Customers — we couldn’t be in business without them!  Especially in these challenging economic times, it’s important to let all our customers know how much we appreciate the fact that they have chosen to patronize a locally owned store.  We know they have lots of other options, from shopping online, going to a big box store, or just not spending money on the kinds of goods we sell.

A Customer Appreciation event is a great way to say thank you, and to create a special occasion to bring traffic into your store that is not just another sale.  You could make it Customer Appreciation Evening, Day, or even Week.  Perhaps other businesses in your area would like to join in to increase the impact of your event.

There are lots of great ideas for customer appreciation events to consider, but the most common offerings are refreshments, a small gift, and a door prize drawing. The cost of doing this is minimal, and yet the impact can be quite significant — especially if your staff gets onboard to create a festive atmosphere.

Another option for Customer Appreciation events is offering a discount on the customer’s entire purchase.  Some stores get creative in having a range of discounts available (10% to 25%, for example), with customers popping a balloon, choosing a slip of paper from a fishbowl, or opening a fortune cookie to discover which one they are entitled to.  Another idea is to choosing certain products to be “buy one, get one free.”

Product demos, books signings and food sampling can also be part of a Customer Appreciation event. You might also consider having music or other entertainment, and special activities for children. 

Permission-based e-mail marketing, direct mail invitations to your best customers, and print ads are great ways to advertise an appreciation day.  Don’t forget to promote your event through social media such as Facebook.   You might even consider hosting a special appreciation event exclusive to your Facebook fan base.

Many stores make their Customer Appreciation Day an annual event. It’s a great reminder that at least once a year we need to thank those who make it possible for us to still be in this business we love.

Happy Retailing,

Carol “Orange” Schroeder