As a retailer today, you're battling with online giants like Amazon for customers. Rather than trying to beat them at their own price-slashing game, it's time to think beyond that. What does your brick-and-mortar store offer customers that they can't find anywhere else? Here are three of the best ways to increase foot traffic in your store.
First, think about the movie theater. Since many people now have large TVs at home and comfier couches, traditional movie theaters began losing the crowds they once enjoyed. What was the purpose of leaving home to pay money if Netflix and binge was an option?
Consider the movie theater chains that are bringing in customers now. Alamo Drafthouse sells hand-delivered milkshakes and cocktails to moviegoers in plush, reclining seats. Others host midnight showings for the most popular movies so fans can dress up and cheer on their favorite characters. Successful movie theaters are shaping experiences for their customers beyond what they can get at home.
For online stores, price and a good website are your only major differentiators. However, as a brick-and-mortar retail space, you can offer so much more. To increase foot traffic in your store, consider creating fun experiences for your customers by:
If you sell online as well as in-store, make the process seamless for your customers.
For younger shoppers who consider shopping a social experience, draw them in with interactive or deeply beautiful window displays. You can create your own window displays with just a bit of creativity and an eye for design. Shopify's blog lays out some best practices for putting together window designs.
At Beatriz Ball, we recommend including highly-tactile and interesting pieces in these window displays. These are items that blow shoppers away and can't truly be appreciated online, whether because of their size or finish. Pieces that epitomize this include the Garden Banana Leaf Platter, the SOHO Artemis Centerpiece, or the giant SOHO Berlin Tray.
After the window display pulls them in, encourage shoppers to stay awhile with open-space store layouts that encourage shoppers to touch and engage with products—something they can't do online.
At the end of the day, getting customers in the door is your first and most important step towards a sales conversion. Give them something they can't find online—an in-person experience, connection with their local community, or the ability to touch and hold pieces—and you'll ensure they keep coming back.