Converting Sales Even When Closed
/Non essential shops maybe closed for now, but at this critical time of year for retailers there are many ways to connect with customers through store fronts and help them make a purchase.
It maybe as simple as bringing festive joy to passers by even when closed, by implementing a Christmas window display to showcase product. There is an obvious trend for large groupings items in windows which we haven't seen for a while, but shows customers lots of options to window shop from.
Other tactics that brands are using:
Driving customers to the website via a QR code, converting window shopping into sales
Offering free delivery or even better super fast express delivery services, Space NK have 2 hour courier options
Virtual Appointments via instagram or FaceTime mean that customers can have a tour of the shop and ask questions with a very personal one to one service, again bookable via a QR code
Selfridges are promoting Dial-a-Santa meet and greets so children can talk to Father Christmas himself from their own front room
Click and Collect is an important service that most brands are offering to customers, apple have a very slick operation to get customers in and out of the store and pick up their pre ordered items
Traditional telephone orders direct to stores for click and collect or delivery
Lots of innovative community building initiatives are being developed and tested. Some will stick with us long after lock down ends. Ultimate flexibility seems to be the future, although I am really looking forward to heading out into shops again before Christmas and soak up some of that festive magic in real life.