How to Attract More Patrons to Your Store

Posted on by Marms

As consumers adapt to the ever-changing environment of commercial business, organisations are being forced to come up with new and innovative ways to attract patrons to their stores. Online shopping and market saturation have contributed to the highly competitive nature of the retail industry, but there are ways a store can avoid getting lost in the crowd. Here are some ideas to attract more patrons to your store.

Proper merchandise arrangement.
Proper merchandise arrangement.

1. Appearances Matter

Longevity represents success in the context of business, but standing the test of time can be extremely challenging. Once a retail outlet reaches a certain age, it risks being perceived by consumers as old and out-dated. With new stores constantly opening and drawing away the attention of valuable patrons, keeping your business looking modern is absolutely vital to its survival. If you feel as though your store simply can’t match the standard set by competitors, consider employing a professional retail outfitter such as TU Projects, who can provide a team of highly experienced shop fitters to build a customized store to perfectly suit the needs of your business.

2. Customer Service

Studies have shown that patrons who are greeted and engage in some form of communication with a member of staff when in a retail environment are significantly more likely to make a purchase. By valuing patrons as individuals, a business can greatly increase its appeal to the general public. The core of this idea is strongly linked with good customer service. Greeting patrons is a positive starting point, but in order for meaningful engagement to take place a conversation must occur, in which the patron is made to feel as though their unique requirements are the top priority of the business.

3. Identify Problem Areas

To attract an increased number of patrons to your store, it is crucial to identify problem areas that may be preventing the business from reaching its full potential. This could be something as simple as changing the layout of the store or clearing large amounts of obsolete stock. With such an overwhelming amount of choice available across retail markets, the attention span of patrons has grown notoriously short. If a consumer can’t navigate a store with ease, they are sure to take their business elsewhere. Ensuring your store remains clean and up-to-date should prevent patron numbers from decreasing.

4. Tell People Where you are

It sounds obvious, but how can you ever hope to increase the number of patrons entering your shop if they don’t even know where it is? By featuring a map or some basic instructions on how to find your store on the company website, your business should witness a substantial jump in foot traffic. Providing information on matters such as parking and street access can also help to attract more patrons.

Gone are the days when simply opening a business in a suitable location guaranteed patrons would come calling. These days it takes far more than just an open door; businesses have to provide patrons with motivation to step over the threshold of their premises. What aspect of a business entices you into visiting its store? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Postcards Make You Want To Travel The World

Posted on by Marms
I used to collect postcards.
I used to collect postcards.

When I was younger, I used to collect postcards.  I had a few pen pals before.  We exchanged letters thru post.  We sent souvenirs to each other like postcards or simple arts and crafts.  We even sent photographs, too. 🙂  It was a nice feeling to receive letters from my pen friends with postcards enclosed.  Because I feel like I have visited them in person just looking at the pictures and souvenirs.  Some of my pen pal stayed in touch with me for a long time, some stopped because time came when we had to face the most important priority in our lives back then-college.

Doing Business Internationally

Posted on by Marms

It used to be a long process to start a business in another country, but today it is easier than you may think. As Shahram Shirkhani will tell you, it may be more economically sound and less risky setting up an international business that starting one in your own country. There are emerging markets all over the world that are suitable for small businesses as well as large corporations. Here are some key points to consider when starting a business overseas.

• It is recommended to make sure the country you are considering allows foreign businesses to own property. It is better to avoid countries that have a history of confiscating property owned by a foreign company. There are plenty of countries that have solid property rights and welcome entrepreneurs.

• You should do some research about the debt-to-GDP ratio, the unemployment figures and consumer spending before selecting a country. If there is a growing middle class, rising incomes and low inflation, it is most likely a good prospect. If the economy is faltering, your business could falter too.

• It is best to invest in an industry in which you have some knowledge. It is not necessary to be an expert, but you shouldn’t solely depend on managers employed from your target country. However, it’s important to find managers who are expert in the field to increase your chances of success.

• You’ll need to do some market research in your chosen country and maybe have a trial run or conduct surveys to see how your product fares. It’s essential to know how much capital is required for marketing, the work habits of the country and salaries.

• If there is a language barrier between you and your chosen country, it is better to employ a bilingual person who can translate both every day issues as well as contractual issues. It is not recommended to employ a temporary translation service as these can become very expensive and not give you all the help you need.

Whether your business is small or large, it is recommended to look at the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank websites for the costs, procedures and time involved in forming a business in 183 countries. Some countries make it extremely easy such as Australia, two days, and New Zealand, one day. Other countries such as Chile and Panama have procedures that require about two weeks. You can get a business started in Hong Kong or Singapore in three days.

It may be more productive to select the right market and jurisdiction than to spend years taking business courses. In many places, the capital investment is very low and your business will be off and running.