These days, it’s not enough just to have an amazing product, you have to serve it to people in a way that makes them feel unique. Shop owners are finding themselves going above and beyond more and more in a quest to outdo each other, and competition is fierce. Here are a few tips to encourage customers to come back to your store time and time again.
Start a Loyalty Program
The first concept is one that has worked for retail for years. Loyalty programs reward customers for their repeated visits. Consider how much of a discount you would be willing to offer someone who bought 10 items from you. For most ice cream shops, the answer to that is probably buy 10 get one free, but you can figure out what is economically viable for you.
Order Quality Supplies
Customers know when the ice cream cups you’re using are cheaply made. They begin to swell with the condensation, the wax on the cups falls apart and the ice cream leaks out of the sides. It’s especially apparent on those hot summer days, when condensation from melting ice cream is at its highest level.
Use Your Space Proactively
Whether you’re situated in the food court of your local mall, or a stall at a fairground, be proactive about the potential foot traffic you can receive. Hire someone to stand outside your shop with tasting spoons. If you want to be creative with it, you can wrap little paper invitations around each one.
