I hope you had a great holiday season. But as we constantly hear from the experts, that season is when many retailers grab one-third of their annual revenues. Now that you’re on a roll, how are you going to keep from rolling downhill?

First of all, take some time for yourself, the article says. Relax, take a vacation, get your mind off work for a while. Then start focusing on how to keep the sales momentum going. Get more connected to your customers than ever, those experts say, because if you’re not doing it, someone else is.

In this challenging economy, you’ve got to do more than have great store layout and great merchandise. Make sure your staff also is well-rested and ready to tackle the new year. Watch you customers’ shopping patterns. Are more customers coming in during the lunch hour than in the evening? If so, modify the work schedule so you have more staff during the busy hours.

Customer loyalty is more important than ever. Use every trick in the book to maintain it. Use invitation-only sales, email newsletters, rewards programs, coupons and community sponsorships. “How a person feels after they shop at a store is extremely important,” a retail-turnover expert says. Make it your resolution to make everyone who shops at your place feel like a special guest. Don’t go overboard, but show your appreciation every way you can. You can be sure your competition is.