When it comes to owning a resale shop, one of the most significant hoops to jump through is getting people through your doors.
In terms of sales, owning a resale shop is similar to owning any other retail location. Ultimately, you need to give customers a reason to want to visit your store, whether it’s by providing unmatched value, hosting an event or building connections.
Demonstrate the Value of Your Resale Franchise
One of the most effective methods of getting customers in your store is pinpointing a problem they are facing and providing a solution.
Of course, this problem doesn’t have to be a major one: it could be something as simple as “Need a new festive sweater for your upcoming holiday party? Come in and grab yours today!”
Luckily, when you sign on with a franchisor like Winmark®, our brands are already recognizable. Three decades of operating our stores like Play It Again Sports®, Plato’s Closet®, Once Upon A Child®, Music Go Round® and Style Encore® has allowed us to generate plenty of sales and thousands of loyal customers over 1,250 locations in the United States and Canada. Our brand recognition alone gives franchisees a leg up on the competition, which customers may not be familiar with.
Host and Participate in Events
Another way to boost sales is by creating a way to get customers in your stores for reasons other than shopping. Why? Because this serves as your business’s introduction.
The first step in the sales process is to build awareness. Once people in your community learn that you’re just around the corner and sell certain products, they’ll know where to go the next time they need something you have on your shelves.
One of the best ways to get potential new customers into your store is by hosting an event. Of course, this can also be done virtually through live streams on Facebook and Instagram. These events may be centered around factors like seasonality, charitable causes, business milestones and more.
Most communities have other local events that you can participate in, such as festivals, school fundraisers, and those run through your local chamber of commerce or retail association.
Build Relationships
Speaking of building connections, doing so within your community and beyond will help your business tremendously in the long run. Even if customers are not interested in shopping right when you connect with them, they’re likely to keep your store top of mind in the future.
Just like with hosting events, when you network and make an impression, you’re putting your business top-of-mind for the next time that they think about visiting a resale shop.
Besides building relationships in person, you can also do so online. Networking sites like LinkedIn or local online business listings, such as Alignable, serve as excellent ways to meet other business owners within your community. These connections may even lead to a mutually beneficial partnership between your business and another.
Set Your Resale Franchise Up For Success
At Winmark, our team is always here to provide support in all areas of your business, including driving sales and marketing. Joining our franchise also means you will have the opportunity to speak with other franchisees, share ideas and celebrate your business’s milestones.
Interested in bringing a resale shop with a proven track record to your area? Contact us today to learn more about our franchise opportunities!
