subject: The Importance of Informing Your Customers [print this page] The Importance of Informing Your Customers
At Equipashop, we have noticed a recent boom in orders of information and advertising displays. Products such as Menu Holders, Snapframes, A-Boards & Leaflet Displays have been at the top of our sales so we thought we would have a look into the best ways to utilise these products to help you connect with your customers and help your business grow.
In 2009, promotion management was the number one investment priority within retail. Since then there has been a shift in tactics in the fight for customer spend, according to a survey by Martec International who were commissioned by Aldata Solutions.
In 2010 promotion management moved down to fourth place, and ninth in 2011, in terms of investment priority for the 130 companies surveyed. Instead, the surveyed companies are shifting their focus to gaining a full view of their customers buying patterns, be it in store, online or via catalogue. Understanding your customers buying habits will allow you to better position yourself and you products to what your customers want and expect.
At the recent Retail London Conference, Sir Terry Leahy the former CEO of Tesco spoke of how retailers need to tap into the demand for convenience and also make it easier and more fulfilling for customers to use their products.' In today's retail market, customers are bombarded with choice, often making purchases complex and confusing. He pointed out that simplicity is key and "go beyond the product and work out what is useful to consumers. Make your products quick and satisfying to use."
When promoting your products, showing your customers how owning it will help them, or make them feel better about themselves will attract and hold their attention . Giving customers a personal connection or realisation about your product is going to increase their justification of purchase'.
Sir Terry also mentioned that consumers are currently hugely motivated to look and feel good. Business that are promoting healthy lifestyles and products that make people feel better about themselves will find themselves more than likely in demand.
For the small business, finding time to monitor how your customers are buying and what they are expecting when walking into your store isn't going to be easy. However, thinking beyond what your product is and using our A-Boards and Snapframes to show customers what your product can give to them will prove a much more effective and lasting promotional solution for your business.
