The main goal of any retail store is to get customers
to walk through your front door! Here are some tips to drive foot traffic to a
bricks-and-mortar store.
1. Have a grand opening or re-grand opening.
Make this day as big a deal as possible.
Provide food, offer door prizes, and serve up other enticements and
entertainment to make the day memorable. And, while you're doing it, keep tabs
on who shows up by having them register to win a prize by providing their name
and email address.
2. Plan on holding other promotional events.
Any
promotional event that draws attention can be effective. Look into an in-store
raffle or giveaway, and advertise the event on social media (free) and as
widely as your budget will allow. Connect with a local celebrity — say, an
author or sports figure — having him or her on the premises can bring in
clientele. But, no matter what you do, make it exciting and appealing to the
public.
3. Make your business newsworthy.
By being newsworthy it attracts
business beyond a 24-hour window. For example,
try donating a portion of the day's take to charity can win a flattering article
in your local newspaper. Or investigate whether a local radio station would be
willing to broadcast live on the day of your promotional event. The key is to
grab the attention of customers who can't make it in at that particular time.
That drives foot traffic in the future. This makes it all the more likely the customer
will read or hear about it and come check it out."
4. Have a sale.
Nothing beats the lure of something
that's less expensive for a limited amount of time. Do an e-mail blast campaign
to existing and to boost foot traffic, urge them to bring a friend to receive
something free or additional discounts. Have a group or individual check-in
deal on Facebook for the event.
5. Host a seminar or workshop.
Boosting foot traffic
doesn't even have to involve a direct effort to sell a product or service.
These days, education is every bit as important and value-added, as consumers
want to know how to get the most out of what they buy.
6. Use Social Media! Social Media is free and a great way to STAY connected
with your customers and gain new customers. Facebook, Twitter and Google+ are
great ways to drive foot traffic to the retail location.
7. Promote a mall walking program. Convincing your complex owner to host a mall walker
program can provide free publicity and exposure for the store and can literally
increase foot traffic near your store. Mall
walker programs are an excellent way to market your store and have a positive
impact. Centers often encourage mall walker programs by helping to organize
clubs, offering discounts, and providing health checkups onsite.
8. Follow up with your contacts.Keep encouraging foot traffic by staying in touch with
customers by different ways, such as social media or e-mail blast. Let them
know about events and encourage them to share the news with friends on social media.
For
great tips and retail locations available for lease follow us on Facebook or
Twitter.
Sharp Realty
400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300 Birmingham,
Al 35209
205-879-1995
