How does a local shop compete with a box store? It’s hard to compete in price, or hours, or selection but if you create an experience for the shopper, you’ll be more likely to see them again.
How Do I Create a Memorable Local Shopping Experience?
Offer Extraordinary Customer Service
Make your shopper feel welcomed and delight them at every turn from a friendly greeting, to an unexpected little something in the bag. These gestures will help you stand out from other stores.
Educate Them in a Fun Way
An education in grape fermentation is not nearly as enjoyable as one where you can sample the wines afterwards. Find a way to educate your shoppers through enjoyment. This could be a tasting or DIY class. You can offer them for free or charge a nominal fee but any way you look at it, it makes an impression.
Allow Them to Take Their Time
Some grocery stores offer free cookies to children because they know if kids are quiet, parents can spend more time shopping. Remove the obstacles to browsing in your store by either having a kid friendly section, offering treats, welcoming pets to browse with their owners, etc.
Show Off Your Knowledge
It’s nice to ask your customers if they have any questions but it’s also a great idea to engage them in conversation. Asking if they have any questions solicits a yes or no. Conversation over. Asking them something about your product, such as if they know the difference between extra virgin olive oil and what passes in most grocery store for it, will give you an opportunity to show off your knowledge and help them appreciate the difference.
You have the power to turn an ordinary stroll through your store into something memorable and create return shoppers, if you capture their attention and provide them with amazing service.
Image via morgueFile