Convenience stores are all about convenience — hence the reason why they continuously see foot traffic. Even during the throes of the pandemic, at least 66% of all convenience stores across America saw high, satisfactory sales. It is difficult to maintain Convenience Store’s Success.
However, it’s not enough to simply set up shop and wait for people to stop in for a coffee or snacks on the way to their destination. You have to do a bit more, and that more ranges from ensuring that you’re working with the right convenience store food distributors. Also, ensure that your store offers a pleasant and positive experience for everyone that steps inside. Here are a few tips on how it’s done:
Make Your Offering the Right Items
The primary reason why shoppers stop at convenience stores is so they can grab what they need quickly and move on. What’s more, when shoppers know they can get what they need from your store, they’ll stop in more frequently.
Therefore, it’s not only essential to offer a healthy variety of products that cater to shoppers’ needs but it’s also critical that you remain fully stocked with those high-demand items to keep them coming back. If you aren’t sure what your customers expect or need, you can start by reviewing your inventory and sales to see which items are being sought out the most.
You can also talk with your wholesale convenience store suppliers for more insight into the top items that shoppers in the area buy from convenience stores.
Offer Competitive Prices
This is possibly the oldest trick in the book, but it bears repeating: You need to offer competitive pricing to attract more customers to your convenience store. This way, they choose your store over the competition.
While you won’t be able to do this with every item in your store, it’s worth keeping an eye on your competitor’s pricing to see where you can start adjusting yours. It’s also a good idea to offer discounts and promotions from time to time to offer your customers more value for their money.
Keep Your Store Organized and Clean
While cleanliness is an obvious one, it can never be overestimated. The first impression your store gives off can make or break a shopper’s intentions of returning. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that everything is clean at all times. Make sure that the floors are swept, shelves are dusted, trash is disposed of regularly, and glass windows and doors are spotless — and don’t forget about the bathrooms!
In addition to cleanliness, make sure your store is also organized. Everything should have a designated place, including your cleaning supplies (which should be kept out of a sight). The shelving should be stocked categorically, and you should also keep an eye on your inventory to prevent a lapse in restocking items in high demand.
Keep the Checkout Process Quick and Painless
Nobody likes to wait in line, especially while someone else is deciding on their numbers. That’s why you want the checkout process to be as fast and efficient as possible.
This may mean adding more staff during peak hours. Or, you can invest in some of the latest technologies that your wholesale convenience store suppliers offer, such as self-checkout machines and vending kiosks. Whatever you decide, make sure the process is clear and easy to follow.
Excellent Customer Service is Key
One of the best ways to keep shoppers coming back is to provide the best possible customer service. You want your employees to be polite, friendly, and helpful at all times — and you’ll want to train them to handle different customer complaints and questions appropriately to prevent any negative situations.
It’s also a good idea to offer returning customers a loyalty program to reward them for their patronage as part of your customer service efforts. Be sure to reward employees that do a good job as well, so they know their efforts are appreciated.
Invest in an Online Ordering Platform
Online ordering is a mainstay in today’s world simply because it’s convenient. As a convenience store owner that wants to maintain growth and success, you’ll need to get with the times and offer up this essential purchasing mechanism.
When your customers can order items they need and pay online — whether it be products or a freshly made sandwich — it promotes the convenience factor. There are plenty of software options out there to suit your customers’ needs, so all you have to do is research your options and pick the right one.
Pay Attention to Your Store’s Appearance
The layout of your store is just as important as its location. Therefore, you want to maintain a professional appearance by doing the following:
- Ensuring the layout is cohesive and easy to navigate
- Regularly update your displays
- Use attractive signage
- Choose good lighting
- Fix any potholes or other damages outside the store
- Keep the parking spot paint fresh
By maintaining your store’s appearance, it’ll be more appealing to returning customers and passersby. Maintaining the success of your convenience store is going to take some time and effort, as well as some trial and error. However, Atlantic Dominion Distributors can help you along the way. Whether you’ve been searching for a “convenience store wholesale distributor near me” or already know who we are and want to learn more, just get in touch with us.
We can help keep your shelves stocked and much more. Call us today.
