Have a very merry business this Christmas

It’s Christmas time, hip hip horay! The last minute shopping has been done (hopefully), the cash has been counted and the Christmas holidays are about to begin.

While people are at home joining in the festivities, enjoying Christmas dinner, and having a break, let’s not forget that the show must go on for small businesses.

It’s important to make sure that all is wrapped and ready for the New Year. January is expected to bring in a flurry of business as bargain hunters flock in for the January sales. To make the most of this, ensure you’re stocked up and your stores are ready to go.

As we know the VAT is to return to 17.5% on the first of January - this doesn’t leave  much time to prepare when we return in 2010, so make sure everything is in order for the change. That includes the changing of price tags, displaying notices to inform customers and making sure that payments are settled up.   

What’s good to know is that many small businesses have made it through one of the most trying years, and they can now breathe a sigh of relief that it is almost over. To make sure all goes to plan for 2010, business owners need to prepare now so that one and all can enjoy a mince pie or two over the holidays!

And a final weather warning - there area rumours abound that we are to expect a white Christmas this year. Albeit very festive it can be a nightmare for small businesses who are trying to plough through. Bear this is in mind, be flexible and take the necessary precautions this year.  

But most importantly, have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year from all the team at Intuit UK.