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10 Tips for Retailers
in today's
challenging economy.
With the holiday season
just around the corner,
and the economy at it's
worst, now, more than
ever retailers have to
be creative in order to
drive sales and attract
more customers.
Here are some
suggestions that can
help you thrive in a
downward economy.
-
Get aggressive
with repeat business.
You know your
customers better
than anyone else,
and they know you.
Capitalize on that
by providing
incentives for your
existing customers
to encourage repeat
business.
-
Focus on your
local area, with
gas prices on the
rise, allocate your
marketing budget to
consumers who live
close to your store.
-
Offer Online
Shopping, more
hours, less money,
and gas prices are
responsible for
increased purchasing
on the internet. By
not providing an
online presence you
will not only miss
out on the online
business, you'll
most certainly loose
in-store business as
well.
-
Provide Online
Incentives, free
shipping, free
gift-wrapping and
discounts will
surely help to
generate online
sales.
-
Provide in-store
incentives such
as; free
gift-wrapping,
coupons, punch-card
incentive (like the
12 days of
Christmas) and
invite guest to
attend your store,
like Santa and his
elves.
-
Great customer
service, nothing
will drive your
business away faster
than a rude sales
clerk. Make
sure your staff is
being helpful, and
thankful toward your
customers.
-
Offer various
payment options,
now is not the time
to stop offering
American Express or
discover because
their rates are too
high. Early reports
show that consumers
are planning to use
their credit cards
more than ever this
Holiday season.
-
Listen and
collect valuable
customer
information.
What do consumers
think about your
store? Where
are they coming
from? What is their
email address?
Capturing your
clients zip codes
can help you focus
your marketing
dollars more
effectively.
Capturing their
email addresses will
allow you to
communicate your
marketing messages
through email.
-
Provide post
holiday coupons,
for example;
purchase 25 dollars
or more and save 10
dollars on any
purchases after
January 1st.
-
Position seasonal
items at the
registers,
wrapping paper,
scotch tape, gift
tags and candy
conveniently located
at or by the
register will
generate additional
purchases at the
check out counter.
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