A driving force: Increasing footfall to your retail environment

E-commerce is always evolving and expanding, and an increasing number of consumers are choosing to buy goods through their devices, and have them delivered. The growing success of online retail is making the running of a physical store more challenging for its owners. However, there are still plenty of customers who enjoy a trip to the shops to look and feel items and to purchase them in-store, in a retail environment.

By ensuring that you’re proactive and implementing some of the following steps to the best of your store’s ability; you’ll have a queue of loyal patrons waiting to get in before you know it.

Staff happiness

Ensuring that all sales assistants and staff are motivated and happy each day, will keep them smiling and moving around the store to complete tasks. If a potential customer looks through the window; they are more likely to be inclined to enter if there seems to be a cheery and bustling atmosphere. However, if the staff look unhappy, still, and bored; there will be a gloomy and awkward portrayal of your shop’s ambiance, which nobody will want to walk into. You’ll need to ensure that you equip your team with all they need to have a straightforward and productive day on the sales floor. Everything from merchant credit card processing to the temperature of their surroundings should be in place so that there’s always a smile on their faces, and friendly service is instant.

Offer staff friends and family a store discount; ensure that they have a thorough look around at all your merchandise, and encourage people to touch and pick up items. The constant movement within your shop will make it seem even more tempting to passers-by, and they’ll often pop in just to see what everyone else is looking at. If you have paperwork and admin to do; set up a suitable and neat space within your store to complete it in. Behind the cash register or a counter is an excellent place to sit and finish any tasks, so that you can offer your help as soon as somebody walks inside.

Brand ambassadors

Aside from your current consumers, and automatic brand ambassadors, find out if there are any social influencers that live nearby, and that would be happy to show their visit to your store to their social media following. For a fee or the offer of some free goods, many online influencers, such as YouTubers and popular Instagrammers, will happily photograph their time in your store and promote what you sell. It’s always worth approaching people with an offer, as you never know who will become a fan of your store and a loyal brand ambassador. You could also use your own social media following to drive traffic as well.

Start a hashtag on Instagram or Twitter that relates to purchasing a particular item; the customer can photograph themselves in store with the item and be in the chance of winning a cash prize or product at the end of the month. You’ll be able to entice the friends and family of those who have shared an image using your hashtag, this will again, drive more foot traffic your way so that they can do the same, and boost your in-store sales.