Let’s get real for a moment: trying to come up with some fresh, fun and creative ways to get more customers ringing the bell above your retail store is a little bit like trying to come up with exciting new dinner ideas. You fall into routines, you do what’s easiest and you accept that there is only so much you can do with a smashed avocado and sourdough bread. It’s exactly the same with marketing ideas.
It just starts to feel like you’re banging your head against the wall after a while, which is because you’re almost certain you’ve looked at the issue from every angle, tried every recipe and squeezed all you can out of what you have, meaning you’re now embodying insanity as you repeat the same methods while hoping for different outcomes.
Thankfully, we have come up with some pretty clever ways to get more fashionistas walking through your doors, ready to snap up all those gorgeous tidbits you have hanging on the rails. Enjoy.
- In-Store Coupons Online
One of the simplest and most-untapped ways to see that bell ring more and more is to dangle some in-store coupons on your website for all your online visitors to see. Trust us, this works for the simple fact that 96% of customers use coupons. So, speak to your web designer and ask them to pop a pop-up box on your site that offers customers a discount code in exchange for their email address, and then send them the in-store deal as soon as they sign-up. Simple.
- Play Hostess With The Mostess
Another amazing way to have a bunch of foot traffic stampede through your gates is to coax them to your store for a cool event. It could be a book signing, unveiling a new line, a kids workshop, offering new brands a pop-up space or just doing a networking event of some kind. The point is: everyone that shows up will likely stick around to do a little spot of shopping. There are so many ways you can play the host and start collecting more customers.
- Accessibility Is Everything
The more people you can attract to your store the better, which is why you need to think about accessibility all you can. Think about whether your store is ADA compliant and thus easy for anyone with a disability to access you, or how you can make it easier for elderly customers to get around your store, or whether parents have somewhere their kids can play for a second. All it takes is a ramp, a few handles and a couple of chairs with tablets and you offer something valuable that so many others don’t.
- Chalkboards Work Wonders
Chalk art and chalkboard signs are all the rage right now because they give your store that extra pinch of personality and flair, so bust out the bucket of chalk and get a little creative. Write a witty message or draw a cool picture. It’s so simple and yet people will love you for it. Drop a hashtag to your blog or Instagram and you’ll have a double whammy too.
