Online shopping may have been taking over the retail industry. But there is something very personal with stepping inside a brick-and-mortar store. Owners of physical stores must use this advantage to attract customers. There are many ways to do this. Here are some of them:
Make Some Physical Features Stand Out
Some customers prefer an up-close visual treat or the tactile experience. Invest in some physical features in your store. Attract customers with a creative staircase design that leads to your second floor. It will not only be a passage from one floor to the next; it will also be a different experience on its own as they walk through it. A modern touch or a bizarre style will make your store stand out from others. If you have glass windows, this staircase may be an attraction in itself from the outside. Ensure that safety is not compromised over design, though.
Your facade also tells a lot about your store. Have excellent and eye-catching signage. Make sure that the walls have a fresh coat of paint. You can even plant some flowers outside for a burst of color and an appealing fragrance. Chalkboards announcing sales or special discounts are also good ideas.
Make Your Products Relevant
As a store owner, you must always make your products stand out from the competition. If they are only enclosed in shelves, your potential customers may not see their relevance. Make your customers interact with your products. You can do this by holding classes or events in your store.
If you are selling cookware, you can have a cooking class. Call on some volunteers to try the different sets you have for cooking. Makeup tutorial sessions are good platforms to sell your cosmetic products. You may even have a fitness class if you are catering to different gym needs. Potential customers will see your products not only as items; they will also become solutions to some of their predicaments.
Make Your Customers Comfortable
Do not look at your customers as only a means to close a sale. Treat them as guests in your store. Imagine a customer who has been out in the cold or exposed in the sun, depending on the season. You may opt to offer refreshments such as a hot tea or a cold beverage. When your customers feel refreshed, they will have a better disposition to shop.
Also, make sure that you have a storage area for their things. Their baggage may shorten their time inside your store if they are not tucked away properly. Be mindful of companions as well. It is wise to have seats for non-shopper companions. Kids are another group that needs a special distraction.
Make a Pleasant Shopping Experience
Your staff will help with making repeat customers. Train them to have pleasant conversations with your clients. Having them recognize someone from a previous purchase can also score points. This shows that they value patrons. But they must also be cordial with new ones. Also, train your team to balance between assisting and hounding a customer. Some people want to be alone while browsing.
Physical stores still provide a warm and unique experience. Owners must only know how to capitalize on these things to keep abreast of the changes.
