By rbhamil on Sep 30, 2010 in Customer Service, Management | 0 Comments
In this article I present 4 steps resulting in customers coming back time after time. Each of these steps has a place in your overall program to generate new customers and to keep those you have coming back for more.
By rbhamil on Sep 18, 2010 in Customer Service | 0 Comments
Once shoppers begin to see the little extras associated with customer service whenever they come to your business, you will appreciate exactly how these actions place you ahead of the pack. In this article I present a number of small actions that will impress your shoppers.
By rbhamil on Aug 9, 2010 in Customer Service | 0 Comments
Budget management starts with knowing all the costs associated with your business. Even more important is to know the heavy hitters; those items that will make the biggest impact on your bank account. In this article I present 3 of the biggest costs most store owners face.
By rbhamil on May 8, 2010 in Customer Service | 0 Comments
You cannot afford to have shoppers pull up in front of your store and then drive off because the store looked closed and they didn’t want to walk to the door to verify. Read on as I provide 6 ways to make it easy for your shoppers to know whether your store is open or closed.
By rbhamil on May 8, 2009 in Customer Service | 0 Comments
If you are in the process of opening a dollar store probably the furthest thing from your mind is those steps that must be taken to insure a successful future. You are in the midst of dealing with a million separate problems and issues that have the potential of stopping you from opening on time. Just as one problem is resolved another, even bigger problem appears.
By rbhamil on May 2, 2009 in Customer Service | 2 Comments
One of the challenges associated with owning and operating your own retail store is to continually stay on top of the millions of tasks you face every day. For many the feeling of being jerked around from one task to the next means things never seem to be completely done. Then, some of the very core tasks that must done, and done right, start to slip. Soon a smooth running store begins to falter. In this article we will review some of the critical basics when opening a dollar store. These are the things that must never be compromised in your store.
1) Key products must always be readily available to your customers. In today’s competitive environment shoppers are unforgiving when they come to your store for a basic item and find it is out of stick. There is little solace when your response is that the product is on order and will be coming in soon. That once loyal shopper will make a bee-line to your competitor. Know what your shoppers need and have those items in-stock at all times.
2) Staffing becomes more critical in tough economic times. While you may be totally justified in reducing payroll in tight times, don’t allow yourself to lose the most critical piece of the formula for success. Don’t allow your strong customer service oriented employees to get away! Negotiate for part-time hours until sales increase. Identify other tasks that will add value and sales and have them addressed. Continue employee training and development. Position your store for future success.
3) Location and signage. Never lose track of the quality of location you have leased. If you are on a main thoroughfare with a solid anchor business close by don’t sit back and assume all is okay. Be sure you are continually working to promote your store. Look for opportunities to add extra signage to gain extra attention. For example, if you are in a mall location and there are vacancies, is now the time to improve your location? Possibly your landlord would allow a small display and signage pointing toward your store until a new tenant is found.
If you are in a less obvious location, look for opportunities to point the way to your store. Extra signs, a sign-holder, or even flyers are all potential options. When opening a dollar store your goal is to highlight the way to your store for as many people as possible.
4) Store environment. Make sure everything is just right at all times. Keep the store well-lit and include signage to make it easy to spot pricing and merchandise. Establish a process to ensure employees walk-through and return misplaced items to their rightful locations. Don’t forget to spot sweep the floor periodically throughout the day. Don’t forget to play pleasant music that will appeal to the majority of your targeted shoppers. Make it fun to come to your store and shop.
5) Customer service must remain the cornerstone of your business. Lead your customer service philosophy by example. Make sure every shopper who enters the stores is welcomed. Stop and say ‘hello’ to shoppers whenever you are on the sales floor. Make sure to offer help locating the products they seek. Thank everyone for coming into your store. Don’t ever forget to add a friendly ‘thank you’ once sales transactions are completed.
To your dollar store business success!
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By rbhamil on May 1, 2009 in Customer Service | 0 Comments
Are you opening a dollar store? If so, one of the never-ending challenges for every business is to continually locate and then motivate new prospective customers to give your business a try. The same is true for every dollar store. No matter how well your business is performing, it is critical to continually invest time and money to retain current customers and to bring new customers into your store. In this article I present 6 sources of prospective customers when opening a dollar store.
1) Current customers. Satisfied current customers are a great source of new customer traffic for your store. While you can expect some word-of-mouth advertising to come from those who feel you have a truly outstanding store it is important to make a concerted effort to motivate existing customers to help grow your customer base. This can be easily done by providing rewards to those shoppers for bringing in new clients for your business. Often existing customers will also be happy to tell others if there are rewards or discounts to those who are referred; family and friends who come in as a result of their efforts.
2) Organizations within your community. Many local organizations are in need of donations, ideas and participation. After opening a dollar store get your store noticed by selecting one or two that interest you and becoming involved. While only a small amount of time and little investment is required, you will be recognized. Don’t forget to make meetings an opportunity to network with others.
3) Schools close to your store. One of the surest ways to become known in your community is through the schools. While there are a variety of options, the two most effective ways to gain attention and recognition may be the easiest. First is to offer school teachers a small discount on their purchases. Even 10% off of their purchases goes a long way toward helping when teachers purchase stickers, paper, pens and other supplies for their classroom. Donating to school functions and classroom parties costs little, but pays big dividends in good will as well.
4) Homeowners and renters within your local area. A well-written flyer mailed to those within your shopping area can mean more new traffic for your business. Include details about the benefits your store and products offer to these prospective buyers to motivate them to take action and actually come in. Don’t forget to provide some sort of discount or prize for those who bring their mailers with them.
5) Charities within your community. What better way to gain new customer traffic than to help others in your community. Offering small discounts or donating needed items will gain lots of attention and recognition for your store. These donations are also very much appreciated. The word will get out about your generosity.
6) Other businesses within your shopping area. Other businesses in your area are seeking new customers as well. Why not meet your neighbors and work together to gain exposure for your businesses? Meeting your neighboring businesses should start during your investigative due diligence before opening a dollar store. Introduce yourself as you examine the neighborhood and the opportunity. After opening your store, return and start building teamwork.
To your dollar store business success!
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By rbhamil on Apr 19, 2009 in Customer Service | 0 Comments
One of the challenges when opening a dollar store is to continually grow your store sales. A secret to growing sales in your store is to increase the frequency of existing customer visits. In this article I present how to get customers coming back every week when opening a dollar store.
By rbhamil on Apr 19, 2009 in Customer Service | 0 Comments
Many retailers labor for years to find just the right combination to make every shopper’s experience one they remember. If you are opening a dollar store, you face the same challenge. You must develop an environment and experience that makes every shopper’s visit to your store memorable. You must create an experience that lasts in the memory of those shoppers and brings them back time and again to shop in your store.
