When starting a business, every business owner desires that they will have customers come in and purchase items, love their products, and constantly interact with them. How do you achieve this?
This is not always easy; you may even have seen customers approaching, only to turn back and walk away. With such stiff competition, your sales can suffer if you don’t have a master plan for improving your retail strategy.
You have gone the extra mile to ensure that you get people’s attention; the clever statement on an exterior sign, the visually stunning window display, and the beautiful branded packaging.
How now do you ensure that they leave with an item or two once they enter your store? The techniques discussed below will help you boost retail sales at your small business.
TIP 1 – Create a stimulating atmosphere.
Make your store a place where customers feel comfortable and at ease be it through decor, music, scent, or lighting. Choose a signature scent for your physical store. Use the scent on your postcards and brochures to create a subconscious connection with your customers.
TIP 2 – Tell a real-life brand narrative.
Every brand has its own story, which makes it different from the rest. Telling a brand story that distinguishes you from your competitors provides shoppers greater insight into your business. There is no better way to tell your brand story than to take advantage of custom packaging and use it to create a continuous narrative.
A great example is retracing the journey of the raw materials of your product and the community it interacts with. Are you launching a new nut snacks product that also supports advocacy? Say it with custom nut packaging and make the narrative consistent.
Custom packaging is the first marketing collateral that circles back to your business’ origin if you are selling a product. Proudly display it on your social media stories, and highlight it on your website banners, flyers, brochures, and postcards.
TIP 3 – Be easy to find on the internet.
It is critical for any business to be easily accessible to shoppers online. The information on your website should be accurate, up-to-date, and well-optimized.
You can accomplish this by using keywords on your homepage and the ‘About’ page. Also, ensure your Google My Business (GMB) page is current so that you may be seen in search results.
TIP 4 – Stock up on what sells.
Once you know the products that sell, keeping the shelves well-stocked should be a priority.
This way, a shopper will be able to choose the size and flavor or color— depending on the type of product—they want. This also gives your customer the impression that you are always reliable and can answer their needs.
TIP 5 – Understand how customers move in your store.
Understanding how customers will navigate your store is critical. This will help you arrange your store in a way that will attract customers’ attention.
If you’ve only recently started your business, keep note of how clients move through it and make changes as needed. Although the arrangement and distribution of items may seem intuitive to you, you’ll only be able to know if they’re well-organized by watching consumers walk about your store and engage with the merchandise. They won’t be able to buy what they’re looking for if they can’t find it.
TIP 6 – Encourage feedback.
Requesting feedback is a solid approach to boosting retail sales while planning for the future. Customers’ comments on your product packaging, shop design, or customer experience will give you valuable information and help you to improve your brand.
Additionally, it will make the customer feel that you appreciate their opinion and are ready to serve them to their satisfaction.
