How Can Small American Retail Firms Attract More Customers?
In recent years, small American retailers have experienced difficult trading times. Most notably, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly damaged the financial health of many smaller outlets, especially those that relied purely on physical premises. As movement restrictions and lock-downs were imposed across many states, retail firms experienced dramatic downturns in footfall and a loss of trade that resulted in the permanent closure of many businesses.
Today, high inflation levels and a reduction in consumer spending power create further challenges for small American retail firms. However, it’s still possible to thrive in these difficult economic circumstances. By making some key changes to business practices (including the physical retail environment,) small firms can seek to gain an increasing number of visitors to their stores. This article highlights some of the key ways that this can be achieved.
Upgrade your physical premises
When Americans go to the store, they’ll most likely travel there by private car. 91.7% of Americans own at least one car and 88% of them will use this vehicle to visit retail outlets when shopping.
For small retail businesses, there’s a distinct need to provide high-quality parking facilities, ideally on site. This will encourage more people to visit your store and will help them to transport their purchases over a short distance back to their vehicle. If you don’t have adequate parking facilities or they’ve fallen into a state of disrepair, seek out the services of dedicated construction firms who can create high-quality concrete car parking areas, such as those that can be found at https://www.keflatwork.com/commercial-concrete-services/.
A professionally designed and durable car parking area will improve both the image and functionality of your retail firm. Providing such facilities will encourage repeat customers to visit your store as their shopping experience will be effortless and the overall appeal of the area will be improved.
Insist on exceptional customer service
Americans are very discerning consumers and expect exceptional customer service when they visit retail premises. Recent evidence suggests that 58% of customers are willing to pay more for goods and services if they receive excellent customer service. Conversely, if customers experience poor service or have complaints that aren’t adequately resolved when shopping at your retail store, they’re highly unlikely to return and become regular customers.
All small retail firms should ensure that they provide their staff with high-quality training that focuses on delivering exceptional customer service. Staff should always be courteous, seek to actively help customers with any questions or queries, and ensure that any complaints are dealt with swiftly (or escalated to management if they can’t be resolved at the time of the incident.)
Gain a web presence
Briefly, in the age of the internet and e-commerce, even the smallest of retail outlets should have a web presence. A professionally designed business website can help to improve the brand image of your firm, increase brand loyalty, and gain extra revenue streams for your company. Selling your product range online can help to dramatically boost your total sales.
By providing online visitors with a fast-loading, well-designed, and high-performing website you’ll be able to feature higher up on search result pages when customers are searching for specific goods that your store sells.
Today, high inflation levels and a reduction in consumer spending power create further challenges for small American retail firms. However, it’s still possible to thrive in these difficult economic circumstances. By making some key changes to business practices (including the physical retail environment,) small firms can seek to gain an increasing number of visitors to their stores. This article highlights some of the key ways that this can be achieved.
Upgrade your physical premises
When Americans go to the store, they’ll most likely travel there by private car. 91.7% of Americans own at least one car and 88% of them will use this vehicle to visit retail outlets when shopping.
For small retail businesses, there’s a distinct need to provide high-quality parking facilities, ideally on site. This will encourage more people to visit your store and will help them to transport their purchases over a short distance back to their vehicle. If you don’t have adequate parking facilities or they’ve fallen into a state of disrepair, seek out the services of dedicated construction firms who can create high-quality concrete car parking areas, such as those that can be found at https://www.keflatwork.com/commercial-concrete-services/.
A professionally designed and durable car parking area will improve both the image and functionality of your retail firm. Providing such facilities will encourage repeat customers to visit your store as their shopping experience will be effortless and the overall appeal of the area will be improved.
Insist on exceptional customer service
Americans are very discerning consumers and expect exceptional customer service when they visit retail premises. Recent evidence suggests that 58% of customers are willing to pay more for goods and services if they receive excellent customer service. Conversely, if customers experience poor service or have complaints that aren’t adequately resolved when shopping at your retail store, they’re highly unlikely to return and become regular customers.
All small retail firms should ensure that they provide their staff with high-quality training that focuses on delivering exceptional customer service. Staff should always be courteous, seek to actively help customers with any questions or queries, and ensure that any complaints are dealt with swiftly (or escalated to management if they can’t be resolved at the time of the incident.)
Gain a web presence
Briefly, in the age of the internet and e-commerce, even the smallest of retail outlets should have a web presence. A professionally designed business website can help to improve the brand image of your firm, increase brand loyalty, and gain extra revenue streams for your company. Selling your product range online can help to dramatically boost your total sales.
By providing online visitors with a fast-loading, well-designed, and high-performing website you’ll be able to feature higher up on search result pages when customers are searching for specific goods that your store sells.