July is a month-long “shop local” event called Independent Retailer Month. So celebrate summer by encouraging your customers to shop at our county’s many independent retailers. Shopping local helps create more sustainable cities, towns and communities as well as highlighting their positive social and economic impact, locally, nationally and globally!
West Center encourages all our retail partners to take advantage of this national promotion. We’ve come up with a few ideas for how to inspire more customers and sales during this first full month of open business. Remember to use the tag #indieretail in your social media promotions!
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Bonus buck: Give customers a $1 coupon for every $10 they spend in your store in July. The coupon is redeemable in August
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Happy hour: Offer red, white and blue cookies/cupcakes with refreshments to promote the “independent” touch. You could also contact an independent restaurant to partner and provide some light bites
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Badges: Create campaign buttons for your staff to wear with the message: “Proud to be independent”
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In-store event: Bring your community together by hosting an Independent Retailer Month kick-off event, in-store gathering and/or special promotion to celebrate your customers and local supporters
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Meet and greet: Invite your customers to meet brand owners/representatives to your store
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Beauty treats: Team up with an independent salon/spa in your community and offer customers some in-store pampering
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Goodie bags: Give with certain purchases or to new customers
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Community talent: Support local designers, artists and/or DJs by hosting a joint in-store activity
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Run a contest: Offer the chance for one lucky winner and friends to have a private shopping party
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Shopping crawl: Team up with neighboring independent retailers to host a shopping crawl providing a map and prizes for participants
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Drop and shop: Invite customers to donate lightly worn clothing/shoes in-store for a local cause and receive an exclusive deal in store that day
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Charity giving: Offer to make a donation of 10% of the purchase price for each customer to a local community charity
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Check-in deals: Offer every shopper that “checks in” or tags to your store on social media an exclusive promotion in store
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Online coupons: Offer exclusive promotions on your website that are redeemable in store only
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Media outreach: Proudly promote your involvement with Independent Retailer Month to your local magazines, blogs, TV and influencers to receive coverage and help attract more customers
Join West Center on August 4 for a great workshop on the The New Face of Retail: Strategies for a Changing Marketplace, led by seasoned instructor Lani Lott.
If your retail business needs help ramping up again or you need to make some changes to your operation, our business advisors are here to help. Give us a call today at 707.964.7571.
