All clothing retailers will experience a downshift in sales at one point or another. The bad news is, it may not always be easy to predict. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ensure your business has plenty of happy customers to keep sales skyrocketing. When sales slump, here are seven essential tips for clothing retailers to get you back in the game.
- Develop A Social Media Presence
In this new digital age, clothing retailers must have a well developed social media presence in order to keep pace. Social media platforms that could be most beneficial to a clothing retailer are Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. Facebook allows users to create separate pages for their business. This would allow clothing retailers to connect with a wider audience, as well as purchase strategic ads to show store offers that would pop up on their timeline. Social media managers are up for hire and can help businesses of all sizes develop and keep a dedicated social media presence that will help draw in customers.
- Become Involved In The Local Community
Becoming more involved in local happenings can be a great way for clothing retailers to land on the community’s radar. This could be anything from hosting a fun-run to having a themed shopping night. Stay up to date on events that are happening in your local area and curate your marketing strategy accordingly. The local towns may be hosting events that are looking for vendors to make the event more appealing to the public. Reach out to these event leaders as well as your local newspaper and attend any marketing events that pop up.
- Design The Store For Sales
The inside of your store should be aesthetically pleasing and inviting to customers. Have a vision of what you want your store’s energy to be and then make that become a reality by using all the senses. Display the products in a way that allows cross-merchandising, as well as adjust any lighting features. Music can also be used to enhance the atmosphere.
- Consider An Online Storefront
If you are noticing an abundance of traction, especially over social media, it may be time to allow customers to shop online. This can be great for customers who can’t shop during store hours or who live further away. Now, your clothing will be available to them at the touch of a button, which could significantly drive up sales. Platforms such as Shopify and BigCommerce can help you get started and are the best for small businesses.
- Connect With Your Customer
Having top-notch customer service is one of the biggest key factors in driving up your sales. Your customer has needs and wants and, as a business, you have to fulfill those with your clothing. Be social and interact with your customers. Give your employees clear guidelines when it comes to handling customer complaints and how to achieve maximum customer service. Create incentives for your customers, such as percentages off on select days. Some stores also utilize a rewards system, offering customers deals and coupons for signing up for their mailing list.
- Keep A Close Eye On Trends
If you are in the fashion industry, you know that trends are ever-changing. It can be hard to keep up with what has the latest buzz and all the fashionable brands for both men and women. But, if you want sales to potentially skyrocket, you have to stay on top of those trends. Do your research and use multiple avenues to scout for the latest trends. Trends can sometimes be hit or miss with customers. Study your audience and act accordingly.
- Re-examine Your Pricing Strategy
Even if the piece is on trend, it may not be within your budget and that’s okay. Always consider your budget and pricing strategy when deciding what to buy. You will want to make sure that you will have the goods you purchase priced high enough so you can make a profit, but you also want to make sure that it lines up well with the market. Make your pricing strategy competitive, but yet still able to pull in a profit. Purchasing clothing from a wholesale distributor can help keep costs down. Keep in mind your customer base when deciding on a pricing strategy.
