Brick and Mortar Franchises Focusing on Store Experience While Balancing Online Sales
Brick and Mortar Franchises Focusing on Store Experience While Balancing Online Sales
As a business owner, you have likely tried to grow your business in a number of ways. It’s not always easy to understand what will work. There are so many marketing tricks and strategies nowadays, but each business is different. What works for one may not work for the other.
Sticking to one thing is not as successful as trying several different approaches. This is especially true for smaller, less popular franchises. Some franchises in Florida are pulling a balancing act as they focus on the in-store experience while balancing online sales as well.
Peterbrooke Chocolatier, Big Frog Custom T-Shirts, and Wild Birds Unlimited are just a couple retailers going this route. Customers receive a unique in-store experience, while the companies double down on the e-commerce side of things. While operating brick and mortar stores can be expensive, these companies rely on the in-person experience to earn revenue, so it’s very much a necessity.
At Peterbrooke Chocolatier, you’ll see an assortment of handmade delicacies on display as well as a large wheel spinning decadent dark chocolate. It’s an experience that cannot be duplicated online. At Big Frog Custom T-Shirts and Wild Birds Unlimited, customers receive a different kind of in-store experience. Walls and shelves are stacked with merchandise. Staff at both retailers are eager to guide customers through the entire sales process.
But they can’t ignore the online experience. Companies are investing in websites that can better track in-store inventory in real time. They are also rolling out digital marketing strategies to promote their services and expertise.
The Vitamin Shoppe is going the same route, although it focuses on the in-store experience. The company began franchising in 2021 and remains committed to a brick-and-mortar model, even though it has the capability to move almost all of its vitamin sales online. The store is evolving its retail strategy to reach customers in various ways, whether that’s in-store, curbside, online, on their mobile app, via same-day delivery with Instacart or DoorDash, or via phone with customer support. Customers can also schedule a one-on-one virtual nutritionist appointment.
The Vitamin Shoppe is improving its in-store experience by offering personalized health advice.
Store associates are health enthusiasts who have a lot of knowledge about the products, giving the store a huge competitive advantage in the retail marketplace. Plus, the brick and mortar stores offer opportunities for marketing and customer engagement events.
Learn More About Franchises
Since COVID, businesses have been forced to be agile and able to pivot as necessary. This means owners need to be flexible in how they run their businesses, so in-person and online sales are often necessary.
Want to grow your franchise? Orlando franchise lawyer B.F. Godfrey from Godfrey Legal can help. Since the 1990s, I have maintained membership in the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising. I understand franchise law and can help you grow your business. Call (407) 890-0023 or fill out the online form to schedule a consultation.
Source:
franchisetimes.com/franchise_operations/retail/balancing-act-as-retail-franchises-emphasize-store-experience-digital-sales/article_aaecba9a-00ea-11ef-8ee0-3365fa2ef1fd.html
