Though we often think of brick-and-mortar stores when we think of retail businesses, the truth is that it’s possible to reach customers wherever they are. Whether you sell clothes or candles, bicycles or barbecue sauce, you can adapt to the current situation.
We’ve compiled tips as well as industry resources to help you run a retail business right now.
Communicate with your customers
Keeping your customers informed is critical to the health of your retail business now and in the future. Here are a few ways to do that:
Update your hours
Set your new operating hours for each of your retail business locations to let customers know when you have reduced hours or are closed. You can update your location hours through Square.
Post updates on your website
If you’re changing the way your retail business operates, make sure you post that information on your website, your social profiles, and your review site profiles.
Send emails and post on social media
Communication is key when you run a retail business. Keep your customers up to date to let them know how they can support your business, what your new hours are, or if you’re closing for a period of time. Communicate that information on your social channels, through email, or wherever else your customers engage with you.
Adapt your offering
You need to continue to create revenue as you run a retail business, despite all of the changes happening. Here are a few ways you can do that:
Sell digital gift cards
If you’re unsure how to increase sales in retail during this time, online gift cards can help increase cash flow while your retail business is closed. With Square, you can quickly set up an online ordering page for digital gift cards and then market your business gift cards to your loyal customers who want to show their support.
Allow customers to shop by appointment
A big part of how to run a retail business right now is ensuring that you don’t have too many people in your store at once. A solution to this is to start doing virtual consultations — have customers book appointments for pickup or to shop using appointment scheduling software.
Evaluate your products
New restrictions are changing the way that people live and what they buy. Dig into the latest trends or survey your loyal customers to determine what their needs are right now and update your retail business plan if necessary. If some of your products meet those needs, make sure to promote those products more. If your products don’t meet those needs, evaluate if it makes sense to develop a product that does.
Try contactless selling for your retail business
Most parts of the country have been enforcing social distancing as well as encouraging the use of apps like COVIDSafe. Here are a few ways you can comply with Australian retail business regulations while you continue to run a retail business:
Sell your products online
Connect with your customers in a new way with a website that showcases your products online. You can add all your inventory or choose to highlight products that are particularly relevant right now — you might even consider free shipping to incentivise purchases. Be sure to promote your new online retail business via email and social media to your loyal customers. Learn how to start selling online.
Accept pickup or delivery orders
There are ways to deliver products from your retail business other than shipping by mail. You might consider a new way to run a retail business by offering customers an in-store pickup, curbside pickup or local delivery options when ordering online, on the phone, or through email.
Sell on social media
Not only should you be communicating with your regular customers on social media when you run a retail business, but you should be selling to them (and to new customers) on the platform. You can link your online retail business to your Instagram so your followers can shop with you more easily and allow you to amplify your small business on Instagram.
Limit in-person contact
If you are selling in person at your retail business, you’ll want to make sure that you’re limiting contact as much as possible. Consider using a contactless credit card reader and skipping the receipt screen during checkout. Or try a remote payment option like invoices.
Take payments from your computer
If you prefer, you can take an order over the phone via a virtual terminal or from an email, and key in card payment details. You can create and manage orders with Square for Retail or your other point of sale for small retail business.
Other retail business resources
InsiderRetail Australia: The organisation is highlighting free and discounted resources to assist retailers on how to run a retail business during COVID-19.
Australian Retailers Association: A trade association providing resources like reopening guides, retail business tips, and printable COVID-19 signage for retailers to utilise.
Safe Work Australia: A government body with a special retail section with guidelines and tips on how retail businesses should operate during COVID-19 conditions.
Business.gov.au: Coronavirus support and information for retail business owners provided by the Australian government.
National Retail Association: A not-for-profit organisation that protects and supports the interests of retailers, including free COVID-19 resources.
Discuss how to run a retail business and adapting and shifting your practices now and in the future in our Seller Community.