Marketing Strategies to Increase Retail Sales

The pandemic changed the retail-landscape, making traditional selling methods less effective, and forcing retail business owners to get creative to increase their retail sales and foot traffic. Studies and surveys are out to help marketeers grasp what really drives post-pandemic customers, and they are finding out some fascinating new trends and opportunities for retail store owners.

How to increase retail sales

The pandemic lock-downs and convenience of online stores and e-commerce has been tough on retail stores. But many shoppers still prefer to touch and try items before they buy them, meaning any type of business has the opportunity to increase retail sales. Let’s explore a few marketing strategies business owners are using to increase their retail sales. 

1.  Make customers feel safe

The pandemic has people scared, so make your business a safe space for both customers and staff. Make use of your website, email marketing, social media and mobile apps to communicate your safety and cleanliness standards to customers. If you are running a brick and mortar retail store, make your health and safety measures obvious to shoppers, with hand wash and even masks available for anyone who feels they need them.

2.  SEO Strategies

Ensure that your store shows up in online search results by following search engine optimization strategies. SEO strategies ensure that you appear on the all-important first Google search page. Make sure all your content is original, well written with attention to detail, and create a business listing on Google, Yelp or on social media including specific information like:

§  Name, address and phone number

§  Accurate business hours

§  Lots of reviews

§  Lots of visual and video content

3.  Use Social Media Targeting Capabilities to Your Advantage

81% of the world is connected to YouTube, and 69% of the world is using Facebook. Instagram comes in at third with 40% of the world's users. Social media continues to be the best way to reach new customers and communicate with existing ones. Many businesses are using their social media accounts to post photos of inventory or merchandise in Google search or maps, in hopes of coming up when local customers search for a product or service “near me.” The more compelling the visual content online, the more likely your local customer will come into your retail location.

4.  Consider mobile ordering

Mobile usage has surpassed PC usage, and this trend promises to continue until we find technology to replace mobile phones. Businesses who haven’t taken advantage of mobile ordering are putting themselves at an extreme disadvantage. It’s important to optimize your website for mobile viewing, to ensure information isn’t cut off or invisible while using a phone. Many stores are offering mobile ordering and touch free options, where customers shop and either drive over for easy-pick up or have the product delivered. The easier your mobile ordering process is, the higher your sales will go with very little effort.

5.  Examine Your Pricing Strategy

When pricing your products, factor in the cost of the goods and shipping costs. Setting a price point too low will make your product look cheap to customers, but pricing it too high will eliminate part of your market.  Decide how competitive your prices need to be to attract and retain customers and still make a significant product.

6.  Connect With the Customer:

Talking and communicating with customers is a great way to show them you appreciate them and let them know about any new products and services you are offering. Be sure your customer service standards are very high. A Microsoft study found that “90% of Americans use customer service as a factor in deciding whether or not to do business with a company.” Shipping is a critical part of customer service for e-commerce stores, meaning your shipping practices must be optimized to make it more transparent for customers.  Some companies are using warehouse shipping software to expedite and automate their shipping process, getting packages shipped and delivered fast and efficiently.

7.  Optimize performance and efficiency

When your business is running smoothly, customers may not notice. But when your business is not well or efficiently run, they will certainly notice. Many businesses are using technology like discrete manufacturing to optimize performance and efficiency within their company.  Discrete manufacturing technology solutions streamline the manufacturing process by pulling disparate data sources together and making management easy with real-time updates and virtualization.

Retail depends on a steady of sales to stay afloat, something that might be intimidating. Marketing is the best way to keep in touch with your existing customers and create new ones, making it the perfect place to start when setting out to boost sales. Starting small with these steps to boost sales is an inexpensive and easy way to start your journey to retail financial success