[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title meta=”off” featured_placement=”background” _builder_version=”4.16″ title_font=”|700||on|||||” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_font_size=”30px” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.56)” text_orientation=”center” custom_padding=”15%||15%” text_shadow_style=”preset2″ parallax_effect=”on” module_bg_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0|0px|18.95px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Intro” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
From crossing items off the honey-do list to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>finding the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>perfect pair of boots<\/span><\/span>, your customers should\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>be able to find\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>everything they<\/span><\/span>\u2019re seeking<\/span><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>However, p<\/span><\/span>roviding what customers need doesn\u2019t always result in lucrative sales. That\u2019s why<\/span><\/span>, in recognition of National Independent Retailer Month,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>we\u2019ve compiled 10 secrets to boost sales in your\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>retail\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>store. Let\u2019s nail down some specific tactics!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Create a Niche” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n What kind of niche market<\/a> can you create in your store? This depends on your location and buyers and how it will be personalized to customers you regularly receive.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Are you in a new town with houses popping up every day? Then your niche might be new homeowners and your hot items might be kits with everything a new homeowner might need.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Is your store located in a<\/span>\u00a0tourist destination<\/span>? Then\u00a0<\/span>items tourists might need or want cou<\/span>ld be your niche and key to boost sales. <\/span>Outdoor recreation gear, summer clothing, fishing and watercraft are all possibilities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n An excellent example of niche markets are the prevalent breweries<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and outdoor activ<\/span>it<\/span>ies that draw people to\u00a0<\/span>Central Oregon.\u00a0<\/span>The microbrew industry has turned local businesses into nationally known corporations.\u00a0<\/span>Hydro Flask,\u00a0<\/span>Humm\u00a0<\/span>K<\/span>ombucha,\u00a0<\/span>Ruff Wear for dogs<\/span>, and other companies have\u00a0<\/span>been sparked by regional interests\u00a0<\/span>and their products are wildly popular<\/span>\u00a0nationwide<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re not sure what your niche market is, then ask yourself: \u201cWhat is my customer\u2019s biggest\u00a0<\/span>need<\/span>?\u201d Your store should be the\u202f<\/span>best<\/span><\/i>\u202fsolution to\u00a0<\/span>fulfill their\u00a0<\/span>desires<\/span>. Whatever the niche, stock your shelves accordingly.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Customize” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Creating a niche is the ultimate customization.\u00a0<\/span>To go along with\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>niche market, some stores hire designers\u00a0<\/span>and industry specialists to draw in and hook customers.\u00a0<\/span>Does your hardware store specialize in crafting kitchen floors or luxurious bathrooms? A designer might help to give your business that high-end boost.<\/span>\u00a0Do you have a furniture store? Hiring an interior designer to help customers chose<\/span>\u00a0the perfect living room or bedroom set is a huge attraction. Do you have a main<\/span>stream pharmacy? Specializing in holistic wellness and its products\u00a0<\/span>and hiring someone who specializes in alternative treatments\u00a0<\/span>is a great way to attract shoppers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Serve the Community” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Community service is a must for <\/span>a<\/span>ny small business looking to boost sales<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Local independent businesses need to be involved in their communities to attract and retain customers. And the possibilities for that involvement are endless.\u00a0<\/span>Get<\/span>\u00a0involved in rebuilding a park<\/span>, p<\/span>ainting the library<\/span>, or home repair\u00a0<\/span>for someone in need<\/span>. Sponsor youth sports, not just with a check, but with involvement. Volunteer at community events such as fun runs, food drives,\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0<\/span>festivals<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Community service goes a long way in the hearts of citizens. It also builds a bond between you and your customer. They\u2019ll remember what you did, and they\u2019ll remember your store.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Stay in Season” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In the spring<\/span>\u00a0and summer<\/span>, your store should be stocked with the must-haves for\u00a0<\/span>outdoor activities, both work and fun.\u00a0<\/span>I<\/span>n the\u00a0<\/span>winter, create an eye-catching window display of shiny new tools for shoveling snow<\/span>, warm winter clothing, or in\u00a0<\/span>more temperate coastal climates, shift your focus from shorts<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>T-shirts\u00a0<\/span>and sandals\u00a0<\/span>to hoodies, flannel pants\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>fuzzy, warm after-surf boots<\/span>. Adjust to the season to keep your sales flowing smoothly.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Keep it Social” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Social media<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>is a<\/span>ny\u00a0<\/span>retail\u00a0<\/span>store\u2019s dream.\u00a0<\/span>If your store isn\u2019t using online sales and social media, do it.\u00a0<\/span>Approximately 3.5 billion people in the world use social media<\/a> in some form. And for those of you who think it\u2019s a young person\u2019s platform, 48% of those people are Baby Boomers \u2013 those born between 1946 and 1964. You can use social media to both build a customer following and boost sales at very little cost. <\/span>D<\/span>ifferent platforms that attract different audiences. Facebook is big with Baby Boomers, Generation X and millennials.\u00a0<\/span>Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter are the top platforms with the younger generations<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Reward Your Customers ” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Want to keep your customers coming back for more?\u00a0<\/span>Reward them.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>All retail stores should have\u00a0<\/span>an<\/span>\u00a0incentive<\/span>\u00a0program for their customers and even if you\u2019re not Costco, Home Depot<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0or\u00a0<\/span>Target, you can reward your loyal customers.\u00a0<\/span>Rich Rewards is a royalty-free loyalty program from Paladin that will keep customers coming in for more. A loyalty program gives an incentive for the customer to buy more; once they reach a certain amount, they get a freebie. And as you know,\u202f<\/span>free<\/span><\/i>\u202fis a customer\u2019s favorite word.\u202fAnother possibility is a third-party provider such as\u00a0<\/span>RepeatRewards<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>These solutions give retailers high-powered programs to effectively compete with chain stores and big online experiences. They reward faithful customers and give retailers a great way to interact with their loyal shoppers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Offer Convenience ” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n If you can stop a customer from having to go to two different places to finish his to-do list, then make that happen. Can you sell snacks?\u00a0<\/span>Convenience items<\/span>? What are some things customers have asked for that you don\u2019t carry? How can you make shopping\u202f<\/span>convenient<\/span><\/i>\u202ffor your customers?\u00a0<\/span>Delivery service<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is another convenience that is rapidly becoming an expectation of modern shoppers. Businesses can set up their\u00a0<\/span>own delivery service or\u00a0<\/span>contract with local providers.\u00a0<\/span>Buy online, pickup in store (BOPIS)<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or curbside pickup has become increasingly popular during the\u00a0<\/span>health and economic crisis.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Update Your Technology ” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n If a hamster running on a wheel is needed to operate your cash register, then it\u2019s time to update your technology. Keeping your store up to date with technology gives your customers a sense of security and benefits your store with organization, automation and accuracy. A\u00a0<\/span>digital retail platform with an intuitive\u00a0<\/span>point-of-sale system is a\u00a0<\/span>necessity today as the economic shutdown has shown.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Paladin offers a\u202f<\/span>point-of-sale solution<\/span><\/a>\u202f<\/span>for independent businesses that streamlines all business operations<\/span>. Paladin provides powerful inventory management<\/span>\u00a0along with\u00a0<\/span>hundreds of supplier and business features and integrations designed to let you manage your entire store from a single touchpoint. There is plenty of<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>new technology<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\u2013<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>dynamic digital signag<\/span>e,\u00a0<\/span>mobile delivery and sales tools<\/span><\/a>, and more \u2013 you can\u00a0<\/span>put to use<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>enhance your store\u2019s shopping experience<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Offer Helpful Tips ” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Sometimes business isn\u2019t always about making sales.\u00a0<\/span>Your online presence\u00a0<\/span>and helping your customers with their needs\u00a0<\/span>is\u00a0<\/span>extremely\u00a0<\/span>important<\/span>\u00a0as the retail\u00a0<\/span>closure ha<\/span>Create a Niche<\/span><\/a><\/h2>\n
Customize<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Serve the Community<\/span><\/h2>\n
Stay in Season<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Keep It\u00a0<\/span>Social<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Reward Your Customers<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Offer Convenience<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Update Your Technology<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Offer Helpful Tips<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n