There is uncertainty for customers and retailers alike when it comes to COVID-19, retail, and the future of the industry.
Things are constantly changing, states and locations are enforcing new rules, and businesses of all sizes are suffering the effects of the virus, both financially and emotionally. This is especially true for brick-and-mortar stores.
Many physical locations were forced to close due to lockdown laws being in place across the country. People are being encouraged to social distance and asked to limit their exposure. This may have encouraged online shopping during COVID-19. However, brick-and-mortar retailers must find ways to remain relevant and increase their revenue numbers to survive.
This will be a difficult time for many retailers. It can seem impossible to understand how to keep a brick-and-mortar store open. There are still ways you can help in these difficult times. In this post, we will discuss some tips for brick-and-mortar retail during COVID-19.
How brick-and-mortar retailers can increase revenue and sales
It can be hard to find the right tips for brick-and-mortar retail during COVID-19. This is especially true if you don’t know much about social media, mobile marketing, or online shopping. There are simple things that you can do to improve your eCommerce setup and increase sales, even if the coronavirus is sweeping. These are:
Get in touch with important customers
It’s a well-known fact that 20% of your customers make up 80% of your revenue. These customers are vital to your business and must be given priority.
Keep in touch with customers via any medium you have, be it blog posts, text messages, or emails. They must be your primary focus, given the current circumstances. Passenger clothing has done a great job with this, in both its email campaigns and its social media posts. They offer personalized discounts, warm support, and helpful shopping information without ever losing their brand voice or identity. It will show that you care about your customers who are most important and valuable.
Gift cards
Although it may seem obvious, gift cards do work. Gift cards can be used to give retailers an immediate cash injection and encourage repeat customers. Gift cards are a great way to help a small business that is struggling financially. You can keep your customers in mind and attract new customers with discount gift cards. With lockdowns still in place, digital gift card programs are an excellent way to do this without having to travel.
Be sure to use appropriate messaging
Your messaging is more important than ever. Companies must be sensitive to the needs of consumers and rethink how they approach marketing and advertising.
Some campaigns may need to be stopped for products. Images of people touching or being near one another may need removing. Your copy will need to reflect the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic. While this doesn’t necessarily mean changing your brand messaging or your principles, it does require that your copy reflects the current global climate.
Be authentic and avoid being opportunistic. Communicate directly with customers about your company’s activities and plans. Customers will likely avoid interaction with your company if they make mistakes in their messaging.
Shipment Costs Reduced Wherever Possible
Shipping costs are a good place to begin when trying to reduce expenses. You should try to fulfill orders manually whenever possible. Local shipping options should also be considered.
Customers who live near your business could be offered local delivery options. Local shipping rates will automatically apply at checkout for those living in your chosen zone. This will allow you to communicate clearly with your customers about any delays or changes to product availability.
Brick-and-Mortar stores are being forced to move online because of the crisis
Most businesses now have to concentrate on online shopping when it comes to eCommerce or COVID-19. Social distancing has resulted in a drastic reduction in the shopping options available to people. This has led to eCommerce becoming a central retail aspect.
Online shopping has been embraced by both retailers and customers who were previously opposed to it. Some multinational businesses, such as Aldi didn’t have an online shopping platform and did not plan to incorporate it, were forced to go online to retain customers. They acted quickly to make it possible for users to order food online and have it delivered directly to their homes. As they can engage, interact, and convert customers in completely new ways, their orders have increased tremendously.
It has never been more important to embrace online shopping and eCommerce. It can completely transform the way you run your brick-and-mortar store, opening your products and services to new customers when they most need them.
The Future of Brick-and-Mortar retail
Some people may believe that this means the end of brick-and-mortar retail. However, it is not true. Although physical stores can be beneficial to your business, they should not be the sole focus of your retail strategy.
The future of sales will be more dependent on providing exceptional customer experiences than just generating sales. Customers will be more likely to remember your store if they have access to items that aren’t available online. This will improve their perception and sales overall. Brick-and-mortar stores will likely use customer experience to build loyalty, much like brands like Sephora.
Future retail will include integrating offline and online sales to create a single experience for all customers. This will enable companies to provide personalized and informative experiences regardless of whether they are shopping online, at home, or in a physical store. To drive your business forward, you must create an engaging, unique, and pleasant shopping experience across all channels.
Last Thoughts
It’s difficult to predict long-term COVID-19 effects on shopping habits. To help keep revenue coming in, it is best to focus on eCommerce when dealing with COVID-19. Although it might seem difficult to concentrate on right now, this is not the end of retail. It is bringing about the next stage of physical shopping, and in-store experiences that will be more cohesive about a brand’s digital presence.
