Independent retail convenience stores face many challenges when up against larger competitors. How these challenges are approached could mean the difference between an amazing success and a tragic failure. Retailers need to be both aggressive and smart. One answer is to compete on customer experience instead of price.
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Excel at customer service
Larger convenience store chains often have a greater turnover of staffing. Having consistent friendly faces, knowledgeable staff that know customers by name and their buying habits provide an intimate buying experience that keeps customers coming back. When you know your peak customer traffic times you can staff accordingly to deliver excellent service with low wait times, well-stocked foodservice areas and clean counters and bathrooms.
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Engage with the community
Be a positive presence in your community. Donate excess food to local food banks, host fundraisers or organize a team volunteer project with your employees.
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Get online
Increase visits by connecting to local fans on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube. Engage c-store consumers with coupons, sales, and updates on new products or help locating the nearest store.
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Give c-store customers an incentive to buy
Reward regular patrons with promotions, like mix-and-match or buy one get one deals through apps and social media.
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Stock up on exclusive items
You’re small and flexible. Adapt quickly to product changes and offer exclusive new high-end items to your retail mix focusing on your customer’s interests. Use ADD eStore technology to stay on top of sales to see what’s popular and be responsive to customer demand.
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Foodservice frenzy
Consumer demand for c-store foodservice continues to grow. Offer a unique selection of healthy, locally produced fresh foodservice and freshly prepared, packaged to-go food. Consider a salad bar, baked goods, soups, sandwiches or other specialty items. Depending on your customers and space, provide an eating area. Learn how you can maximize your foodservice margins at our free webinar, What’s Eating Into Your Foodservice Margin? Click here to register
Being in touch with what local customers want, ensuring that those items are available for the right price, and offering excellent customer service distinguishes independent retailers and sets them up to be the customers first choice.
The convenience store competition is fierce. With the ability to provide c-stores with agility through technology, ADD Systems continues to enhance and offer ADD eStore, an enterprise software application for home office and back office c-store operations. To learn more, contact us at 800-922-0972 or email sales@addsys.com.
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