If you're like most business owners, you've probably spent a lot of time thinking about how to promote your retail store. For example, if you own a clothing store, have you considered setting up a loyalty program? If you sell jewelry, have you thought about hosting in-store events?
If your business is online-only, are there ways for people to get an in-person experience when they order from your website? The truth is that consumers are always looking for unique experiences and you can use this to your advantage!
Maybe you are in the middle of a sales slump, or maybe things are going well and you want to keep up the momentum. Whatever the case may be, we recognize the importance of sales to retailers, so we have compiled a list of the best proposals and ideas for promoting your retail business and increasing foot traffic.
Loyalty program
Loyalty programs are a great way to get customers to return, which can be especially important if you have a location in an area where there's stiff competition. If you have a store that sells clothing or shoes, for example, consider offering discounts on future purchases when they make their first purchase with you at the store. Or if your business is more service-oriented (like a restaurant), consider giving them some sort of reward after so many visits—maybe it'll be something as simple as a free dessert or drink, or maybe it could be something bigger like an additional discount on larger ticket items.
A loyalty program doesn't have to cost much; all it takes is some thought about what kind of rewards will appeal most strongly to your target audience.
Online visibility
Consumers are utilizing Google to find stores and products in greater numbers than ever before. Make sure you show up anytime they conduct a relevant search for your business. If you sell lingerie, for example, you want local customers to find you when they Google "lingerie store near me." To achieve this, create business listings on Google, Yelp, Facebook, and other sites. When building your profile, include as many details as feasible. Here are a few examples: Name, address, and phone number (make sure these details match what is on your website and any other listings.)
A lot of visual content, such as recent photos and, if possible, a virtual tour of your store, should be included.
Customer Service
Because your staff is the ones who sell, you must invest in them if you want to increase sales. Ascertain that everyone on your staff wants to be there and is excited about and educated about your items. They will want their clients to share their enthusiasm if they are excited. They will be able to confidently express their interest if they are knowledgeable.
Train your personnel to make each customer's purchase a pleasant one. Most companies train their staff on how to close the register, stock shelves, and keep the floor clean. It is even more critical that they teach their staff how to identify a customer's wants and goals, match those needs to a variety of products, and demonstrate the value of their choices. Allow your salesmen to communicate with customers; don't overburden them with housekeeping jobs; instead, let them focus on your customers.
Eye-catching images
People will not purchase items that are unappealing, which is why strong in-store aesthetics are critical. Establish a focal point to assist people in deciding which objects or features to focus on. Displays that are excessively crowded or distracting will overwhelm customers.
Make them interesting or practical. Allow customers to see how your products are used. Create exhibitions that show buyers how to use your products or give them a chance to try them out. Maintain a clean and ordered atmosphere. An organized space not only looks great, but it also makes it easier for customers to find what they are looking for, which improves the shopping experience. Always put a display of your best products near the store door, regardless of price. This demonstrates your abilities while also providing a great discussion starter for your coworkers.
Public Relation
Although the terms, public relations and marketing, are not interchangeable, the end goal is often the same: to increase customer awareness of your company, products, and services. When you have a new product, sale, hire, event, charitable gift, or other significant announcements, write a short press release to send to local newspapers, TV stations, radio stations, websites, and bloggers. Writing a press release and submitting it to journalists takes only a few minutes, even if you don't always get coverage. Even a single article in your local paper can help you sell more.
Pricing plan
Make sure your prices are fair to your clients. If your prices are too high, customers will not come. If you set them too low, you won't have much of a profit margin. In retail marketing, the general guideline is to charge twice as much as you bought for something. To lure consumers and clear out older goods, you can also use promotions and promotional prices.
Packaging
Product packaging is a key part of your company's brand and can help you differentiate yourself from the competition. Using specific colors and images can build moods and inspire customer feelings that can help you increase sales. When designing packaging, keep the demographics of your likely buyer in mind. If you want to compete in a competitive market, you need to know who is most likely to buy your products. Understand your target market's pain points, preferences, and buying habits, and design your packaging to fit their requirements.
In-store events
Hosting in-store events is a great way to attract new customers. The key is to make sure you have the right venue for the event, as well as a clear purpose for it. You should also offer some kind of incentive to encourage people to come.
For example, if you're running an event that focuses on home improvement tips and tricks, consider hosting it at a local hardware store or garden center where your target audience will be likely to spend time and money. This can help develop more meaningful relationships with potential customers by showing them how much you value their time, which could lead them back into one of your stores in the future!
Give back to your community
Giving back to the community is a great way to add value to your business. The benefits of giving back are far-reaching and can help you boost your brand recognition.
- Give back to the environment
- Give back by supporting local charities
- Consider donating products or services for charity auctions, especially if you have excess inventory or overstock items that customers don't want. This helps keep these things out of landfills and may even get rid of them faster than you would have otherwise. It's a win-win situation!
- Support local events in your area by donating tickets, supplies, etc., or encourage employees to participate in them on their own time (or both!). Not only does this help bring people together for good causes—it also gives them something positive to talk about when they're at work tomorrow morning!
Consumers are always looking for unique experiences and you can use this to your advantage! As a retail business owner, one of the most important aspects of your sales strategy is generating traffic. However, it’s not enough to simply hang out a “We Buy Gold” sign and hope people will come knocking. In order to truly drive sales and grow your business, you must find ways to stand out among competitors by creating an experience that sets you apart from everyone else in town. Wish to offer a seamless experience to your customer?
With Uncut Lab you can provide this and much more. Our team of experts have developed tailor made solutions for retail businesses that allow them to improve their clientage and sales. Book a discovery call today to learn more.
