Holiday shopping is just around the corner and that means most business owners are bracing for waves of holiday shoppers…or at least hoping to attract them. You have already got your staff and inventory ready, but how do you get more customers coming to you and not the competition?
As if competition was not tough enough, you are also up against online retailers looking to edge in on local markets. So exactly how can you get the attention you deserve this year? Advertising is a must, but there are plenty of things you can do outside of ads that can help drive traffic and sales.
We have created a list of easy-to-implement holiday marketing tips and strategies for retail clients looking to end the year strong!
- Create a buying mood: Creating the right environment can work wonders, so get people in the holiday spirit from the moment they step into your establishment. Make sure your space is decorated to the season and play soft Christmas music in the background. You can even have your staff switch to holiday colors. Ideally, you want people to walk in and feel like Christmas is just a day or two away!
- Repeat customer deals: A one-time customer is nice; a repeat customer is amazing! You can encourage people to keep coming back by offering discounts and deals on their next visit. This can be as easy as a 15% off coupon you put in their bags when you check them out. If you have any type of loyalty program, this can also track repeat customers but may be harder to do if it is not automated.
- Run weekly specials leading up to Christmas: Everyone loves a deal, and everyone forgets something when they shop so they must head back out for last-minute items. Offering weekly specials gives people something to look forward to on repeat trips. Showcase these specials on social media, signs in your store or handouts you put in bags as people check out. If you have an email list, which you should, send specials directly to your customer’s emails.
- Bulk up your last-minute impulse item offerings: You always want to have several impulse items around the checkout area, but now is a good time to switch things up. Include some higher priced, gift-worthy options as well. Your staff can ask something like “Did you remember everyone on your list?” to gently nudge people to think about their shopping needs. Keep the price ranges reasonable, from $10 to $20 dollars or so on average, and remember to rotate these items regularly.
- Have extended holiday hours: Make it easy for people to drop by your store after work or before work by extending your holiday hours. This makes shopping with you more convenient. And since your competitors are doing it, you do not want to be closed when they are open! Occasionally there may be a strong reason to avoid this but consider it carefully before you say no to the idea. Afterall, it is only for a short time and can have a big impact on your bottom line.
- Offer and promote gift certificates: Holiday shoppers love gift certificates because they take the guesswork out of the holidays. So, if you do not offer them, now is the time to start! Offer multiple versions so people can find one that fits their budget. It helps if they are branded because they are going to people that may not know you. This gives you a sale now, and a potential new customer once it is redeemed.
Last but not least, geofence your competitors! This helps you snag your competitor’s traffic, target their potential customers, and get them into your store! And if you happen to want a little help driving traffic to your store this holiday season, including geofencing, give us a call at (417)553-9105.