8 Useful Tips to Improve Sales in Retail

Do you want to improve your retail sales in an innovative and efficient way? We understand how competitive this industry can be. But competitors are not a problem if your business is in a niche market. In a digital world where consumers have access to any product available online, you must have the advantage so that customers choose you.

Here are our top 8 tips for increasing retail sales.

1. Maximize the potential of information

As they say “You cannot control what cannot be measured.” If you are in retail, remember to measure the effectiveness of your sales and marketing tactics. Here are some simple indicators available with intuitive real-time performance management tools:

• Number of customers and buyers. Of course, one of the key ways to improve retail sales is to increase the number of customers who enter the store. But you should also try to convince these buyers to make a purchase. With access to customer data, you can track your customer/customer ratio and develop ways to improve it;
• Sales volume per employee. By tracking the average sales per employee, you can understand who is performing well and who is performing slightly worse. Additional training can be arranged for low-performing employees;
• Average sales per customer. If you’re looking to increase your sales and cross-sell options to customers, this metric can tell you how effective your efforts are and help drive retail sales.

Choose a system that provides real-time data on staff and branch productivity remotely and quickly.

2. Using Digital Signage in your store

Using a digital signage solution, you can make a really strong impression on buyers. In terms of functionality, digital screens should be a clear guideline that helps customers find what they are looking for, whether it be products or a checkout area.

How can digital signage be used to boost retail sales?

• Showcase. Use digital screens at the front of your store and share a simple and engaging visual message. Messages should give a clear idea of the store and tell you about special offers and promotions that will attract new customers;
• Place of sale. At points of sale, where people are constantly queuing up, you can share the latest news with your customers. Why not use the checkout area to advertise your loyalty program? The staff can tell the customer about the details of the program at the time of the purchase and convince the customer to register.

3. Attract new and regular customers to your business

Regardless of which retail sector you are in, it is worth considering creating a customer loyalty program. This will help strengthen your brand image and influence specific customer groups without incurring high costs. By offering discounts and promotions, you will create a growing loyal customer base.

What are the benefits of implementing a loyalty program for customers?

• Attract new clients;
• Retain loyal customers.

4. Transform your store into a destination

If you are looking to boost your retail sales, why not turn your store into a destination? This will differentiate you from competitors who are offering prices lower than yours. You can focus on factors that make your shopping experience more enjoyable. For instance:

• WiFi availability;
• Battery charge points;
• Seating;
• Free drinks;
• Consultants.

This will not only increase the number of consumers but also the customers in your store longer and encourage them to make a purchase.

5. Online presence

It is very important these days that stores manage their online presence. This will help increase sales. Online presence includes creating a website that tells everything customers need to know about your unique business and product offering.

How to use the site to effectively manage sales?

• Optimization for mobile devices. According to reports, over 50% of mobile searches contain local content. What does it mean? Consumers try to find the stores they want from their mobile devices;
• Actively encourage users to visit your store by presenting special offers;
• Increase traffic to your store with targeted marketing campaigns that deliver tailor-made personalized content to audiences from different segments;
• Make sure your store is easy to find. Many consumers decide to make a purchase in a store if they can see the product in person immediately before purchasing. Therefore, it is important to include user-friendly locations in stores and share useful information on your site, such as address, directions from nearby stops, and opening hours.

6. Advertising on social networks

In addition to managing views on Google and Yelp, you should consider using advertising tools on platforms such as Facebook to increase your retail store reach and implement an action plan to increase sales.

Why is Facebook such a powerful retail advertising tool?

• Targeting. Facebook has access to a huge amount of data and can share it with other advertisers. For example, you can focus on an audience of 18- to 32-year-old women living in London with an annual income of £40,000 who are interested in designer clothing.

Once you feel comfortable targeting the company on Facebook, you can increase the reach of your ads. For example, you can advertise your loyalty programs to people who are already fans of your Facebook page.

7. Use Content Marketing

To be successful on the Internet, you need to actively engage your target audience, and not wait for customers to find you.

Your task is to find potential clients on the Internet who would like to know about your business. To do this, you need to engage them in the conversation with a proactive approach to content marketing.

What content is engaging your audience?

• worthwhile;
• useful;
• interesting;
• funny.

By providing engaging content, you show the value your messages bring to the lives of potential customers. This way you can control the retail sales process.

8. At the sales point

As a retail business owner, you will be looking for ways to attract new customers to your store. However, the clients you already have are the most underrated resource. Think how many customers are leaving your store buying what they planned? How many of them will share their experiences with friends and family? How many of them will return?

By leveraging the capabilities you already have, you can be sure that you are getting the most out of every client.

There are four main goals we should strive to achieve at the point of sale in order to increase retail sales in your store:

• Increase in sales;
• Sales channels;
• Newsletter e-mail;
• Regular customers.

Conclusion

We understand the challenges of running a retail store, so we suggest you take some time to read our tips. First, choose one or two tactics, implement them, and measure your success. Then gradually add a few more there. When applied effectively, you can build a much smarter and more profitable business.