Local Stores

By Author: Adam Nicolson
Total Articles: 475
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At the moment, local stores are struggling even more than other kinds of stores to survive. There are many reasons for this including the major factor of larger supermarkets opening in their vicinity. This competition for many small stores results in a lack of custom as customers often chose the supermarket over their local store.

Whilst people like to have the convenience of a local store they can use for emergencies and one off purchases, they are often unwilling to do their main shop in them. However, most local stores can manage to survive with the right marketing strategies. In fact, more and more local stores are finding that by sweating their assets and diversifying they are able to do more than just survive. Some local stores are even flourishing.

Ideas for local stores

As already stated the key is to diversify. By taking a look at the kind of things the local community is missing and providing that service many local stores have been able to survive. An example of this is selling a small selection of takeaway snacks and hot coffee. Whilst this tactic does not work in every location, it can in some. ...
... This tactic works on two levels customers who already visit the store tend to spend money on those snacks. Whilst other customers who would not normally shop in the store are tempted to pop in for coffee or a snack on their way to work or on a Sunday morning with their paper. While they are in the store buying coffee, they will usually pick up one of two other things as well.

If you start to think about it there are plenty of small and easy to setup changes you can make to what you currently sell or offer. In many cases, you do not need to invest a lot of extra money to attract additional business.

Advice for Local Stores

In the current economic climate you cannot afford to make too many mistakes. Therefore, it makes sense to seek advice from trade associations and trade magazines. By keeping up-to-date with new ideas and trends, you can quickly grow your business and are more likely to be successful with the first thing that you try.

The YourShopLocalwebsite advertises local stores if you are a retailer make sure you are listed there, it’s free. If you are a consumer, you can use the website to find your local store.