The bells are nearly jingling as we are on the final countdown of the pre-Christmas shopping season. Many consumers are yet to even start their shopping, especially the male of the species. We have compiled a few top tips to attract more customers to your business in these final few weeks that will help you be high on your holiday shoppers’ lists.
Well, who wouldn’t want that?
Start (or Re-Start) Your Loyalty Program
No it’s not just coffee shops that have loyalty systems. Having an active loyalty program that rewards repeat customers is essential to holiday shopping success.
A study from KiteWheel showed that one in four customers were frustrated by not being recognised as a past or current customer, while another study from Experian showed that 75% of U.S. companies with a loyalty program generate a positive return on investment.
And while somebody is not going to buy a fine watch or a sapphire ring off you every week just so they can get their card stamped, there are many ways you can implement a loyalty system. The most important thing to remember here is that you keep your customers coming back throughout the year.
Personalise the Customer Experience
Whether your business is part of a larger franchise or is a one-of-a-kind, you have an opportunity to create a unique customer experience that’s personalised for the patrons that walk through your door.
This is significant during the busy holiday shopping season because a study from Digital Trends showed that 73% of retail customers said they preferred to buy from brands that used their personal information to make their experience more relevant.
That’s about one of every three shoppers saying, “I’d like it if you made me feel like a human being rather than another number on your daily sales sheet.”
Personalising the customer experience often means doing many small things that accumulate into an overall amazing customer experience. Making these small tweaks for your customers can add up in a big way. Do the things your competitors can’t to create an experience that makes your customers truly appreciate your business, and more importantly creates loyalty to you and your shop.
Accept Various Forms of Payment
There is nothing more annoying for a consumer to find that once you have chosen a particular item that the shop you want to buy it from does not accept all forms of payment. We are not talking the apple pay system here, but all the other forms of payment should be available. Hardly anyone pays in cash anymore, and cheques went out with the ark, by not updating your payment systems in your shop and online means you could be turning away valuable customers who are ready to spend.
Partner with a Non-Profit
The holiday season is all about giving, so partnering with a non-profit is one way you can help customers feel good about their purchases.That might mean donating a percentage of all sales during a certain span of weeks over the holiday shopping season, or collecting donations of physical goods on-site, like food, toys, or clothing items to be given to a charitable organization.
Not only does this allow you to do something meaningful for people in need, but it also lets both organisations reach new audiences as you promote the partnership via media outlets and your individual contact lists.
Enable Customers to Buy Gift Cards Online
Jewellery is such a personable item that it is notoriously difficult to pick for somebody else, even if you know that person really well. A gift card is the perfect solution for this conundrum that many shoppers face. And even if gift cards are your sole online offering, enabling this revenue stream means more ways for you to boost sales this holiday season.
The gift card industry is booming: More than $100 billion is spent on gift cards annually, and 83% of corporations use gift cards as an employee incentive. So ask yourself, can you afford to miss out on that market?
Holiday Shopping Promotions
Throughout the holiday season, it’s a good idea to change up your promotions to keep customers coming back for more.
Maybe one week you offer a buy one get one free promotion on a specific item. Adding variety to the deals you offer means you’re providing more reasons for customers to come back and shop around again.
Add your comments below and share the ideas that have worked for you.
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