We’ve all entered a store before and instantly wished we hadn’t. Whether it’s the store owner watching you like a hawk, the deathly quiet atmosphere that makes everything feel awkward, or the confusing and poorly designed store layout confusing things… We’ve all gone through the process of pretending to browse before we make a hasty retreat.
As a store owner, it’s never been more difficult to get footfall through your doors, therefore it’s important to acknowledge that the experience your customer has doesn’t begin when they approach the register, but from the moment they pass the threshold.
If you’ve done things a certain way for a long time, the idea of introducing changes can feel daunting, however, improving the in-store experience for your customers will not only benefit them but also give your revenue a much-needed boost. Read on to discover 4 ways this can be done.
Make Payments Easier
Are you still a business that primarily handles cash? Or are you stuck with an old chip and pin machine? Updating your payment hardware is a simple, yet highly effective way to improve the customer experience within your store. Updating your credit card readers means being able to accept contactless payments as well as payments from smart devices.
An updated payments approach isn’t just convenient for your customers, it means fewer customers left waiting, faster service and valuable purchase data is collected, which will help you identify which products are selling well and which need a little help.
Make Children Welcome
Parents who know that their children are safe and occupied will be able to browse for longer and make additional purchases. Consider creating a child-friendly space for younger visitors to sit, read or play with toys while their parents explore your store. Word quickly spreads amongst local families about child-friendly stores, so why not make the most of this lucrative market and create an in-store experience that includes children.
Create a Positive Atmosphere
Whether you’re selling cookware, spiritual gifts, fresh food or kids’ toys, creating the right atmosphere within your store will improve customer satisfaction and create a more authentic and immersive shopping experience. Background music is a simple, yet effective way to achieve this and lighting will also play a part in developing the right mood and atmosphere for your store.
Train Your Employees
Your staff are an extension of your business, they represent your professionalism, your high-quality products and how much you value your customers. Invest in training your employees so they can handle queries and complaints better, are more helpful to shoppers and so they can seamlessly up or cross-sell your products. Your staff are part of your brand, so make sure they’re up to the right standard and understand their role within the customer experience.
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