Retail relocation: tips for a successful transition
Retail owners might decide on a business relocation for a number of reasons.
● To achieve high street success, they might move to a more prominent location.
● They might want larger premises to accommodate more stock and increase sales.
● They might relocate to attract a new consumer base.
They were just a few examples as to why a retail relocation might be considered. There will be others. And should you be a retail owner yourself, you will have your own ideas as to why a relocation might be important for your business. You might also be thinking of the transition already. If so, you should keep the following tips in mind.
#1: Keep your customers informed about the upcoming move
With an existing customer base, the last thing you want is to lose their custom. You need to let them know about your plans, with an idea of how long your current store will be open, and when your new store will make its unveiling.
You can let your customers know through flyers you hand out in your store, or by posting up signs around your business premises. You might also have signs attached to your new store, with the time and date of your grand opening.
Assuming your business has an online presence, you should also use your website, post to social media, and send out emails to inform your customers of the intended move. Be sure to ask for their help in marketing your new premises too, perhaps by offering them a discount or another kind of reward if they can promote your business for you.
#2: Have a clearout sale
Unless you plan to take every item you sell to your new store with you, it makes sense to have a clearout sale. Not only is this important on a practical level - you will have less to carry with you to your new premises - but it's also a good marketing ploy, as a sale is always a good way to attract attention to your business. Again, post news of your sale on and offline, and be sure to increase your sales prices towards the end of your clearance sale if you need to attract more customers.
#3: Hire the right removal service
It's a no-brainer to suggest that a removal service will be needed to help you with your relocation. However, some are better than others, so be sure to do your research. And when looking around, narrow your search to those removal firms who specialise in commercial as well as residential moves, as they will have the experience needed to help you with your move.
You might also want to consider a removal firm that offers a storage facility, as this will be especially useful if there is a gap between the closedown of your old premises and the opening of the new.
Check out https://www.mybekins.com/office/los-angeles-san-fernando-valley-movers/ as one excellent example of the type of service you need to consider.
#4: Update your address online
Finally, remember to update any page where your business is marketed online. Making the change to your website is a start, but remember your social media pages too, as well as any business listing site that your store is listed on. This way, you won't cause confusion for any customer who has somehow missed out on your relocation news, and you won't miss out on any new customers who are looking for a store such as yours.
Thanks for reading, and if you are moving soon, we wish you every success with the transition.