The world of retail is complex and ever-evolving. Consumers today have different needs and expectations than those of ten years ago. Online shopping is growing and developing all of the time, and the high streets look a lot different than they did just a few years ago. Huge, well-known brands have closed their doors because they failed to keep up with the times, and there’s more competition from small, independent stores than there has ever been before. Some retailers are struggling in the modern world, while others are thriving. 

It’s probably safe to assume that you’d like your store, whether it is online or in the real world, to thrive. You certainly won’t have opened your business, hoping that it would fail. 

To be successful, you need to move with the times. You must continuously be looking for ways to increase sales and traffic, improve products and quality, and boost customer service. You can never rest, or grow complacent, even when things are going well. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that your retail business can increase sales in 2020. 

Give Your Storefront Some TLC

If you’ve got a brick and mortar store, it’s frontage is crucial to your success. The front of your store should be inviting. It should clearly show what you are selling and entice people in. It should be clean and tidy and make a great first impression. 

If your storefront isn’t something that you’ve given much thought to, now is the time to give it some TLC. Spend some time cleaning up, making sure the windows are clean, and your shop has excellent curb appeal. Add plastic letters to your signage, to make your store logo or name pop, and think carefully about any window decals and displays. These displays should highlight offers and key products, and they should be updated seasonally, when offers change, or when any new, key pieces come into stock. 

If your store is based online, your homepage is a little like your storefront. It’s what invites people in, gets people interested, and makes a first impression. Your homepage should also highlight key products or offers, as well as letting viewers know what your business is about. It should offer valuable information without being overwhelming. Be clear and concise and use your branding. 

Launch an App

Nowadays, even small local businesses with a relatively small target audience have an app. They use apps to offer consumers an easier way to shop, or to view products, as well as extra content and information.

Apps can give you an effective way to keep in touch and build relationships and can be a useful way to increase sales and grow your business. 

You can also use an app to offer AR technology and visual search options. Businesses are able to use AR software on their apps, to let consumers try a product before they buy. A company selling glasses can allow a customer to take a photo of themselves, and try different frames on their face, without ever entering the store. A homeware retailer could enable their customers to use their phones to see how new pieces would look inside their homes using their phones camera and AR. This can be an effective way to increase sales. 

Visual searches are also becoming more popular and widely used and might be something that you could offer on your store’s app. Let customers take a photo of a product that they like, and use it to search for similar products on your app. This is a great way to highlight your stock offerings. 

Work with an app developer to create an app that gives your customers what they need. But, remember that app technology is developing all of the time and that if you want to keep your customers happy, you’ll need to make regular updates. 

Bring Customers in

If you’ve got a brick and mortar store, you’ll need to bring more customers in, if you want to increase sales. Your storefront will be a big help here, but there is more that you can do. 

The start of a new year is the perfect time to take a look at your marketing campaigns. Ask yourself what worked last year and what didn’t. Are you reaching your target audience effectively? Or wasting time trying to attract people who simply aren’t interested? You should also look at campaigns that your competition has run, as well as other successful campaigns from the last 12 months. 

Getting out into the community is another great way to boost footfall to your store. One great way to do this is with pop-up stores. Renting spaces in public areas, retail outlets, markets, and taking on empty units for a small lease is a great way to test new products, highlight specific parts of your range and appeal to a new market. It will increase sales, and also gives you a way to experiment with new lines and the idea of opening a new store, without having to commit. 

Another option is becoming involved in your local community. Take part in charity events, with sponsorship and help with organization. Attending networking events and meetings, and come up with ways to work with other local businesses, to share your audience as well as saving money on campaigns. 

Offer More Customization

Customers are starting to get used to having options. They like ordering products specifically tailored to their needs. They even like getting to pick colors. Offer your customers more in terms of personalization, and they’ll keep coming back. 

Faster Delivery

More stores than ever are offering super fast delivery. Some businesses are able to provide same day, with an hour window, and even very small companies can offer next day delivery.

Look at your options, and what you could do to improve. But, try to avoid making promises that your business won’t be able to keep. It’s better to be realistic than to disappoint. 

Go Green

As a society, we are becoming much more aware of our responsibility to the planet, and we’re expecting the businesses that we love to be doing the same. Look at ways that your company could become more environmentally friendly in 2020, and let your customers know about your plans. 

© New To HR