When you own a convenience store, it can go one of two directions.
You can become one of those stores that fail to make an impact on the local market and fades away into obscurity and bankruptcy.
Or you can be the go-to convenience store around town.
If you have a well-known business, it means you’re attracting customers by the droves.
So, ask yourself — are you well-known around town? Or are you just another store, waiting to fade away?
Either way, you must always strive for that much-heralded staple status. Even if you’re currently seeing fortunes go your way, you can’t take your eyes off the prize.
You must focus intensely on looking for new and exciting ways to attract customers to your convenience store. Sure, you’ll get straggling customers just by existing — but that’s not enough to take your business to the next level.
I’m willing to bet that if you follow the tips below, in due time, you’ll have found enough success to consider opening another store:
1. Aim for the Stars
We’re not saying to be foolhardy with your goal-making when it comes to attracting customers.
Still, you must be lofty with your aspirations, or else you won’t be doing more than your competitors. With such an attitude, if you’re lucky, you’ll only be scraping by.
For instance, if you’re trying to aim for a specific number of average daily foot traffic, think of what you’d describe as a decent number. Then increase it by 10–20%.
In this case, you’re being ambitious but not unreasonable.
2. Be Active on Facebook
I understand you may be insanely busy. Owning a convenience store undoubtedly is an hour-sapping pursuit. And you’ve probably told yourself that you’ve got no time for Facebook.
Well, like many business owners, you must be efficient and economical with your time — and find a way to utilize Facebook (and other social media).
It’s 2020, and you need to promote your business.
How do you promote your business? By reaching customers where they are, so they can hear, see, or read about your latest specials and newest products.
The vast majority of your customers are on Facebook. First, you can market your account in-store and ‘Friend’ customers, or just get them to follow your business page. Tell them if they connect with you on social media, it’ll make them privy to Facebook-specific deals.
Beyond that, you can post in various local business groups on Facebook. This allows you to reach out to customers outside of your network and potentially attract new business.
3. Implement a Digital Loyalty Program
What’s the difference between a digital loyalty program and a regular loyalty program?
First and foremost, loyalty programs of old necessitate physical cards that are easy to lose and expensive to print.
Whereas digital loyalty stamps like those at Loopy Loyalty require no such thing. Better yet, it works with mobile wallets such as Apple Wallet and Google Pay.
When a loyal customer purchases $10 worth of items, you can award them with one digital stamp, for instance. When they collect five stamps or have spent $50, you can reward them with a free chocolate bar, candy, beverage, or any other snack. Or maybe, it can be a specific number of items instead of a dollar amount before there’s a reward. You can decide the terms of how digital stamps are rewarded.
Customers love loyalty programs, take advantage of this fact, and word will spread about the awesomeness of your convenience store.
4. Focus on Word-of-Mouth Marketing
Did you know that Nielsen reported that 92% of consumers believe suggestions from friends and family more than advertising?
More specifically, as a local business, your convenience store thrives on word-of-mouth marketing.
Now, the first facet of word-of-mouth marketing is providing exceptional service and better products at a fair price.
Ensure that your store is sufficiently stocked all the time. Note specific items that your regular customers like and make an effort to always replenish at the right time. This way, they’ll never leave disappointed.
Enhancing the customer experience is something some of the most successful businesses in the world obsess over. Your convenience store should be no different. By following this methodology, you’ll make customers feel obligated to spread the word to their family, friends, and neighbors around town.
5. Run Contests
Want to drum up interest in your convenience store?
Host a raffle, or run a contest on Facebook. Interestingly, this is one way to trigger a chain reaction of word-of-mouth marketing.
You don’t need to go crazy with prizes. It could be something as simple as half-off soda for a month. Or one free chocolate bar a day for a week.
When you have a little bit of fun with your customers and do things like run contests, it creates a welcoming atmosphere at your store.
6. Get Involved in the Community
Convenience stores can be something of a hub for an assortment of neighborhoods and local businesses. If you’re running your establishment the right way, you should be something of a pillar to the community.
Go out of your way to embrace that image.
Be present during community events and make yourself known. You’re already a local staple, given your location and everybody’s reliance on convenience stores. So, you’ll stand out even more when you volunteer during a nearby music festival, for instance.
As a small local business, establishing goodwill amongst a town’s citizens is so crucial to your success and makes people get behind you.
7. Love What You Do
Service with a smile might be cliché. But being a convenience store owner who loves their job and displays their excellent attitude to customers will attract repeat business.
People enjoy spending and helping small business owners who bring them welcoming energy. So, go out of your way to be infectious with your positive energy.
After all, you’re living the dream and running your own store.
It’s a direct reflection of who you are as a person. Take pride in the fantastic products and services you provide, and it’ll pay dividends in the long run with further foot traffic.
