9 Ways to Boost Footfall for your Retail Business

Shopping habits have undergone a drastic transformation over the last two decades, resulting in growing concerns among retailers that have a physical presence.

As more consumers switch to shopping online, shop owners have struggled to generate enough sales to stay open, with brick-and-mortar stores gradually disappearing from towns and cities across the UK.

The closure of all non-essential shops under Covid-19 restrictions was another blow to the British high street, and many never returned due to the cost of living crisis we're now under. While retail footfall has increased gradually since the covid years, figures are still 30% lower than pre-pandemic levels as customers continue to avoid crowded spaces.

Retail parks are faring better as they offer larger stores, quieter locations, and customer parking, but high streets and shopping malls remain challenging locations for shop owners. Wherever you're based, getting customers to shop with you over rival stores can be difficult. And with fewer people visiting their local high street, the competition is fierce.

However, there are signs that support for local shops has grown over the last year, and it's hoped this will inspire shoppers to continue to return. To help the independent retail community during this time, we've put together ten tips to increase shop visits and boost your takings.

1. Create a welcoming shopfront

To persuade passing shoppers to step inside your store, it’s important that your brand makes a good first impression. This means creating a shopfront that is uncluttered, welcoming, and attractive. You may also want to spend some extra time on your visual merchandising.

Creating seasonal window displays that mark these occasions, whether it’s Summer holidays, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, or Christmas, featuring your most in-demand items can increase your footfall throughout the year.

2. Try product demos and deals

It’s also a great idea to take your business out into the streets and engage with potential customers. There are many ways to encourage shop visits through street marketing, such as product demonstrations, promotional flyers, free samples, and discount vouchers, which can be highly effective for boosting footfall.

While online marketing has its advantages, creating face-to-face interactions with your target market can inspire an emotional connection and sense of consumer trust that’s tricky to recreate digitally.

3. Provide a loyalty scheme

To boost your brand and build repeat business, why not start a customer loyalty scheme? It's a great tool for bringing people back time and again.

Whether you're a local supermarket or an independent bookshop, giving your customers rewards in return for their repeat custom is a powerful customer engagement method. Not only does the customer feel valued, but they also have an incentive to visit regularly, which is crucial for any business.

4. Use local marketing

It’s vital to market your shop to the local community using tactics like direct mail, leaflets, and magazine ads. You could also buy a street sign to place in a high-footfall area, which displays clear directions to your shop and your special offers.

There's also the option of sponsoring local events such as charity runs, community fairs, or business breakfasts. Providing you execute some market research beforehand, you could find the perfect opportunity to get your brand in front of the right people.

5. Leverage new technology

Creating a seamless omnichannel experience was a high priority for retailers even before the pandemic. This means that customers can engage with your brand through different channels, from your website to your brick-and-mortar store, without any inconvenience or disruption.

For example, eCommerce technologies that let customers order online and pick up in-store, or check for product availability before visiting your shop, provide easy, flexible shopping options that drive traffic to your physical store.

Technology can also manage customer expectations. You may consider implementing a smart queuing system that allows customers to queue virtually and avoid overcrowding. This will prevent people from becoming bored or frustrated by long lines, and increase their willingness to wait.

6. Invest in CRM

A customer relationship management (CRM) system is crucial to understanding your target audience, delivering personalized marketing, and fulfilling consumer demand.

By gathering data on your customers you can spot where you’re not servicing them and adjust your offering. This is vital to retaining your existing customers and building a reputation among new ones.

Although retailers tend to use online surveys via their website or emails, it’s possible to collect this information in person with prompt cards at your checkout, or by training your staff to ask for feedback.

7. Diversify your in-store offering

Whilst your primary focus should be selling your products and services, sometimes those small touches can elevate the overall shopping experience and keep your customers coming back for more.

We're not necessarily encouraging you to build an entire cafe within your premises, but some bricks and mortar shops have started serving finger food and the odd beverage here and there to make their customers feel welcome and relaxed as they peruse the goods on offer.

8. Encourage sharing on customer socials

According to research from Hubspot, 71% of consumers are more likely to make a purchase based on a social media reference. Why not create advocates for your brand or services by encouraging your customers to share their retail experience across their social media accounts?

A simple way of doing this could be by adding branded hashtags to changing room mirrors or by having a highly decorated, 'Instagrammable' backdrop within your premises.

9. Relocate

If you’re currently situated in an area that lacks investment, struggles to attract tourists, has a high proportion of vacant lots, or charges expensive business rates, moving to new premises could dramatically boost your customer visits and your shop sales in the long term.