Some people are switching permanently to online shopping in a bid to appeal to a market that’s more comfortable staying home than going out right now. But with major shopping holidays like Black Friday and Christmas coming up in the next couple of months, chances are there will be a return to shopping in brick and mortar stores, so not all hope is lost. What is important is that you prepare for this odd winter that is approaching to help maximise sales and keep customers as safe and happy as possible. The following steps could serve as good starting points.
By Team Savant
Image: Toa Heftiba
2020 has been a difficult year for those of us running traditional brick and mortar stores. The coronavirus and Covid-19 pandemic has seen many physical stores having to close their doors to the public for many months of the year in order to comply with government guidelines. This had a huge impact on sales and many businesses found themselves collapsing, unable to cope with high commercial rent and no income. If you made it through these difficult times, you may find that there are still various issues to overcome.
Keeping Customers Warm
The first hurdle to overcome during the colder months of the year is that stores have a more limited capacity, which means customers may have to queue outside before entering. This has been fine during the warmer months, but as the temperature drops, you may find that people are less willing to stand around waiting. You don’t want to lose customers because of the cold. Instead, it could definitely prove worth investing in some heat lamps that can be used outdoors. There are options that use heating oil and could keep customers warm and cosy while they wait. If anything, this could even draw customers in!
Keeping Customers Dry
Another issue that the elements bring during the winter months is rain, sleet or even snow. You don’t want your customers to get wet while they stand outside, as many won’t even begin to queue and will walk straight past. Why not have some branded umbrellas that you can hand to customers while they wait.
Maximising Your Window Displays
Window displays are going to be a major selling point for your business during winter. Sure, many stores usually go all out with their displays during the lead up to festivities. But right now, they could determine whether people are drawn to your shop or not. The key to a great window display is getting creative and thinking outside of the box. It entails much more than simply placing your best wares in the window. It means getting customers to turn their head in the street.
Most of these steps are simple and low cost to implement. So why not be prepared and give them a go? They could make all the difference when it comes to maximising sales throughout the winter period. This could really help at the end of such a difficult year.