Four Ways to Increase In-Store Foot Traffic

Finding ways to attract customers to brick-and-mortar locations is critical to the ongoing success of retailers. Online retailers have had a significant impact on the number of consumers who shop locally. 

The right strategies provide added incentives for shoppers to shop in-store rather than online.

Here are four ways to draw more foot traffic into your stores.

1. In-Store Atmosphere

Providing a positive customer experience begins with the look and feel of your store. Cleanliness and atmosphere matter. Fine-tune areas such as your store’s layout, lighting, product displays, and signage in order to best appeal to your key demographics.

Maintaining the right atmosphere can establish your store as the preferred shopping destination and provide added incentives for customers to visit again and again.

2. Convenient Hours

One of the major selling points for online shopping is the 24/7 access to products and product information. Some retailers extend hours, particularly during peak sales seasons, to attract early-morning or late-night shoppers or those who can only shop on weekends. 

By extending your hours into the evening or to seven days per week, you may attract more of these types of shoppers. Be sure to publicize new or extended shopping hours and consider offering special savings for those who shop during these times. 

3. In-Store Selection of Products

Keeping an array of popular devices and accessories in stock at your store attracts shoppers looking for instant gratification. With delays of two days to two weeks common in the online marketplace, you can distinguish your store from these vendors by offering the most popular or newest devices and technologies with immediate availability. 

Even if your store doesn’t maintain a supply of all popular items, your sales associates can provide suitable replacement options that can help customers achieve their tech goals more quickly.

4. Expert Customer Service

The number one way to attract and retain customers is to provide them with the information and guidance needed to make the right choices when it comes to technology and PC devices. Ensure your sales team is knowledgeable about your product offerings and prepared to create great shopping experiences for your customers. 

Ways to enhance the skills of your sales team include:

• Encouraging sales associate participation in training programs which provide in-depth information about upcoming products, trends in the tech industry, and functionality for cutting-edge processors, computing devices, and wearables. 

• Creating in-store training and mentoring opportunities to help sales associates create personal connections with customers. Online retailers can’t match the personal attention and friendly interactions provided by their brick-and-mortar counterparts. 

• Confirming your sales associates are thoroughly familiar with corresponding peripherals, accessories, and cables for every device in your store. Doing so generates more opportunities for cross-selling and boosts your store’s reputation as an authoritative source for information on new technologies and devices. 

Giving your sales associates the tools they need to achieve greater success can pay off in higher sales and increased word-of-mouth advertising among customers in your local area.

Focusing on the ways in which your stores differ from online shopping venues can have a positive effect on your foot traffic and sales. By working with your sales associates to create a welcoming and positive atmosphere and to provide the most accurate and up-to-date guidance for your customers, you can achieve the best results when competing with online-only vendors.

Take advantage of the product and sales training offered through the Intel® Retail Edge Program. Your sales associates have access to the latest information on technologies and products powered by Intel® processors. Your customers will appreciate the added insights made possible by this advanced training and the personalized service provided by your sales staff.