How High Street Businesses Can Boost Footfall and Drive More Customers Through the Door

Create a Unique In-Store Experience

In-store experiences can be the key differentiator between your high street shop and online retailers. Customers are looking for more than just products, they want to engage with your brand in an immersive way.

Ideas for in-store experiences:

• Host workshops or demonstrations: If you run a kitchenware store, for example, you could host a cooking demo. Similarly, beauty retailers can offer makeup tutorials or skincare consultations.

• Offer product sampling: Let your customers try before they buy. This is especially useful for businesses like cafés, bakeries, or beauty products.

• Incorporate entertainment or live music: A boutique or café could feature live music events, creating an enjoyable atmosphere that encourages people to visit.
  

By offering an experience they can’t find online, you give customers a reason to come through the doors.

Leverage Window Displays

Your storefront is the first thing passersby will see, so making it visually engaging can make a significant difference in foot traffic. Eye-catching window displays can stop people in their tracks and lure them inside.

What makes a great window display?

• Seasonal themes: Update your displays with creative seasonal designs, holiday themes, or trending styles.

• Storytelling: Create a mini-story that sparks curiosity, leading potential customers to want to discover more inside.

• Bold signage and lighting: Well-lit displays with bold signage or calls to action, such as "Sale Today" or "Exclusive Offers Inside," can entice curious onlookers.
  

A great window display will grab attention, showcase your best products, and make customers feel compelled to visit your shop.

Offer Exclusive In-Store Discounts or Promotions

Consumers love a good deal, and promoting in-store-only discounts can be a great motivator to increase footfall.

Ideas for exclusive offers:

• Flash sales: Promote limited-time offers that are only available in-store. Make the urgency clear by advertising the end date.

• Loyalty programs: Offer in-store rewards to returning customers. This could include discounts, free products, or early access to sales.

• Bundle offers: Encourage more spending by bundling popular products together at a special price.
  

Ensure that your promotions are prominently displayed in your windows and on social media so customers are aware of the exclusive in-store deals.

Partner with Other Local Businesses

Collaborating with neighboring businesses can be a win-win situation. By pooling resources, you can create joint events or cross-promotions that drive traffic to each other's stores.

How to collaborate with local businesses:

• Joint events: Host a themed event or festival with local businesses. For example, a fashion boutique could partner with a hair salon for a "Style & Beauty" event.

• Cross-promotions: Offer customers a discount when they shop at partnering stores. For example, "Show your receipt from Café X and get 10% off at Store Y."

• Pop-up shops: Allow other local businesses to set up pop-up stands in your store, bringing their customers into your space and vice versa.
  

Collaborations help create a sense of community and can introduce your business to new customers.

Host Community Events

People love to support businesses that give back to the community. Hosting local events not only increases your visibility but also fosters strong relationships with potential customers.

Types of community events to consider:

• Charity drives: Partner with local charities to host fundraising events in-store or offer a percentage of sales to a good cause.

• Family-friendly activities: Organize events that cater to families, like crafting workshops for kids, pet adoption days, or family movie nights.

• Neighbourhood cleanups or beautification efforts: Work with the community to improve the local area, and as a result, earn goodwill and brand loyalty.
  

By participating in or hosting community events, your business becomes more than just a store—it becomes a vital part of the neighbourhood.

Optimise for Foot Traffic with Strategic Location Choices

While this might be a long-term solution, choosing a high-traffic location or positioning your store in strategic areas can pay off in spades.

Here are some ways to optimise your location:

• Set up near complementary businesses: If you run a fitness gear store, being near a gym or health food shop can increase your foot traffic as you’re likely to attract similar customers.

• Ensure easy accessibility: Make sure there’s ample parking nearby or public transportation access, as well as clear signage to guide potential customers.

• Consider pop-up locations: If moving to a permanent high-traffic area isn't feasible, consider setting up a temporary pop-up shop at key locations during peak seasons or special events.
  

Location plays a crucial role in increasing foot traffic, so it’s essential to think strategically about where and how you position your store.

Engage with Your Audience Through Social Media and Local Listings

In today’s digital age, even brick-and-mortar businesses can benefit from a strong online presence. Use social media platforms and online listings to spread the word about your store and events.

How to use social media effectively:

• Promote in-store events and offers: Post regularly about any upcoming events, exclusive discounts, or new products.

• Engage with local hashtags: Use local or location-specific hashtags so people in your area can discover your business.

• Encourage user-generated content: Ask your customers to post photos or reviews of their in-store experience and offer a small incentive, like entry into a giveaway.

• Keep your Google Business listing updated: Ensure that your business hours, address, and contact details are correct. Positive reviews on local listings can also encourage potential customers to visit.
  

A good online presence can complement your in-store efforts, making sure customers are aware of everything you have to offer.

Bonus Tip: Use Powerful Digital Marketing to Enhance Your Reach

While traditional methods can increase footfall, combining them with a strong digital marketing strategy can amplify your results. Using a well-crafted Local Social Media Marketing Plan will not only help you engage with your local audience but also extend your reach to new customers.

With Powerful Digital Marketing, you can:

• Run geo-targeted ads to attract customers within your area.

• Optimise your SEO to appear in local searches when people are looking for products or services like yours.

• Create engaging social media campaigns to promote special events or seasonal sales to a local audience only that means people who can come directly to your business.
  

Digital marketing allows you to consistently engage your audience, keep them informed about your in-store activities, and motivate them to step inside your high street business.

In conclusion, a combination of experiential in-store tactics, strong community engagement, and strategic online marketing can significantly increase footfall to your high street business. By constantly adapting to customer needs and trends, you can keep your shop busy, vibrant, and thriving year-round.