As consumer buying habits and demands continue to evolve, it is important for small retailers to take steps to adjust. Providing a positive customer experience has become a challenge, however, there are several ways your business can transform to meet the demands of today’s retail customers.
Follow Basic Safety Precautions
“Consumers are putting COVID-19 safety measures at the top of their shopping lists and rewarding businesses that do the same.” Wearing masks, washing hands, offering wipes and hand sanitizer and setting up boundaries to ensure social distancing are just a few of the precautions consumers have come to expect from retailers. These precautions help to keep both your employees and customers safe. In a time where consumers are looking for reassurance, taking every precaution just makes sense.
Offer Contactless Payment
“About 46% of consumers believe using contactless payment methods is among the most important safety measures for retailers to follow. And 48% of consumers say they would refuse to shop at stores that only offer payment methods requiring contact with cashiers.” Contactless payment systems allow your customers to use a variety of payment methods via their debit/credit card or smartphone simply by hovering their card or device over your reader.
Launch An Ecommerce Store
“There's been a 129% year-over-year growth in U.S. & Canadian e-commerce orders as of April 21 and an impressive 146% growth in all online retail orders.” Launching an ecommerce store is a must for small retailers to remain viable and continue to grow. Ecommerce allows you to reach a much wider audience, offer more products, accept online order and deliver straight to your customer’s door. In an age where convenience is a priority, ecommerce will be a necessary component for small retailers well into the future.
Offer In-Store Pick-Up
“A recent study from CFI Group says that 78 percent of consumers consider in-store pickup of online orders either important or very important, proving that the benefits of in-store pickup are clear.” The ability to pick up an item immediately and seek advice from your employees are the major motivating factors for customers seeking this option. The bonus for owners is that these customers are very likely to add to their purchase once they’ve made their way into your store.
Carry Unique And Useful Products
Diversifying your product offerings is certainly a good idea in order to meet customer demands and continue to grow your business. What makes small retailers stand out is their ability to offer a diverse selection of unique items. With so many people turning to large online retailers like Amazon for basic needs and luxury items, you need to ensure your retail shop has something unique to offer. Paying attention to current trends in entertainment, fashion and safety will allow you to align your offerings with the wants and needs of your customers.
Click below to learn the how and why of diversifying your small business.
