The high street isn’t what it was. Many shops have been forced to close their doors recently with a net total of 12 UK stores per day shutting down in 2022 in the first half of the year. This has left city centres looking somewhat empty, meaning fewer customers visiting physical stores. The main cause? The rise of e-commerce.
E-commerce was already growing rapidly, but the global pandemic propelled online shopping into everyone’s lives and changed the face of the retail industry foreseeably forever. It is estimated that there will be 60 million e-commerce users in the UK by the end of 2022, leaving the future of physical stores in doubt.
However, it seems that there is still space for a bricks and mortar store to have success. Even leading e-commerce brands such as Nike remain invested in accelerating footfall to their physical stores. If you run a high street shop or are thinking about opening one, then you’ll want to do all you can to keep living, breathing customers coming back for more. Explore the various ways in which you can increase shop footfall in the age of e-commerce.
Quality over quantity
To create a positive shopping experience for customers, make it as easy as possible for them to browse. Focus on illustrating the value of products by only having one version of each on display. This is a great way to showcase the benefits of each without overwhelming customers. It also mirrors the convenience of browsing online which is what e-commerce customers love and which may persuade them to keep stepping into your store.
Create immersive experiences
Depending on what you sell, offering a try-before-you-buy service may appeal to customers. These types of experience are impossible in the world of online shopping but are considered invaluable by consumers. Beauty stores may let customers spritz on scent, food and beverage stores can offer buffet-size samples, and sports stores may let customers shoot a few hoops or use the latest gear.
Bear in mind that changing your store into an interactive space exposes you to more risks so you may find peace of mind in shop insurance cover which can prove to be beneficial in the event of accidents or damage occurring in your store.
Get technical
The main pull of e-commerce is the search capabilities that are available due to digital technologies. You can search for products, check stock levels, and compare prices online, so we recommend offering this in-store.
This can be done by having a range of in-store tablets that allow customers to search for products. If your store stocks it, then your employees can bring the item to the customer. This will make the process quicker and more convenient which customers will appreciate. Forget next-day delivery, you can offer next-minute satisfaction!
In-store offers
Every customer loves an offer. When you make these offers ‘only available in your store’ then you’re more likely to increase footfall. This will then lead to more new customers, higher sales, and improved customer loyalty. Plus, you’ll add an air of excitement and exclusivity to your customers’ shopping experience.
It’s time to get your store back on track and get sales booming again. Make these changes and see customers return to your store time-after-time.
