subject: Sometimes the Simplest Actions are the Fastest to Build Dollar Store Sales [print this page] Sometimes the Simplest Actions are the Fastest to Build Dollar Store Sales
If you are owning and operating a dollar store you must constantly grow your dollar store sales. Even though this seems so simple and straightforward, many of those owning and operating a dollar store overlook just how important sales growth is to the very survival of their store. Rather than looking for simple, low-cost and effective strategies to bring more and more shoppers into their store they focus their efforts on trying to maintaining current sales levels. Given the tight margins and ever-growing costs, allowing sales to remain flat will not lead to long-term success. Sales must continuously grow. Sure costs must also be reigned in, but that is for a different article. In this article I examine simple actions that help build sales for your business.
* Focus on new customers.
Those owning and operating a dollar store you must continually bring first-time shoppers into their stores. It is wise to expect first-time shoppers to make smaller purchases. The first visit is to scope out your store. This is a time to see exactly what you have to offer. Yet if you provide a great shopping experience and have the right products on display these shoppers will return. And when they return watch your dollar store sales grow as they spend much more.
* Make it easy to see your store exists.
It is essential for those owning and operating a dollar store to make their store visible to all passers-by. Many passers-by are prospective shoppers who have never taken the time to come in. Don't just depend on a great location. Add signs, banners and flags to standout. It might just be a banner waving in the wind that attracts the attention of someone who has walked by many times before. They stop and come in. One caution: check zoning and lease requirements before adding those extra signs.
* Don't blow your one chance to impress first time visitors.
You must create a warm, inviting store. It must welcome shoppers as they enter. It must be a place they want to spend their time. Once you've created that environment maintain it by routinely picking up, cleaning and replenishing displays. When the look and feel of your store is right shoppers will stay longer, and they will find more merchandise they must buy. So of course your dollar store sales and profits climb as well.
* Add a sign carrier to your staff.
This is such a simple action. Yet the results can be impressive. An eye-catching banner sign and an active carrier placed at a busy intersection close to your store will bring shoppers into your store almost instantly. Assign this duty to current staff members during slow periods. If that isn't possible add a sign carrier to work a few hours per week during busy traffic periods. Don't forget the caution: check zoning and lease requirements before posting a sign carrier on the nearest corner to your store.
* Place inexpensive ads in your community newspaper.
Appeal to local residents by adding small ads in your local newspaper. Simply sharing the great assortment of products in your store will be enough. Advertise merchandise for upcoming events, holidays and seasons of the year.
Those owning and operating a dollar store find that it is important to focus on building new shopper traffic for their stores. In this article I shared a few of the many simple, low-cost options you have for doing just that. Don't stop with this list. Be on the lookout for new and different ways to get your store out in front of the local community. Let them know about the dollar store merchandise you carry, your hours of operation and details about your location. Then watch as traffic and dollar store sales grow.
To your success when owning and operating a dollar store!
