The widespread adoption of online shopping in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching effects on the retail industry as a whole. This means that it's crucial for any brick-and-mortar retailer or small company to increase the number of repeat customers that shop there. In the face of rising competition from online competitors, many companies are searching for fresh ways to securely attract customers to their brick-and-mortar locations. It's possible that knowing how to increase foot traffic in stores would lead to an increase in sales conversion, a more satisfied customer base, and a higher return on investment (ROI).
Due to the lack of a real storefront, the brick-and-mortar model may present potential customers with distinct offerings that an online merchant cannot.
What is foot traffic in retail?
"Foot traffic" is the number of customers in your shop at any one time. Measuring customer traffic may tell you a lot about your business, from the success of your advertising campaigns to whether or not you have the right number of employees on hand and how to boost efficiency.
How do you measure foot traffic?
A people counter is the best instrument for measuring foot traffic, although more advanced approaches such as mobile tracking devices, thermal sensors, and video surveillance are also available. In addition to tracking the number of visits to your company, these systems may monitor consumer behaviour, dwell time, and other data.
Train your staff to provide better customer service
Review customer service training with your personnel if you have it in place. Don't have one? Then engage an experienced specialist to teach your employees for a day. If you don't have time to teach, simply saying "Thank you for purchasing with us" or "We value your business" to your staff may go a long way, cost nothing, and create a favourable impression. Make sure they understand that not every consumer will be pleasant. Your staff will be on the receiving end of some client abuse on a regular basis. Warn them ahead of time, and ensure that your personnel handle the consumer with respect and civility when an event occurs.
Create unique & compelling in-store customer experiences by creating events or workshops, etc
With increased competition, brick-and-mortar retailers must work harder to provide distinctive consumer experiences. But that won't be simple if your business is adhering to Covid's in-store headcount limitations. Consider how to maintain those footfall figures consistent so that you may maximise your allowable foot traffic throughout the day.
- Create events: Give individuals real-life experiences that they can't get online. Promote 'limited edition' VIP events, promotions, or product releases. Invite guest speakers to lecture about a related specialised sector, but only by appointment/RSVP.
- Support a charitable event: Local retail establishments provide wonderful opportunities for connection and community, both of which are important to customers right now. Consider holding community activities, such as fundraisers, to raise awareness for local or environmental concerns.
- Offer classes and workshops: Invite a guest chef or provide cooking courses if you own a cookware store. Do you sell yoga clothes? Provide free yoga lessons. Consider how you may assist clients utilise your items more effectively (through workshops or seminars) and deepen their interest in the product.
Have offers and other incentives for customers
Isn't it interesting how money constantly speaks for itself? Even better, it sometimes walks directly into your business. Don't dismiss these golden oldies - straightforward, monetary-motivated sales techniques that succeed.
- Special offers: Create a three-day limited-time in-store deal. They must, of course, attend in person, and a restricted time frame forces action. When they come to see you, make sure your team works their magic and upsells them.
- Incentivise bulk purchases: People like saving money. So, if customers can get three sets of tea towels for the price of two, or five batteries for the price of five and get an additional one free, you can nearly guarantee the result.
Experiment with omnichannel marketing and POS software
This is when the real fun begins. Success in retail no longer requires a preference for one channel over another. Customers nowadays expect everything. If you're still functioning in silos, it's time to consolidate all data into a single streamlined process.
By going digital and developing an omnichannel retail strategy with retail POS software, you will improve foot traffic and online traffic. Then things may grow a little fancier. With Click and Collect and home delivery, you can encourage your online traffic to become foot traffic, convert your foot traffic to online traffic, and get your online and offline visitors buying ahead of time.
Make your storefront attractive
In-store Signage must assist customers in purchasing things by transmitting product or service advantages or announcing discounts and specials; in other words, these displays must deserve strong calls to action. Visually appealing window displays, which complement store advertising, can assist in generating foot traffic by exhibiting the newest items or styles, which can catch buyers' attention. Though signage isn't a new approach, it is critical in reaching consumers and encouraging them to buy, and firms must employ it to assist potential customers in making in-store purchases. You can invest in a good retail display stand to make your product line more presentable.
The above-mentioned strategies will help you to attract attention and increase foot traffic in your retail store. Make sure that you are constantly trying new things out to increase your retail foot traffic to generate more revenue.
