In the weeks before Christmas, many shops, malls and shopping centres stay open late so customers can shop after work. Extended hours only help if people know about them, and a big, bold poster in the window is the best way to tell passers-by. This 11 x 17 inch template is designed to be seen from across a street or a shopping centre concourse. A festive red background radiates soft white sunburst rays; a teal gift and a stack of wrapped presents sit in the top corners, and OPEN LATE fills the page in giant white and gold Anton letters. Below, for holiday shopping appears in white brush script, and a white rounded card lists the extended hours by date, ending with Christmas Day, closed.
Why Promote Extended Holiday Hours
Extended hours are a competitive advantage in December. Shoppers who work during the day are grateful for evening opening, and shops that advertise late hours clearly attract customers who might otherwise shop online. A large poster turns your hours into a marketing message rather than a simple notice.
Designed to Be Seen From a Distance
The OPEN LATE headline is set at 150 points in Anton, a tall condensed typeface that remains legible at long distances. The red and gold colour scheme stands out in a shop window, and the sunburst rays draw the eye to the centre. Even people walking quickly past will understand the message.
The Extended Hours Card
The white card lists five lines: Monday to Saturday, December 7 to 19, 9 AM to 10 PM; Sundays, December 13 and 20, 10 AM to 8 PM; Monday to Wednesday, December 21 to 23, 8 AM to 11 PM; Christmas Eve, December 24, 8 AM to 5 PM; and Christmas Day, December 25, closed. Click any line to edit it. Grouping days into ranges keeps the card short.
Editing the Mall or Store Name
The sample advertises Hollybrook Shopping Center with its address. Replace the name and address with your own, and change the italic line about free parking and gift wrapping to highlight your own holiday services, such as late-night entertainment, Santa visits, or free delivery.
The Gift and Sunburst Artwork
The gifts are editable stickers that you can resize, move, or replace with other festive art. The sunburst is a group of subtle white rays radiating from behind the headline; select it to adjust the opacity or delete it. Keep the rays faint so the headline remains the star.
Printing an 11 x 17 Poster
The poster is sized at 11 x 17 inches, also known as tabloid or ledger. Most print shops and many office printers can print this size. Download a PDF and print at actual size on poster paper or card. For a larger window, print at 18 x 24 inches at a print shop; the design scales cleanly.
Where to Put Open Late Posters
Display posters in shop windows facing the street, at mall entrances, beside escalators, and in parking garages. Shopping centres often place posters at every entrance and on digital screens. For individual shops, a window poster and a smaller counter sign work well together.
Digital Versions for Screens and Social Media
Many shopping centres have digital signage screens. Download a PNG of the poster and upload it to your screen system, or adapt the canvas to a landscape screen size. Share the image on social media with a caption that repeats the extended hours.
Late Night Shopping Events
Many towns and shopping centres host late-night shopping events with music, food stalls and special offers. Use the poster to promote the event by changing the card text to list the event date, activities, and participating shops.
Open Late Poster Colours
Red and gold suit Christmas, but you can change the background to green, navy, or your brand colour. Keep OPEN in white and LATE in a bright accent colour for contrast.
Staffing Extended Hours
Extended hours require careful staffing. Plan shifts early, consider hiring seasonal staff, and make sure there are enough people for the busiest evenings, such as the final weekend before Christmas. A promise of late opening is only valuable if customers find the shop well staffed.
Extended Hours After Christmas
Some retailers extend hours again for post-Christmas sales. Duplicate the poster, change the title to SALE NOW ON, and list the extended sale hours from December 26 onwards.
Accessibility and Safety for Evening Shoppers
When opening late, make sure entrances and parking areas are well lit, and mention accessible parking and quiet shopping hours if you offer them. Evening shoppers include older people and families with children, who appreciate a safe, welcoming environment.
Measuring the Success of Late Opening
Track sales and footfall during extended hours to decide whether late opening is worthwhile. Many shops find that the last week before Christmas justifies late hours, while earlier weeks are quieter. Use what you learn to plan next year’s poster.
Open Late Poster Questions
Can I print the poster on US Letter?
Yes, with fit to page, though it is designed for 11 x 17.
Can I add more dates?
Yes. Add rows to the card or enlarge it slightly.
Can I replace the gifts with my logo?
Yes. Delete a gift and add a frame for your logo.
Extended Hours for Independent Shops
Independent shops on a high street can join forces and agree on late opening on the same evenings, making the street a destination. Print one poster per shop with the same design, change the store name on each, and share a group post on social media listing every participating shop. A coordinated late night creates a festive atmosphere and brings more shoppers to everyone.
Late Opening Posters Inside the Store
Smaller copies of the poster near fitting rooms and tills remind shoppers already inside that they can come back on a late evening with friends.
Light Up Your Holiday Shopping Hours
Update your hours, add your store details, and print the poster. A bold OPEN LATE sign brings evening shoppers through your doors and makes the most of the busiest season of the year.
