Attracting customers even for the holidays can be overwhelming especially during a pandemic. So for any business, it will be a challenge to target new customers while taking care of your regular customers. One of the smart things to do would be to think globally and act locally. What it means essentially is to team up with a local organization be it an NGO or any other place where you can help out and garner positive publicity.
In the digital era, it becomes a challenging task to compete for both online and offline businesses.
Do not worry there are simple steps that will help you to achieve your goal with ease.
Step 1
Start Planning in Advance
First come first serve should not only be your service policy but also your operational policy, as it makes a lot of sense to be prepared with your stock for a sudden influx of customers who might come in early or at the last moment to complete their shopping lists.
Make sure that you have on display the products which are in demand both online and offline depending on the customer’s requirements. Also do not forget to stock up and hold things for your regular customers who have relied on you for so many years and will continue to do so if you have what they want.
Step 2
Diversify Your Products
Are there products which you can offer to them which will meet their requirements for the holidays? It is better to promote products or items which can be combined together and can be gifted as presents for friends, family or for work colleagues. Encourage your team, ask their opinions and seek their advice are they interact with the customers on a daily basis.
Also do not be shy to recommend local products which will help you to gain goodwill in a community but also help you to expand your product base in a unique way!
Step 3
Use Different Strategy
Do not leave anything to chance like it or not you have to make sure to be prepared with pamphlets, digital flyers, sales coupons, or discount coupons whatever it takes to ensure that customers come to your store. The more options you provide the higher the chance that the customers will come to you it can be via phone, email, or an in-person visit.
As per the experts, there is an increase of 4% in sales annually especially during the holiday season as compared to last year. If you do not believe let us take a look at an example to suppose there are people who buy on an average $50 worth of products if they receive a 10% off, their order value touches $70 during the holiday season. This way you can push up order values without too offering too many discounts. This usually works for many industries and should work for you too.
Step 4
Relaxation Zone
Always create spaces where people can chat in groups and relax and refresh themselves to do shop more! If you keep in mind little things like sofas and seating places for the elderly, proper amenities for the women, and small but effective places where children can play or tools to engage themselves like small slides or coloring booths will help your customer to relax and spend a bit more time which is your chance to entice them with new products. Sometimes just having a decent coffee will help you to pull in unexpected customers who might recommend you to others.
Step 5
Events and Attraction
Try and get associated with fairs, pop-up sales, or popular eateries so that you get an idea of where people are going to assemble and display the products they want. It will help you to increase your presence both online and offline. If you offer the right product in the right place and time it can significantly improve your business. You can give them your cards or guide them or motivate them to look up your products online. Sometimes using the holiday-themed bags and freebies can bring you a lot of footfall for your business!
Do not forget to clean up your place, speak to customers politely, and most importantly be patient with them! Just by following some basics things you will be able to attract customers your way this Holiday Season!
