Business
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is a Seasonal Business?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A seasonal business is a business which is either only open during certain times of the year, or largely dependent on income earned during certain times of the year. Both types of business require some unique management skills, as business owners cannot count on a steady cash flow throughout the year. There are a number of different kinds of seasonal business, and a range of management approaches to such businesses.

In the sense of a business which is only open seasonally, seasonal businesses are often tied to events or holidays. For example, a ski and snowboarding instruction school might only be open during the winter months, because snow is required. Conversely, a resort, campground, or group of vacation cabins might only be open during the summer months, when people want to visit the area. Other examples of this type of seasonal business can include a mail order catalog which is only open during the winter holidays, a boat rental service which is only open during the summer, or a lawncare service which only runs during the spring and summer.

Pick-your-own fruit orchards are often only open to customers during those seasons when fruit is ripe.
Pick-your-own fruit orchards are often only open to customers during those seasons when fruit is ripe.

With this type of seasonal business, the goal is usually to close the books at the end of the season, not carrying any debt over into the next year. A few staffers may be kept on during the closed season to do basic maintenance and handle the handful of customer inquiries which come in; for example, a campground may hire a winter caretaker to live on site and keep an eye on things. Often, the business owner acts as the caretaker for the business, so that he or she doesn't have to pay a staff member during the off season.

Some products, like sunglasses, sell better in the spring and summer than during winter or fall, so stores stock them accordingly.
Some products, like sunglasses, sell better in the spring and summer than during winter or fall, so stores stock them accordingly.

With the other type of seasonal business, the business is open year round, but the bulk of the money is made in seasonal bursts. Candy stores, for example, count on Valentine's Day and the winter holidays for a large part of their annual income. Specialty retailers may also rely heavily on the winter holidays for their profit. Businesses in tourist towns often operate on a similar model, making their money during the peak of tourist season and operating with limited hours during the off season.

Holiday businesses may provide people to play Santa during the Christmas season.
Holiday businesses may provide people to play Santa during the Christmas season.

In the case of a business which operates year round, running a seasonal business can be very challenging. While it may be tempting to take the income from periods of peak profits and reinvest it in the business, this is not always wise, as it may mean that the business runs out of money in the dead season, and is forced to close. Businesses have to ration their money carefully, ensuring that they have enough funds to make it through the period in which they may only see a handful of customers a day, if any.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Pick-your-own fruit orchards are often only open to customers during those seasons when fruit is ripe.
      By: JOsh moates
      Pick-your-own fruit orchards are often only open to customers during those seasons when fruit is ripe.
    • Some products, like sunglasses, sell better in the spring and summer than during winter or fall, so stores stock them accordingly.
      By: mangostock
      Some products, like sunglasses, sell better in the spring and summer than during winter or fall, so stores stock them accordingly.
    • Holiday businesses may provide people to play Santa during the Christmas season.
      By: Subbotina Anna
      Holiday businesses may provide people to play Santa during the Christmas season.
    • Ski lodges only operate during the winter months.
      By: The Photos
      Ski lodges only operate during the winter months.
    • Some florists focus on the weeks around Valentine's Day and do much less business the rest of the year.
      By: Natalia Klenova
      Some florists focus on the weeks around Valentine's Day and do much less business the rest of the year.