A 2016 poll by Gallup reveals that one of the biggest financial obstacles small business owners face circle around increasing new business and attracting customers. And if you’re a business boutique owner, chances are that you experience bouts of sales drop every few months. As someone who depends entirely on your business, you’ve probably spent a fair amount of time trying to figure out what to do, as well as worrying about your next moves. Worry not; here are some ideas to boost your in-store sale statistics:
It’s all about the design
The success of your boutique store depends heavily on your design. It’s vital to keep this in mind. From the moment someone steps into your store to when they finally bring something to the cashier, your smart design choices will make an impact on your sales. Let them in on a journey. The moment they walk in a store, you should have displays that tell you what your store is all about.
Put up the latest trend if you own a clothing boutique, or the best vintage home decors if you’re a vintage store. After this, your customers will either go left or right, but ensure that their eyes remain busy. Install wall brackets that can hold your items well on curated shelves. Use colorful wall art that complements your goods. Do not hold back.
Get to know your customers
Econsultancy has published an article, emphasizing that most retailers do not know enough about their customers. This lack of knowledge greatly affects production of marketing strategies and assessment of business goals. If you’re in the boutique industry, it is integral that you are able to identify your customer segment, as this where the success of your business lies.
Customer insight and data should be shaping retail strategies, but most business owners rely on guesswork. If you wish to bring those sales up, don’t simply rely on copying your competition or following trends blindly. Do your own work.
Hire the right people
Your employees will spend all their time on your boutique, so they play a monumental role in ensuring its success. Selecting your team should be done carefully, and it doesn’t stop there. You need to make sure that they have been trained thoroughly, performing well to your customer service standards. Doing so will make your customers feel cared for and understood. Likewise, it is important that you take care of your employees well.
Listen to customer feedback
Your customers know themselves better than your research ever will. With this in mind, remember that a successful boutique business owner knows how to listen to customer feedback – even if it’s hard to hear. Listen to what they have to say, as this is where you will be able to gain a deep and solid understanding of what they both want and need. From there, you will be able to come up with better products and value-added services carefully designed to suit their tastes. Moreover, your customers will appreciate your willingness to improve and learn from your mistakes, adding more trust and credibility to the bond. This will likely solidify their loyalty more and lead them to talk more about your store.
There are still plenty of different ways you can increase your boutique sales, but remember that nurturing customer loyalty is key, as with training your employees. While the design of your store is integral, you must learn to invest in the people. Keep your focus on customers and employees. Fulfill their wants and needs through good service and seamless brand experience. Doing so will ensure that your boutique grows and stays relevant.
