longer trust shipping but don't want to browse in crowded stores
• Reduces friction: "Order now on your phone, pick up in 2 hours"
• Drives additional purchases: 30-40% of BOPIS pickups result in additional in-store purchases (impulse items, last-minute additions)
• Extends geographic reach: Customers within 30-minute drive become viable same-day shoppers

For retailers with physical locations, BOPIS is the Super Saturday differentiator that captures revenue competitors without stores can't access.

Complete BOPIS Operational Playbook

BOPIS done well generates substantial Super Saturday revenue. BOPIS done poorly creates customer service nightmares. Here's how to execute flawlessly.

Pre-Super Saturday Setup (December 15-19)

1. Inventory Accuracy (Critical)

Nothing destroys customer trust faster than "order placed, pickup ready in 2 hours" followed by "sorry, we're actually out of stock."

Action items:

• Conduct full physical inventory counts December 15-17 (especially on popular gift items)
• Update ecommerce platform with accurate store-level inventory
• Set conservative "available for pickup" thresholds (if you have 5 units, show 3 available—buffers for in-store sales)
• Flag items that are "online order only" vs. "available for pickup"
• Have backup communication process for "sold out after order placed" scenarios (call customer immediately, offer alternatives)

2. Staffing Plan

Super Saturday requires 2-3x normal Saturday staffing:

• Dedicated BOPIS fulfillment team: 2-4 employees whose ONLY job is processing online orders for pickup (not helping in-store customers)
• Dedicated pickup counter: Separate from regular checkout to avoid line congestion
• Curbside coordinator (if offering): 1 person managing parking lot pickups
• Floor staff: Normal staffing × 2 for in-store customer assistance
• Registers: All registers staffed 10 AM - 6 PM (peak hours)

3. Physical Store Setup

• Create dedicated "Online Order Pickup" area with clear signage (separate from returns/customer service)
• Designate 2-3 parking spaces as "Online Order Curbside Pickup" (cones, signs, visible from street)
• Pre-stage bags/boxes for pickup orders (customer name clearly visible)
• Have staging area for "order ready" items separate from "order being processed"
• Test Wi-Fi capacity—lots of customers will be on phones using store Wi-Fi to place orders

4. Technology & Systems

• Test BOPIS order flow end-to-end (place test order, fulfill, notify customer, pickup)
• Verify SMS/email notification system works ("Your order is ready for pickup")
• Ensure POS system can easily locate BOPIS orders by name/order number
• Have backup process if systems go down (paper tracking, manual fulfillment)
• Set realistic pickup time windows (2-4 hours during Super Saturday is reasonable; same-day guarantees are risky if volume spikes)

Super Saturday Day-Of Operations (December 20)

Morning Launch (8 AM - Noon)

• All staff arrive 1 hour before store opens for briefing
• BOPIS team begins processing overnight orders immediately (clear backlog before 10 AM rush)
• Test all systems one final time
• Post signage: "Order Online, Pick Up Today—Ready in 2 Hours"
• Send morning email/SMS to local customer list: "Order by noon, pick up today"

Peak Hours (Noon - 6 PM)

• BOPIS team focuses exclusively on order fulfillment (2-hour window from order placement to "ready" notification)
• Monitor order queue—if backlog grows beyond 2 hours, pause online ordering temporarily or extend pickup window
• Proactive customer communication: If delays occur, text customers immediately with updated pickup times
• Curbside coordinator processes parking lot pickups every 10-15 minutes (don't make customers wait 30+ minutes in cars)
• Floor staff identifies BOPIS pickup customers and directs them to dedicated counter (avoid regular checkout lines)

Evening Wind-Down (6 PM - Close)

• Stop accepting new BOPIS orders 2-3 hours before store closes (if you close at 9 PM, last order at 6-7 PM)
• Clear all remaining pickup orders
• Contact any customers who haven't picked up orders: "We're closing in X hours—please pick up tonight or tomorrow"
• Prepare for Sunday operations (Super Saturday volume often extends into Sunday)

BOPIS Offer Structure for Super Saturday

Offer 1: Same-Day Pickup Discount

"15% off online orders picked up today—order by [time], pick up in 2 hours"

Why it works: Rewards customers choosing BOPIS (which saves you shipping costs) while the discount is modest enough to protect margins.

Offer 2: Free Gift with BOPIS

"Free [gift item] with any online order picked up today"

Why it works: Low-cost gift (samples, accessories) creates perceived value without deep discounting. "Free gift wrap + card" is another zero-cost option.

Offer 3: Impulse Add-Ons at Pickup

"Picking up an order? Add any of these [impulse items] at checkout for $5 each"

Why it works: 30-40% of BOPIS customers make additional purchases at pickup. Strategic impulse displays near pickup counter (gift bags, cards, stocking stuffers, batteries) drive incremental revenue.

BOPIS Messaging Best Practices

Subject line: "Order online now, pick up in 2 hours (skip the lines)"

Value proposition:

• "Shipping too late? Pick it up today."
• "Order on your phone, pick up in hours—guaranteed in time for Christmas"
• "Skip the crowds—order online, we'll have it ready"
• "Same-day pickup available on 1,000+ items"

Urgency:

• "Order by [time] for same-day pickup"
• "Last day for pickup before Christmas"
• "After today, it's too late"

Gift Card Strategy (Online-Only Retailers)

If you don't have physical stores, Super Saturday is about gift cards—digital delivery that solves the "shipping is too late" problem.

Why Gift Cards Work for Super Saturday

By December 20, shipping is no longer reliable. But digital gift cards deliver instantly, making them the perfect last-minute gift solution for online-only retailers.

Customer psychology: "I need a gift TODAY" + "Shipping won't arrive in time" = gift card becomes the viable solution rather than a disappointing fallback.

Gift Card Offer Structures

Structure 1: Bonus Value (Best for Customer Acquisition)

"Buy $50 gift card, recipient gets $55 (10% bonus)"

Why it works:

• Creates perceived generosity for gift-giver
• Bonus value incentivizes future purchase from recipient
• Cost to you: $5 in future revenue (recipient spends $55, you gave $5 discount)
• Benefit: Acquiring new customer (recipient) + immediate $50 revenue

Structure 2: Incentivize Giver

"Buy $50+ in gift cards, get $10 off your next purchase"

Why it works:

• Rewards gift-giver with future discount
• Brings giver back for additional purchase
• Doesn't inflate gift card value (recipient gets stated amount)

Structure 3: Tiered Incentives

• Buy $50: Standard digital card
• Buy $100: Digital card + printable gift box template
• Buy $150: Digital card + physical card mailed after Christmas

Why it works: Drives higher spend while addressing "digital feels impersonal" concern with premium options.

Gift Card Delivery Options

Instant Email Delivery (Primary)

• Send gift card code to buyer's email within 5 minutes of purchase
• Include printable PDF with attractive design (buyer can print and present in card/envelope)
• Provide "forward to recipient" option with customizable message

Scheduled Delivery (Premium)

• "Send gift card directly to recipient on Christmas morning (Dec 25 at 8 AM)"
• Reduces "I forgot to print it" anxiety for last-minute buyers
• Include buyer in CC so they have confirmation

SMS Delivery (Fastest)

• Send gift card code via text message
• Best for ultra-last-minute (Christmas Eve) purchases
• Requires recipient phone number (privacy consideration)

Gift Card Messaging for Super Saturday

Problem → Solution framing:

"Shipping's too late. Don't panic—instant gift cards deliver in 5 minutes."

Subject lines:

• "Shipping won't arrive? Send a gift card in 5 minutes ⚡"
• "Last-minute gift solution (delivers instantly)"
• "Need a gift TODAY? Instant digital delivery"
• "Too late to ship—not too late for this"

Body copy structure:

Don't Panic: Instant Gift Solution

Shipping closed days ago. Stores are packed. You're running out of time.

Here's your solution: Digital gift cards delivered in 5 minutes.

• ✓ Instant email delivery
• ✓ Printable gift design (present in card/envelope)
• ✓ Or schedule delivery Christmas morning
• ✓ Recipient chooses exactly what they want

Order now, print in minutes, wrap it up—you're done. Crisis averted.

[BUY GIFT CARDS NOW]

Gift Card Operations Checklist

• ☐ Test gift card purchase and delivery flow (ensure 5-minute delivery promise is accurate)
• ☐ Create attractive printable PDF template (customers will print and present in cards)
• ☐ Set up automated delivery system (no manual processing on high-volume days)
• ☐ Have customer service staffed for "I didn't receive my gift card" inquiries (usually email delivery issues—have instant resend process)
• ☐ Monitor fraud—gift card purchases spike with stolen credit cards; use AVS and CVV verification
• ☐ Promote gift cards prominently on homepage December 18-24

Messaging Frameworks for Final-Week Shopping

December 20-24 messaging requires different psychology than early-December promotions.

Shift from Discount to Urgency

Early December messaging (Dec 1-15): "20% off + free shipping"—value-driven

Late December messaging (Dec 20-24): "Last chance—pick it up today"—urgency-driven

By Super Saturday, shoppers aren't hunting deals. They're solving problems (forgotten gifts, incomplete lists, last-minute needs). Your messaging should address problem-solving, not discounting.

Core Message Pillars for Super Saturday

Pillar 1: Availability (Primary)

• "In stock and ready for pickup today"
• "1,000+ items available for same-day pickup"
• "Order now, pick up in 2 hours"
• "We have what you need—today"

Pillar 2: Convenience (Secondary)

• "Skip the lines—order online, pick up curbside"
• "Order from your couch, pick up this afternoon"
• "No shipping anxiety—walk out with it today"

Pillar 3: Finality (Tertiary)

• "Last day for pickup before Christmas"
• "After today, it's too late"
• "Final chance—5 days until Christmas"

What NOT to Say

Don't: "Amazing deals for last-minute shoppers!"—calling them "last-minute" feels judgmental

Do: "Still shopping? We've got you covered."—supportive, not judgmental

Don't: "Oops, forgot someone?"—condescending

Do: "Need one more gift? Pick it up today."—helpful problem-solving

Don't: "Procrastinators' Paradise!"—funny but alienating

Do: "Final-week solutions—in stock, ready today"—empowering

Email & SMS Campaign Templates

Email Campaign: Saturday Morning (Dec 20, 8-9 AM)

For retailers with stores (BOPIS focus):

Subject: Order now, pick up today (shipping's closed—but we're open)

Preheader: Same-day pickup available on 1,000+ items—order by noon

Body:

Last Day for Pickup Before Christmas

Shipping's closed. The calendar's running out. But you still have time.

Order online now, pick up today:

• ✓ Order by noon, ready in 2 hours
• ✓ 1,000+ items available for same-day pickup
• ✓ Curbside available (text when you arrive)
• ✓ 15% off online orders picked up today

[SHOP FOR PICKUP]

How It Works:

1. Order online (or call [phone])
2. We'll text when it's ready (usually 2 hours)
3. Pick it up curbside or at our pickup counter
4. You're done—gift in hand, crisis averted

Still Need Ideas? Top Last-Minute Gifts In Stock:

• [Product 1 - Ready for Pickup]
• [Product 2 - Ready for Pickup]
• [Product 3 - Ready for Pickup]

Store Hours Today: [8 AM - 9 PM]
Location: [Address with Map Link]

[SHOP NOW]

After today, we're into final-days territory. Don't wait.

For online-only retailers (Gift card focus):

Subject: Too late to ship—not too late for this (instant delivery)

Preheader: Digital gift cards deliver in 5 minutes—print or send via email

Body:

Shipping's Closed. Here's Your Solution.

Standard shipping ended days ago. Expedited's questionable at best. You need a gift that arrives TODAY.

Digital gift cards—delivered in 5 minutes:

• ✓ Instant email delivery
• ✓ Beautiful printable design (wrap it up in a card)
• ✓ Or schedule delivery Christmas morning
• ✓ Recipient shops our entire catalog

[BUY GIFT CARDS NOW]

Today's Special: Buy $50, Recipient Gets $55

We'll add 10% bonus value to every gift card purchased today. Your $50 becomes their $55—makes you look generous while giving them more shopping power.

Denominations Available: $25, $50, $75, $100, $150, Custom

Order now. Email arrives in 5 minutes. Print it out. Put it in a card. You're done.

[SHOP GIFT CARDS]

Don't show up empty-handed. This solves it.

SMS Campaign: Saturday Afternoon (Dec 20, 2-3 PM)

BOPIS message:
"Final hours for same-day pickup! Order by 6 PM, pick up tonight. 15% off: [link]"

Gift card message:
"Shipping's over. Gift cards deliver in 5 min—buy $50, they get $55 today only: [link]"

Super Saturday Execution Checklist

Friday (December 19) Prep

• ☐ Conduct inventory counts and update online availability
• ☐ Confirm all staff scheduled for Saturday (make reminder calls)
• ☐ Set up dedicated BOPIS pickup area with signage
• ☐ Designate curbside pickup parking spaces (cones, signs)
• ☐ Test BOPIS order flow end-to-end (place test order, fulfill, pickup)
• ☐ Brief staff on Saturday operations and BOPIS procedures
• ☐ Stock impulse items near pickup counter (gift bags, batteries, cards)
• ☐ Schedule Saturday morning email (8-9 AM send)
• ☐ Update homepage with "Order Today, Pick Up Today" banners

Saturday Morning (December 20)

• ☐ Staff arrives 1 hour before opening for briefing
• ☐ Clear overnight BOPIS order backlog before store opens
• ☐ Verify all systems operational (POS, inventory, notifications)
• ☐ Send morning email (8-9 AM)
• ☐ Post external signage: "Same-Day Pickup Available"
• ☐ Test curbside communication process

Saturday Peak (Noon - 6 PM)

• ☐ BOPIS team processes orders within 2-hour window
• ☐ Send SMS campaign (2-3 PM)
• ☐ Monitor order queue—pause if backlog exceeds capacity
• ☐ Process curbside pickups every 10-15 minutes
• ☐ Proactively communicate delays to customers
• ☐ Track "additional items purchased at pickup" to measure success

Saturday Evening (6 PM - Close)

• ☐ Stop accepting BOPIS orders 2-3 hours before close
• ☐ Contact customers who haven't picked up orders
• ☐ Clear all remaining pickup orders
• ☐ Brief staff on Sunday operations (often busy)
• ☐ Prepare for Monday—final week continues

What Happens December 21-24?

Super Saturday isn't the end—December 21-24 continue with pure desperation shopping.

Sunday, December 21

Behavior: Super Saturday momentum extends into Sunday for retailers with Sunday hours.

Strategy: Continue BOPIS emphasis. Messaging: "4 days until Christmas—order today, pick up today"

Monday-Tuesday, December 22-23

Behavior: Final weekday shopping. Traffic lighter than weekend but desperation higher.

Strategy:

• In-store focus (shipping fully dead except overnight to select ZIP codes)
• Gift cards dominate for online-only retailers
• Extended store hours (open early, close late)
• Messaging: "2 days left" → "1 day left"

Christmas Eve, December 24

Behavior: Pure panic. Price insensitivity at peak. Buy whatever's available.

Strategy:

• Gift cards only for online (instant SMS delivery preferred)
• In-store: Stay open as late as legally required, sell whatever remains
• Messaging: "Final hours before Christmas"
• Zero discounting needed—desperation drives full-price purchases

Post-Christmas (December 26+): Pivot immediately to returns processing and clearance sales. See our post-holiday returns and clearance guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Super Saturday 2025?

Super Saturday 2025 is Saturday, December 20—the last Saturday before Christmas. Super Saturday is always the final Saturday before December 25, meaning its date shifts annually based on when Christmas falls in the week. In years when Christmas is Thursday (like 2025), Super Saturday is December 20. This date is critical because it represents the last day when same-day store pickup is viable at scale before the final-days panic of December 21-24.

Is Super Saturday as big as Black Friday?

Super Saturday generates comparable in-store traffic to Black Friday, but shopper psychology differs dramatically. Black Friday shoppers are deal-hunting and price-sensitive; Super Saturday shoppers are urgency-driven and less price-sensitive. According to retail industry tracking, Super Saturday often matches Black Friday for total in-store transactions despite requiring less aggressive discounting (15-20% vs. 30-40%). For retailers with stores, both days are mandatory high-execution events, but Super Saturday is more profitable per transaction due to reduced discounting requirements.

What is BOPIS and why does it matter for Super Saturday?

BOPIS (Buy Online, Pick Up In Store) lets customers order online and pick up purchases in-store the same day, usually within 2-4 hours. For Super Saturday, BOPIS is critical because standard shipping has closed and customers need immediate possession. BOPIS captures online shoppers who no longer trust shipping but want to avoid crowded store browsing. 30-40% of BOPIS pickups result in additional in-store purchases, making it a revenue multiplier beyond just the original online order.

How quickly should BOPIS orders be ready?

Target 2-4 hours during Super Saturday weekend. Promising same-hour fulfillment creates operational stress and frequent delays. 2-4 hours is achievable with proper staffing while feeling fast enough to customers. Always communicate pickup time clearly at checkout: "Order by noon, ready by 2 PM" is better than vague "ready today" promises. If volume exceeds capacity, pause BOPIS ordering temporarily rather than accepting orders you can't fulfill on time—delayed pickups destroy customer trust and generate service nightmares.

Should I discount on Super Saturday?

Yes, but not as deeply as Black Friday. Run 15-20% discounts on Super Saturday—enough to create promotional excitement but not margin-destroying. By December 20, urgency drives conversions more effectively than deep discounts because shipping is no longer viable. Shoppers need immediate possession, making BOPIS availability more valuable than 30% off + wait-and-hope shipping. Focus promotional energy on "same-day pickup" convenience rather than "deepest discounts of the year" messaging.

What if I'm an online-only retailer without stores?

Focus on gift cards—digital delivery solves the "shipping is too late" problem. Promote instant email delivery with printable gift designs customers can present in cards or envelopes. Consider bonus value offers: "Buy $50 gift card, recipient gets $55" to incentivize purchases. Gift cards generate immediate revenue while acquiring new customers (recipients) who'll shop your site in January. After December 20, gift cards should dominate your homepage through December 24 as physical product shipping becomes impossible.

Do I need dedicated BOPIS staff?

Yes, absolutely. Assign 2-4 employees exclusively to BOPIS fulfillment on Super Saturday—their only job is processing online orders for pickup. If BOPIS staff are also helping in-store customers or running registers, fulfillment times stretch from 2 hours to 4-6 hours, creating customer frustration and negative reviews. Dedicated staff ensures consistent 2-4 hour fulfillment that makes BOPIS viable. Think of BOPIS team as your "backroom fulfillment center" that never touches the sales floor during peak hours.

Should I offer curbside pickup?

Yes, if operationally feasible. Curbside pickup removes the final friction point—customers don't need to park, go inside crowded stores, wait in pickup lines. "Text when you arrive, we'll bring it to your car" converts fence-sitters who want BOPIS convenience but dread store entry during peak traffic. Designate 2-3 parking spaces as curbside pickup (visible signage), assign one staff member to monitor texts and deliver orders every 10-15 minutes. Curbside adds minimal operational complexity while significantly improving customer experience.

What happens to BOPIS orders customers don't pick up?

Contact customers proactively via text/email: "Your order is ready—we're open until [time] today, and Sunday/Monday if you can't make it today." Most customers pick up within 24-48 hours if given gentle reminders. For orders still unclaimed after 3-5 days, follow your store policy (typically: hold 7 days, then process refund and return items to inventory). Never simply cancel unpicked orders without attempting contact—it creates customer service issues and potential chargebacks.

Can I still ship orders December 20-24?

Technically yes, but don't promise Christmas delivery. USPS Priority Mail Express is the only service with December 20-22 cutoffs for Christmas delivery, and it's expensive ($30-50+) and unreliable for rural addresses. If customers are willing to pay for expedited shipping with no guarantees, allow it—but communicate clearly: "Expedited shipping available but Christmas delivery not guaranteed after December 18." Most customers will choose BOPIS or gift cards instead. See our complete shipping deadlines guide.

How do I handle inventory that sells both in-store and online?

This is the hardest BOPIS challenge. Solutions: (1) Reserve inventory for BOPIS once ordered (prevent in-store sale of items committed to online orders), (2) Set conservative "available for pickup" quantities (if you have 10 units, show 6 online to buffer for in-store sales), (3) Update inventory hourly based on in-store sales, (4) Have backup communication plan for "sold out after your order was placed"—call customer immediately, offer alternatives, apologize and provide discount on substitute item.

Should I extend store hours on Super Saturday?

Yes, if staffing allows. Open early (7-8 AM instead of 9-10 AM) and stay open late (9-10 PM instead of 7-8 PM). Extended hours capture early-bird shoppers and post-work crowds who can't shop during standard hours. Communicate extended hours prominently: "Open 7 AM - 10 PM Saturday for your convenience." However, extended hours require sufficient staffing—understaffed extended hours create poor customer experience. Only extend if you can maintain service quality throughout all hours.

What should I do December 21-24 after Super Saturday?

Continue BOPIS emphasis Sunday-Tuesday, shift to gift cards only by Wednesday (Christmas Eve). Messaging evolves from "last chance pickup" to "final hours" to "instant gift cards save Christmas." December 24 is pure panic shopping—gift cards dominate for online retailers, in-store sells whatever inventory remains at full price (desperation eliminates price sensitivity). Post-Christmas (Dec 26+), immediately pivot to returns processing and clearance sales. See our post-holiday strategy guide.

Your Super Saturday 2025 Action Plan

Super Saturday—December 20, 2025—is the last major shopping day where same-day store pickup is viable at scale. After Saturday, December 21-24 become pure desperation days with diminishing inventory and increasing panic.

Final Implementation Summary

For retailers with stores (BOPIS strategy):

• Conduct inventory counts December 15-17 and update online availability
• Assign dedicated BOPIS fulfillment team (2-4 employees)
• Set up separate pickup area and curbside parking spaces
• Target 2-4 hour fulfillment windows (communicate clearly)
• Offer 15-20% discount on same-day pickup orders
• Stock impulse items near pickup counter for add-on sales
• Extend store hours (open early, close late)

For online-only retailers (gift card strategy):

• Promote digital gift cards with instant (5-minute) email delivery
• Create printable gift card designs customers can wrap
• Offer bonus value: "Buy $50, recipient gets $55"
• Emphasize scheduled delivery option (Christmas morning at 8 AM)
• Feature gift cards prominently on homepage December 18-24

Your execution timeline:

1. December 15-19: Prep inventory, staffing, systems, messaging
2. December 20: Execute Super Saturday with maximum operational precision
3. December 21-24: Continue BOPIS/gift cards with increasing urgency
4. December 26+: Pivot to returns and clearance

Super Saturday is your final opportunity to capture substantial revenue before the chaotic final four days. Retailers with stores have BOPIS advantage; online-only retailers have gift card solution. Execute well, and Super Saturday becomes one of your most profitable days despite coming at the end of Q4.

Continue your final-week strategy:

• Complete Q4 Holiday Marketing Calendar 2025
• Holiday Shipping Deadlines 2025 (USPS/UPS/FedEx)
• Green Monday 2025 (Dec 8): Last Chance Standard Shipping
• Free Shipping Day 2025 (Dec 13-14): Profit-Safe Tactics
• Post-Holiday Returns & Clearance Strategy
• Best Days to Run Holiday Sales in Q4