Social Retail in Small Towns: Expansion of Store Loyalty Programs
Aileen Padua
The term social retail is the concept of rewarding customers for sharing their favorite products and experiences. Here is why we think locally-based boutique businesses should apply social retail to their loyalty business models.
A Look at Local Boutique Loyalty Programs
Promoting social retail in small towns benefits local boutique owners by increasing customer loyalty. What kind of business owner doesn’t want to see the reactions and feedback of their customers, especially in this age of digital media?
Madewell, a company that promotes ethical clothing production, incorporates great customer service with their social retail loyalty program. Every promotion comes with exclusive discounts, hence why Madewell’s loyalty program has come so far.
So why does this matter? Customers love the idea of social retail loyalty programs because they feel like they are getting the most value out of their purchase. Retailers implement loyalty programs as a segue to promote their business and build retention among long-time customers.
Give Your Store's Loyalty Program A Local Feel
Online fashion business owners, as well as brick and mortar apparel stores, can approach social retailing in a couple of ways:
- For one, show owners can give off a sense of community with localized apparel and decorations and “cute and welcoming” retail displays as you walk in.
- Boutique owners can focus in-store displays on how your town or community benefits your business or vice versa.
Small Town Small Business Marketing
Small town fashion boutiques can establish a mighty presence by selling authentic products and earning positive customer feedback. That's why it's important to expand brand awareness for your business. You can do this by creating partnerships to cross-promote and support other local businesses in exchange for like-treatment, or even by revamping the shopping experience in your store by incorporating high-tech, experiential retail into your boutique.
Social Media Advertising for Local Boutiques
Remember those times when it used to be just your family, friends, and hairdresser who knew the hottest businesses in town? Well, consider advertising on social media to promote social retail for your business. Advertising with digital recommendations on social media will help boost revenue to your business, particularly when used to supplement an already healthy organic social media plan.
Whether it’s an ad from Facebook or Instagram, it’s smart to give your boutique a shout out on social media. After all, there are about 3.2 billion people who use the Internet.
What do you think about the increase of social retail moving locally? Give us your comments down below!
Aileen studies at California State University with a major in Advertising and a minor in Fashion Merchandising. She is a marketing intern for MakersValley.
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