A retail store establishes your brand locally and legitimizes you in the eyes of the community. That said, you need a brick-and-mortar to guarantee your looks and sales. A retailer has to earn it. Many do so through good marketing strategies for retail stores. The right marketing can nurture connections, build relationships, and ultimately cultivate sales and customer loyalty.
Here is where many suggest a store should start with its marketing strategies and campaign.
Launch a Website
Even though you sell in retail, having a website lets you get found online. A mobile-friendly, intuitive design puts your website front and center on search engines, netting you a wider online audience.
Set Up Google Business Profile
Formerly, Google My Business set up your Google Business Profile in full. Ensure your business information is accurate and up-to-date. This allows more customers to find you, leave reviews, and elevate your brand online through word-of-mouth marketing.
Segment Your Audience
Segment your audience as best you can and deliver tailored campaigns to them. This is particularly effective through email and direct mail, where you speak directly to the customer.
Know Your Unique Selling Proposition
Your USP, or unique selling proposition, differentiates you from your competition. It makes your business special and should be central to your marketing.
High-Quality Visuals
Whether you’re using images for digital signage software in-store or elsewhere in your marketing, always use high-quality visuals. Low-quality images need to be put in retail marketing.
Create a Memorable Logo
With a strong logo, graphics, and images, you can leave a lasting memory in your customers’ minds. A memorable logo should include your brand colours, a select font, and clear messaging that is consistent throughout all of your marketing.
Launch a Loyalty Program
A loyalty program rewards customers who return for repeat purchases. In return, offer them exclusive perks, gifts, promotional discounts, or early access to sales.
Free Samples for New Products
Offer free samples for new or seasonal products. This can encourage customers to buy products they may not normally seek out.
Invest in Digital Signage
Digital signage solutions allow you to feature eye-catching images in-store, promote offers, and support marketing campaigns. You may also integrate interactive features in your signage to engage customers at a new level.
Learn to Upsell and Cross-Sell
Educate you and your staff on how to upsell and cross-sell on complementary products and higher-value items. This can increase your average sale with a customer who is already buying.
Collaborate with Local Influencers
Influencer marketing showcases your products to an influencer’s audience, offering instant exposure. Influencer-generated content surrounding your store can also be featured in digital signage and marketing.
Advertise In-Store Events
An in-store event marketed properly can draw people in. It could be a product launch, a concert, a talk, a meet-and-greet, a workshop, or a how-to demonstration. It can be relevant to your products and services if it attracts the right audience.
Leverage Key Social Platforms
Leverage your social media platforms, from Instagram to Facebook, TikTok, and others. Post regularly. Be active. Direct purchases from social media, using discounts and enticing offers to educate customers and bring them into your store.
Local-Only Digital Marketing
Targeting an audience outside of your local service area makes no sense. Go local-only with your digital marketing, running targeted ads on social media and using location-specific keywords.
Run Seasonal Discounts and Promotions
Create discounts and offers tailored to holidays, seasons, and special occasions. Festive themes in your marketing materials play on what’s current and will hopefully encourage loyal customers to return.
Offer Click-and-Collect Services
Let customers order products online and pick them up in-store. This can attract a lot of interest, including busy shoppers and shoppers who would rather spend the day at home. With click-and-collect services, ensure the pickup is seamless.
Encourage Customers to Leave Reviews
In effect, reviews are word-of-mouth marketing for digital platforms. Actively encourage customers to leave positive reviews and respond professionally, even with negative reviews. This is an underrated form of marketing.
Partner with Local Businesses
Cultivate relationships with other local businesses and cross-promote. Co-host events or offer complementary sales to increase mutual visibility. There may be ways to combine products or services to super-serve your customers.
Referral Programs and Codes
Offer incentives to your existing customer base to attract new customers. The most common incentive is a discount or gift in exchange for a new customer’s purchase.
Set Up Email Marketing
Email is a direct line. Send personalized emails with product recommendations to customers who have provided their addresses. Share exclusive upcoming sales, promotions, events, and news. Optimized email marketing with the right presentation can dramatically improve click-through rates.
