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3 Ways to Improve Your Customers’ In-Store Experience

With so many competitors in the market, you and your store need to find fresh, exciting ways to capture your customers’ attention. One of the best ways to do this is to offer an in-store experience that sets you apart from your fellow retailers. Customers should exit your store with more than just your products in hand—they should also have a clear and memorable idea of who you are and why you’re better than the rest. If you’re looking for ways to improve your customers’ in-store experience, check out these top tips.

Customer Service Is Everything

Phenomenal customer service is the key to your company’s success. Everyone who enters your store should feel like you genuinely care about their needs and desires. When you take good care of your customers, you leave them with a lasting, positive impression of your business.

Add a personal touch to all your customer interactions. Train your employees to be experts, consultants, and trusted advisors rather than simple salespeople. Of course, the quality of your customer service also depends on how you treat your employees. When your workers are satisfied with your company, they’ll help your customers feel the same way.

Create Your Atmosphere

One of the best ways to improve your customers’ in-store experience is to create an enjoyable environment they won’t soon forget. Make sure every part of your store’s interior works to create a unique, recognizable atmosphere. For example, you could use LED video walls to enhance your store’s visual displays and promote conversion rates. You should find ways to engage your customer’s other senses as well. Background music can subtly influence your customers’ emotions, making them feel more comfortable and more inclined to spend time and money in your store. You can also incorporate scents. Basic but pleasing smells such as lavender or cotton give your store a fresh, welcoming feeling.

Engage Kids of All Ages

Adults aren’t the only ones you have to interest. If your customers are going to be walking through your store with their little ones in tow, you need something to engage them. Make the experience more fun for the kids—and less stressful for the parents—with hands-on displays and demo stations that let customers interact with your products. Kids aren’t the only ones who will appreciate these—everyone has a little bit of an urge to touch the colorful button that will make noise. Lean into your customers’ natural curiosity and playful sides by creating unique ways for them to test your products.

Ways to Stay Connected with Customers During COVID-19

In the midst of COVID-19, many stores and shopping centers have been forced to temporarily shut their doors. This has left many customers at a loss, unsure of when or if their favorite businesses will be back in operation. Though you may not be able to greet your loyal customers in person at the moment, it’s still important that you continue to foster those strong connections you once had. In fact, thanks to advancements in technology, there are several different ways to stay connected with customers during COVID-19, as this guide explores.

Prioritize customer service

During these strange and unsettling times, customer service is more important than ever. Customers are eager to know when stores will be opening up again and if there are any processes in place that will allow at least some business operations to continue in the current climate. Providing your customers with exceptional customer service will help calm some of the fears they may be facing during this time. Start by establishing a reliable customer service hotline and clearly displaying the phone number on your company’s website and social media pages. You may also consider creating additional avenues for customer service help, including instant messaging or video chatting. Video chatting is extremely beneficial for companies that prioritize strong client relations. Video chatting will allow you to continue engaging in and reaping the benefits of face-to-face communication without placing yourself or your clients at additional risk.

Utilize social media

Thanks to technology, one of the best ways to stay connected with customers during COVID-19 is through social media. Many people now turn to social media as a primary source for news updates and to stay in touch with friends around the country. As such, social media is one of the most accessible ways to interact with your customers during a time when face-to-face interaction is not possible. It’s best to first update your company’s social media pages with accurate details regarding store hours or altered business processes, such as online ordering or dine-out options. Social media is also a great avenue for quickly and efficiently answering customer questions or providing important updates. Government procedures regarding COVID-19 can change almost daily, and social media is the best way to inform your customers about how such changes will impact your business.

Signs Your Company Needs New Product Packaging

The packaging of your product is equally as important as the product inside, because the packaging is really what sells your product. In fact, according to Ipsos, 72% of Americans say that the design of a product’s packaging influences their purchasing decision. So, obviously, consumers care about packaging—but how do you know if the products in your store in or near Woodfield Mall need new packaging? We’ll help you answer that question with these signs your company needs new product packaging.

If Your Packaging Doesn’t Align with Your Overall Brand

Your product’s packaging should align with the overall brand of your business, and your retail store. For example, think about the Apple store and Hot Topic in Woodfield Mall; just imagine walking into the Apple store, yet it’s dark and loud like Hot Topic. Picture this: you buy a new iPhone and the Apple store employee hands you an iPhone in a black coffin-shaped package. You would probably feel uncomfortable, right? That’s because those factors don’t align with Apple’s brand. Apple has bright, simple, and clean designs, and their packaging demonstrates that.

Your Product Looks Average-at-Best on Shelves

Think about anytime you’ve walked down the condiment aisle at any grocery store; how could you possibly choose which mustard to get when they all look the same? If your product looks mediocre on the shelf, you need to update your packaging. An average-looking product makes consumers feel unmotivated to purchase, and your product will look outdated. So, to avoid an average-looking product, consider a clean and simple design. You can’t go wrong with that kind of look; it’s one of the 2020 product packaging trends, after all.

The Cost of Packaging is Eating Away at Your Revenue

You should invest in good packaging; however, your packaging shouldn’t devour your revenue, either. If you’re comfortable with the high cost of your product’s packaging, you’ve probably fallen into the mindset of “this is what we’ve always done.” Unfortunately, that mindset can cost the company too much money over time, and even just saving a few pennies per package can add up quickly.
Given your business has a retail location in or near Woodfield, you have tons of competition, and standing out is crucial. If any of these signs your company needs new product packaging sound like they apply to your business, you’re not alone. However, you need to update your packaging sooner than later, otherwise you will fall behind in the market.

4 Tips for Moving Store Locations

No matter who you are or where you’re going, moving can be a hassle. If it comes time to relocate your small business, the process gets even more complicated. It’s important to keep your employees, customers, and products in mind throughout the entire move. Fortunately, there are several tricks that can make the experience efficient, productive, and successful for everyone involved. To help you out, here are four tips for moving store locations.

Be Proactive

One of the most common mistakes businesses make is waiting too long to move. Moving is a time-consuming process, so it’s important to find a location that suits you before you outgrow your current space. Plus, the earlier you plan, the more time you have to research new locations and negotiate prices. When you’re proactive, you can take your time and find the best deal for your business.

Set Your Budget

Budgeting is an important skill in any aspect of your business. Make sure your moving budget encompasses not only the actual price of your new location, but also any moving costs, construction fees, and any additional equipment you want for your new space. You should also consider whether you want to buy or lease your new location. Once your budget is set and approved, keep it in mind throughout the entire moving process.

Take Care on Moving Day

You want everything to go smoothly once moving day comes around. You can help ensure this by investing in professional movers and quality supplies. Though it costs extra, a professional moving company might be worth it when it comes to protecting your equipment and products throughout the move. You can also purchase quality shipping materials in bulk to safely and securely relocate your store’s products.

Advertise Your New Location

Relocating is a big deal, which is why one of the most important tips for moving store locations is to keep your customers in the loop. By informing your customers about the move—when you’re moving, where you’re going to, and when you’ll reopen—you ensure that your clients follow you to your new location. You can also use this to create excitement around your grand reopening, making your first few days in your new home a success.

Best Restaurants to Eat at on A Diet

Adopting a healthly style often requires cooking at home and meal prepping. However, sometimes you run into challenges with your diet when you go out shopping at Woodfield and need to grab a quick bite to eat. The good news is there are plenty of healthy options at the dining options offered at Woodfield mall. Learn all about the best restaurants to eat at on a diet, so you can stick to your healthy lifestyle change.

Chipotle

(Upper Level, Dining Pavilion)
Chipotle recently announced their new lifestyle bowls. When you visit the Chipotle app or website, you can order a meal that fits with one of the many diets people are committing to in the new year. When you order online or through the app, you can also see how many calories and nutrients you are getting as well. Some of the bowls Chipotle offers includes:
  • Keto Salad Bowl
  • Whole30 Salad Bowl
  • Paleo Bowl
  • Vegan Bowl
  • Vegetarian Bowl

Nordstrom eBar

(Inside Nordstrom, located on the west side of the mall)
Another option you have for healthy eating is actually in the Nordstrom store. The Nordstrom eBar has salads, wraps, and other fresh snacks to offer, so you can grab something healthy and on the go when you are in the middle of your shopping spree.

Subway

(Lower Level, JCPenney Wing near Liberty Travel)
Subway has been using the catchphrase “eat fresh” for some time now. On Subway’s website, you can see the eight six-inch subs that have a good source of protein, two servings of veggies, and 24 grams of whole grains. These sandwiches include:
  • Oven Roasted Turkey
  • Black Forest Ham
  • Roast Beef
  • Rotisserie-Style Chicken
  • Subway Club
  • Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki
  • Turkey Breast
  • Veggie Delite

McDonald’s

(Middle Level, Grand Court near Blocks to Bricks)
The McDonald’s has been a staple of Woodfield for years, and believe it or not, it has some healthy options you can choose from. Some healthy items at McDonald’s that you can get for breakfast, lunch, or dinner include:
  • Grilled Artesian Chicken Sandwich
  • Plain burger
  • Regular Egg McMuffin
  • Grilled Snack Wrap
  • Fruit & Maple Oatmeal
  • Salads
One thing to keep in mind when you are ordering these foods is that they often contain a high amount of sodium and preservatives. However, if you need to grab something on the go, these are the best restaurants to eat at on a diet and give you the nutrients you need.

Tips for Creating an Eye-Catching Business Sign

Many believe that the first impression from businesses often comes from their customer service, but it’s the signage. If your sign isn’t attractive and compelling, you’ll never get the chance to even demonstrate your customer service. This article introduces some tips for creating an eye-catching business sign.

Choose a Color

Color is one of the many things people react to. There are specific colors that many of us recognize immediately. Think about the McDonald’s yellow, Coca Cola red, or Starbucks green. One of the best sign options to incorporate vibrant color is a neon sign. There are a number of benefits to neon signs. For example, they have a classic look and they’re highly visible.

Stay Simple

Less is always more in design, so it’s encouraged to keep your design clean and simple. If the signage is cluttered, most people wouldn’t understand or remember the message. In addition, it’s critical to have an easy to read font, and if this is an outdoor sign, the font should be much larger. If you stand across the street or hall and you have to squint to read it, your customers probably have to also.

Stay Consistent

With color and design, it’s also important to maintain consistency throughout your branding. Going back to our previous examples, when you walk into any McDonald’s or Starbucks location, they’re mostly the same. Sure, each location has it’s own style, but the general theme remains similar. This is a critical tip for creating an eye-catching business sign because people will begin noticing the consistency if you have multiple locations. It’s even better if you maintain the consistency on your website and social media pages as well.

Keep it Concise

Your sign shouldn’t be your only advertising channel. The sign lets customers know who you are and what you do, so don’t cram sale information—or why you’re better than your competitors—on your sign. State your name, a slogan if you have one, and move on. To reiterate, if there’s too much going on with the sign, your message will be lost because customers won’t know what to focus on.

Have a Logo

Lastly, an additional touch to help people remember you is designing a logo. McDonald’s has had its iconic yellow for decades because it works. They remained consistent throughout their business, and it gave them an unshakable identity in the customer’s eyes. To reiterate the value of simplicity, we can look at Apple. Almost nowhere on any of their stores, website, or packaging does anything say Apple, it’s just their logo.
There’s a lot of strategy and psychology behind why consumers react the way to do to some brands and their signs. A sign doesn’t need to be busy and flashy, so stick to these tips as you design yours.

Ways to Improve Your Retail Window Display

Whether you take a stroll through the Woodfield Mall or window shop along the nearby streets, window displays are one of the most effective ways to intrigue consumers. Eye-catching and interesting, these displays put a lifestyle spin on certain products or services to make them more appealing to the general public. Once their curiosity is piqued, consumers will more likely enter your store. Learn a few effective ways to improve your retail window display and keep potential customers from passing you by.

Decide on Your Target Audience

Before you choose the display, it’s crucial that you figure out who your target market is and what they’d take interest in. You may even want to do some additional research into who buys your products and how they use them. Knowing this information ahead of time will allow you to make the most informed decisions regarding your marketing approach.

Create a Story or Theme

Once you know who you wish to target, it’s important that you develop a basic plan for the display before you put it into practice. This will give you time to develop a theme or story to tie the piece together. It’s important that your display demonstrates a cohesive theme to properly immerse the viewer in the story that interests them. Like a good book, this will then cause them to want to know more and compel them to enter the store.

Set an Eye-Catching Focal Point

Despite the story you will tell, at the end of the day, your display is meant to sell a product—and the product is key. Your focal point should be the main piece of the display, and the rest of the props in the window should emphasize it. This will allow the story to revolve around the product and insinuate a relatable experience.

Find a Balance of Lighting

Lighting plays a crucial role in how the onlooker perceives each display component. For widow displays specifically, it’s important to know the differences between natural and artificial lighting to find a proper balance between the two. With the natural light providing more shine, and the artificial lights putting extra focus on the important pieces, the viewer’s eyes will automatically be drawn to the products you want to highlight.

5 Best Gifts for Gamers This Holiday Season

The Holiday season is in full swing, with many facing the pressure of getting presents for their loved ones. Games are a great gift for many, but if you aren’t familiar with games or don’t play them, it can be near impossible to figure out exactly what to get. That’s why we are here to help you with some of the best gifts for games this Holiday season you can get.

Gaming Glasses

A lot of time spent gaming in front of a screen can be incredibly damaging to your eyes. The eye damage comes from the blue light that comes from computer monitors, smartphones, and televisions. Therefore, it’s necessary to have a pair of gaming glasses on. By wearing gaming glasses, they can reduce eye strain, which is why gaming glasses are one of the best gifts for gamers this holiday season.

A New Console

Another great gift you can get for an avid video game player is a new console. There are many different consoles to choose from, with the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 as popular choices that often come bundled with games.

VR Headset

Virtual Gaming is still a relatively new way to game, which is why a VR headset is an excellent gift for a gamer you know. There are various types on the market, such as the Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, and the PlayStation VR.

Ergonomic Chair

There are many gaming accessories available that can enhance the experience, one of which is a comfortable chair. No matter if you are a console or PC gamer, anyone can benefit from a chair with an ergonomic, wellness-supporting design.

New Game

A tried-and-true gift for gamers is a new game. The holiday season is full of great deals and new games that recently came out, including Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, Death Stranding, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and many others.
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