Many retailers feel they’re on their own when they either begin in the industry or are growing or franchising their existing business. They often work hard at creating a well functioning and aesthetically pleasing store, increasing traffic through costly advertising and promotions and maintaining long term relationships with their customers – or at least they try to. Many retailers however, rarely stop to think that there are many more retailers similar to them in the exact-same-boat – striving to build and grow their businesses, on their own, against masses of competition.
The Secret to Finding More Customers!
As retailers, we are so busy working in the business, we rarely stop to consider all the potential mutually beneficial partnerships that can be created which can not only bring in more customers but also create lasting positive relationships in the appliance industry.Creating multiple strategic partnerships is an important element of long term success in any business. It is especially important as online sales begin to grow even more with cheaper appliances available through various online stores. As mentioned at Australia’s Retail Leaders Forum last week,
the next five years will see the most amount of change in retail compared to the last fifty years. This is being driven by both consumer behaviour and technology changes.
As we embrace this change across all retail industries in Australia, those who actively seek and form strategic partnerships will be best placed in growing with Australia’s economic growth over the next few years (albeit small at 2.5%). Whether this growth comes from foot traffic or referred sales, no one really minds, as long as they make a purchase and begin or continue the relationship with your business. The most important keys to creating strategic partnerships that can help your appliance retail business (and theirs) to thrive, come down to these three essential steps:
- Identify complementary businesses
Determine who shares the same target market as yours and whose products and services compliment yours rather than compete with yours. So, if you’re a retailer selling clothes and fashion for women, you could list cafes in the area, magazines, local publications, other retailers not in fashion, food outlets and the list goes on. So, if you’re an appliance retailer selling consumer electronics for various brands targeting the male consumer (as an example), you could partner with neighbouring retailers including cafes, food outlets, men’s fashion retailers, local business magazines, local publications and the list goes on.
- Develop a compelling reason
Once you have a big list of the businesses with the same audience with a complementary product or service, think of why would they get into business with you? So, lead with what you can give the other business. How can you benefit their business? How can you help them? What are all the great reasons why working together with you will benefit their business? Ensure it is a WIN/WIN scenario. I’ll share mine, if you share yours.
- Develop a compelling offer
What are all the physical products and services you can give in exchange for access to their list. By list, we mean access to their list of customers – getting in front of their customers, whether that be via email, phone, print or in-store. You could pay a revenue share in exchange for their promotion (affiliate), you could give free trials to your product or service, you could do a giveaway, something for free, the options are endless. So, in the case of the consumer electronics for males, two example offers could include 10% off for the local cafe patrons or free accessories when they purchase a main electronic product for the men’s fashion retailer. Or if they have an online list or newsletter, you could get in front of those potential customers by offering a giveaway or promotion or something small and free. Tips for online lists are to giveaway ‘free’ items if possible and look at options to making them infinitely scaleable like an eBook, video series, webinar or white paper). Start a relationship with your prospects and plan for long term. One positive relationship can exponentially affect your business in a positive way. Partner with as many local retailers as possible. As you begin to grow, you can begin to partner with online retailers, businesses and promoters to expand your reach even further. Remember to think of yourself as part of a team of service providers rather than you against the world. What are some of the ways you’re doing this in your retail business right now? Share in the comments below.
“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”
Helen Keller
For more information on Australia’s market-leading cloud based retail POS System, Retail Express, please drop us a line www.retailexpress.com.au/getstarted or call 1300 732 618Aaron Blackman is the CEO of Retail Express. Follow Aaron on Google+ and LinkedIn
Looking to fast track your growth with a smarter POS System? Contact the Retail Express team today on 1300 732 618.