Amazon is the elephant squatting in the corner of every brick and mortar retailer’s store. Sure, it’s a big, iconic online retailer. But confronting that Amazon elephant is not as tough as you think. Here are 8 practical ways brick and mortar stores can compete with Amazon and grab their market share.
1. Online visibility.
This is a big one. When consumers search products online, Amazon is always going to come up at the top of the results. But you can combat that effect with effective SEO (search engine optimization) that pushes you up in the search engine rankings. Select popular products and ensure that product descriptions include keywords which mirror the ones Amazon is using.
2. Exceptional service.
Personalized, warm service is something Amazon can’t give its customers. You can, though. Training your staff to be at their very best for everyone who comes in is a retailer’s most pressing need. Your sales staff is your edge.
3. Customer experience.
Make a visit to your store a reward for your customers. Create an environment that’s branded, unique and pleasant, ensuring that customers arrive to discover an immersive experience that makes the trip worth it.
4. Emphasize convenience.
Shoppers conducting online searches for local products need to see that it’s convenient to shop at your location. Emphasize features like abundant street parking, and an easy to find outlet. Amazon isn’t all that convenient if you’re looking for something you need immediately.
5. Leverage your online presence.
If you’re not set up to do e-commerce (which is not compulsory in terms of competition), your online presence should be leveraged to drive business to your store. Everything you can do to enhance that presence and make people want to visit you is well worth your time. That means keeping your site active and attractive.
6. In-store events.
A sub-set of customer experience, in-store events provide added value for your shoppers. Demonstrations, fashion shows and tutorials about products you know your customers love, when held regularly, create buzz and generate interest. Use social media to keep your shoppers up to date and in the know.
7. Live presence.
A static website which doesn’t cover all your in-store product isn’t good enough anymore. To compete with Amazon, you need to keep your website and social media channels fresh. Your online catalogue should be up to the minute and include announcements and descriptions of new products. It’s worth your time to invest in this.
8. Get mobile.
The rise of the mobile device means that your website needs to be compatible for these users. When they log on, they should see a website adapted to their needs. To remain competitive and to pull in potential customers using mobile devices, it’s imperative that your online presence conforms to the needs of this market. Hire someone to get it done and reap enormous benefits.
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