The Retail Experience Shoppers are looking for
Research shows that spending money on experiences makes us happier than the would-be joys of materialism. Is this bad news for retail? Not necessarily.
As with any industry, retailers must innovate to survive. And with new trends on the rise, the traditional, flashy retail storefronts may not be as effective when it comes to engaging customers. What will engage them?
As this new digital age has progressed, we’ve developed new sets of psychological tendencies that lack the positive reaction to the marketing norms of the past. With that challenge came a solution. Digital retailing—the new trend that focused on prioritizing the experience over the material goods. Now stores are getting rid of clutter and customizing shopping experiences because customers should feel as if they’re experiencing the life they desire when they’re in your store. The innovation’s success is due to some founding principles like personalization and authenticity that reinforce the optimal experience customers of today desire.
So, just how does a traditional retail store embrace digital retailing?
The easiest solution—mobile marketing.
But not just any mobile marketing tool. Something optimized for personalization and real-time engagement. Text Messaging.
Invite them into your family:
Your customers should want to be a part of your brand. Give them access to the inside scoop on your company, new collections that are available, and exclusive offers only available to your text subscribers. Communicate this to them via text with a link to a microsite or even an MMS image.
Reward them for their loyalty:
They will always return the favor. Loyalty programs are a great way to make customers feel an emotional connection with your store. Simply have customers enter their number each time they make a purchase, and they’ll receive an update on where they are with their loyalty perks. Mobile sweepstakes are also a great way to get existing customer and new customers involved in your brand.
Give them a chance to talk:
Showing them you’re interested in what they have to say can go a long way. No matter the size of your company, giving customers access to a number to text in gives the illusion that they’re on the inside. It’s not just a one-sided relationship anymore thanks to digital comment cards. Customers simply text in a keyword (ex: Feedback) to a shortcode (ex: 47464), respond with their comment or concern, and you have all the data at your fingertips.
Answer their questions:
Customer service is essential when it comes to retaining customers. If not done correctly, or if done inconveniently, you’re at risk of driving them to another store. Live Chat via text is a new solution that allows your brand to communicate with customers in real-time whether they are sitting around or on the go. It’s fast-paced, and it’s simple. A customer can text in, and your rep can be there to carry out the conversation on the other side. The rep can attach pictures, videos, or even links to provide all the info needed for the customer to either understand what they’ve purchased or even drive a new sale.
If your brand is interested in activating a digital retail solution that’s optimized for personalization and engagement, consider text messaging. IRIO is a mobile marketing company that has maintained a focus on developing cutting-edge solutions around text messaging for the past 12 years due to the success it drives for its customers. To reach out, you can contact us here or you can talk right away by texting “IRIO” to 47464.