16 Creative Ways to Promote a Retail Store
Creativity can win you tons of attention in ads and retail marketing. Retail businesses who know how to promote and market using the right strategies at the right time can attract lots of foot traffic. Whether you’re after a savvy, price-sensitive shopper or a die-hard loyalist already loving your new product before hearing the first detail, there is no shortage of ideas on how to grow.
Here are some of the best ways to promote a retail store.
Host an In-Store Event
An in-store event can be a product launch, a skills-based workshop, or a meet-and-greet. Events bring customers to your store and create opportunities for social sharing, directly and indirectly amplifying your store’s reach.
Target Customers Local-Only
Geotarget all display ads online. Launch local SEO campaigns. When your brand is online and offline, consider how you can blend in references to the clientele and region your retail store serves. Marketing to anyone else won’t net you the return you deserve.
Create Window Displays
To this day, eye-catching window displays still catch the right people’s eye. If interested, customers can be enticed to enter your doors for a minute. Bold colours, seasonal themes, and interactive digital signage elements are common for these displays.
Use Digital Signage
Digital signage can be part of a window display or a retail store’s layout. Digital signage software can be custom-programmed to deliver any messaging you want, from dashboards to kiosks, catalogues, video wall advertisements, sponsorship videos, and more.
Launch a Video Marketing Strategy
Video is your best customer engagement medium. Video marketing strategies are valuable for sales, internal training, or marketing. Don’t be afraid to chop down longer videos into multi-part short videos and craft content specifically for sites like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc.
Offer Limited-Time Discounts
Offer in-store-only limited-time discounts. Advertise on social media, email, and your website. This will attract shoppers to your store on a specific shopping day and let you know how well your store is doing regarding foot traffic and sales.
If you operate in a strict region, send promotional products to local neighbourhoods. A gift is a unique marketing piece that makes an impression.
Develop Joint Partnerships
A joint partnership with another local business allows you to reach people outside your usual reach. It’s a chance to collaborate with other community stakeholders as well. It’s a way for them to leverage you, and you leverage them to advertise to each other’s respective customer bases.
Create a Loyalty Program
Loyalty programs are a smart and consistent marketing strategy for attracting and keeping customers. It is incentivized with rewards for every purchase. Points, exclusive discounts, and early access to sales are some benefits you can offer through such a program.
Show Behind-the-Scenes Content
Make a documentary, a how-to on how a specific product is made, or a behind-the-scenes look at what makes your business special. Giving a glimpse into the reality behind a brand humanizes a business and creates interest.
Publish Content as an Expert
Film videos, make infographics, or write how-to guides to publish as blogs on your website. Demonstrate your expertise. Whether it’s a topic, a discussion, an exploratory video, or a tutorial, delivering free content that positions you as an expert and authority gets you positive publicity.
Participate in Local Hashtags
If there are local events that are fun, entertaining, and relevant to your business, jump on those conversations and hashtags. Put them in your social media feeds or respond to others’ posts. However, if you pursue this route, avoid politics and controversial subjects.
Infographics and Offline Graphics
Infographics explain concepts and processes or share data. It’s unique and impactful. Infographics are useful on social media but can be repurposed in offline sales flyers, ads, and more.
Use Local Influencers
Seek out local social media influencers, bloggers, and local newspapers for brand visibility. Use others’ trusted voices to market to their audience, introducing your brand to a new audience.
Run a Pop-Up Store
Hit up a high-traffic location in your area and set up a pop-up shop. This temporary retail spot will introduce your brand to customers in this area and allow new individuals to discover your store.
User-Generated Content
Consider launching a contest where local community members can participate by writing, drawing, or posting content. User-generated content can be included in digital signage and social posts to integrate your brand more into local culture.
QR Codes
Place QR codes in-store and on your digital signage to connect customers to special promotions, product details, and social media. Unite your brick-and-mortar with digital marketing.