More and more people are shopping online. In fact, 85% of consumers prefer to shop in stores. Still, online convenience has reduced foot traffic.
If people prefer brick and mortar stores, how do you convince them to visit? Newspaper ads, long store hours, and a good location don’t guarantee sales anymore.
If you want potential customers in your store you need new marketing methods. But how do you know which ideas boost business?
No worries. Here are 6 retail marketing strategies that will drive traffic and sales.
Keep reading to gain new customers both online and in person.
1. Help customers get smarter
The most effective way to sell your product or service is to show customers how it improves their lives. Help people get smarter about how they use your product.
Fuel their passion, help them perform better at work or take excellent care of a pet.
Give your customers a way to learn more about topics related to their purchase. Be a resource. Offer product training and demonstrations.
Hold in-store demonstrations. Print brochures and make instructional videos.
2. Create a reason to visit
The best thing a retailer can do to market a storefront is to give customers a reason to be there. Here are a few ideas:
- Online Coupons Only Valid at the Physical Store
- Exclusive Events with Limited Merchandise
- Demonstration of New Products and Services
- Invite New Customers to an Instructional Class
- Create a Resource Library
- Invite Customers to Meet at the Store for an Offsite Activity
Motivate customers to buy while they’re in your store. Limited edition items and sale deadlines convey a sense of urgency. Let them know the same products won’t be available later.
3. Sell the experience
Make your business different based on customer experience. Every coffeehouse sells coffee. Yet, they all take a different approach.
Focus on how you sell your products and services. What makes your store different and appealing?
Let customers know about your unique atmosphere, special brews, sustainability, or decor.
4. Connect online and offline
Most people research products online before they visit a store. When retailers plan digital marketing consider in-person sales along with online buys.
Put real-time in-store inventory information on your website. Include a map of the store location and floor plan. Use local SEO so people searching for your products while in your area can find your store.
Give online researchers product information, customer reviews, and a reason to buy in-store. The online coupon useable at the storefront is a good reason to visit in person.
5. Celebrate shopper entertainment
If you want people in your retail setting hold events every month. When you find an activity people enjoy, make it a regular part of the schedule.
An event encourages people to buy. It can be anything from a cooking demonstration to a fashion show.
A smaller event could be a special display with free samples. Giving a free pair of socks with every sale is shopper entertainment.
6. Tell a visual story
You have a store with windows and square footage. Use your retail space to tell a visual story.
Attract traffic with appealing colors and merchandise in an entertaining window display. Use humor, passion, curiosity, and inspiration to encourage customers to enter.
Make sure your visual story matches your brand story. Use the theme throughout the store.
Use brochure templates to create several printed pieces for customers to take home. Pay attention to small details for a big payoff.
Conclusion
The bottom line is consumers shop across platforms. They research prices on their phones and put merchandise in online shopping carts. Then, they visit a physical store to buy the item in person.
Make sure you motivate customers with the retail marketing strategies outlined here. E-commerce is growing. But, retail stores remain an important part of the consumer experience. Visit Retail Insider to stay up-to-date on the latest Canadian retail news.
