Summer is one of the most exciting seasons for farm shops: longer days, families looking for days out, holidaymakers exploring the countryside and customers craving fresh, seasonal produce. But with so much competition for attention, from garden centres to festivals to beach trips, your marketing needs to work smarter, not harder.
Here’s how to make summer marketing simple, effective and brilliantly footfall-friendly.
1. Make Your Outdoor Space Work for You
Whether you have a courtyard, picnic area, plant stand or simply a sunny entrance, use it.
Try:
- Tasting tables with seasonal samples
- Local producer pop-ups
- Ice cream or drinks carts
- Flower or plant displays
- Photo spots (“Take a sunny selfie at…”)
People are more likely to stop when your space looks lively, colourful and inviting.
2. Create Family-Friendly Micro Events
Summer isn’t about huge festivals, it’s about easy, drop-in-friendly experiences.
Ideas include:
- Meet the animals sessions
- Pick-your-own tasters
- Craft tables for kids
- Honey-spinning demos
- Barbecue tasting days
- “Meet the maker” chats
Short activities = fast decisions = more footfall.
3. Post Daily ‘Fresh Today’ Content
Summer produce sells itself, but only if customers know it’s there.
Post:
- Fresh berries
- Garden salads
- BBQ sausages
- Picnic bundles
- Summer flowers
- Ice cream flavours
The caption “Fresh today – pop in!” works every time.
4. Use Weather-Based Marketing
Summer weather is unpredictable, but that’s a marketing advantage.
Hot day?
“Ice cream tubs fully stocked!”
“Cold drinks + shaded seating available!”
Rainy day?
“Escape the showers in our cosy café!”
“Perfect day for homemade cake!”
Windy day?
“Warm pastries and hot drinks waiting for you!”
Reactive content performs exceptionally well.
5. Google Your Opening Hours (Yes, really!)
Most summer footfall comes from:
- Day trippers
- Holidaymakers
- Passing traffic
These people Google you before visiting.
Make sure:
- Hours are correct
- Photos are up to date
- Product images are fresh
- You’ve added summer menu items
- Your events are listed
Google updates = footfall increases.
6. Sell Experiences, Not Just Products
People want memories.
So promote:
- Breakfast in the sunshine
- Afternoon tea outside
- Summer trails
- BBQ boxes
- Summer workshops
- Picnic spots
Content that shows people enjoying your business performs brilliantly.
7. Make It Easy for Visitors to Spend More
Summer visitors often arrive in a “treat yourself” mindset.
Encourage it by offering:
- Picnic bundles
- BBQ packs
- Cream tea kits
- Wildflower bouquets
- “Holiday at home” hampers
- Ready-made grazing boxes
Bundles = bigger baskets.
Summer is full of opportunity!
With a little creativity and consistent visibility, your farm shop can thrive all summer long.
Make your space inviting, show what’s fresh today and promote experiences that customers can’t get anywhere else.
