By
Bob Phibbs
Many retailers mistakenly believe their customers are fully aware of all their luxury offerings.
For example, when I visited a jewelry store to replace my watch battery, the staff efficiently assisted me with my request but failed to showcase other products. This missed opportunity means customers leave with a narrow view of the store's offerings.
Great job, you might say...he gave me what I wanted.
Wrong. Big time. Here's why...
I left that 4000 sq ft store without knowing about their other products. I didn't consider a new watch, a new band, a wedding band, or a glass vase for a corporate gift.
They are the watch battery store to me.
A shame because they could just open a 100 sq ft kiosk in a mall and replace batteries all day. Hold that thought...
While speaking in Cancun, I took a tour of the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza. When we arrived, our tour guide took us through the ruins, pointing out the sacrificial temple, the observatory, what the skeleton heads carved into the limestone meant, the Mayan calendar, etc. It was very interesting.
Then it occurred to me that there were several people without guides.
And what exactly did they get out of it? Everything was in another language—no English to be found. There were no maps of the ruins, no arrows pointing, no POP to tell you what you were looking at or why, how far one point of interest was from another, etc.
We often arrive in a boutique or store with nothing more than curiosity to find products towering over us.
Left alone, we try to figure out what the store offers. A clerk often greets us with "Can I help you?" which leads to “I’m just looking,” as overwhelmed consumers don’t want to feel stupid. Or, even worse, the clerk takes us to the tiniest part of the store to see the one thing we chose to voice at that moment.
That is why it is so important to give a store tour. For example, "Is this your first time in the store?" "Yes," answers the customer. "May I give you a brief store tour?" Once they answer yes again, take your time. However, the simplest method to boost sales is often overlooked: the store tour. A guided store tour can significantly enhance customer awareness and interest, ultimately driving more sales and fostering loyalty.
How to Give a Store Tour
It's Disneyland
Act as a tour guide at Disneyland for your jewelry store. "We began as a watch store, so you'll find all the latest styles from X, Y, and Z (Watchland). We added a complete bridal section with wedding rings, parent gifts, and a registry (Weddingland,) and over here are our business gifts, all made right here in our shop, including cufflinks, flasks, and desk sets (Businessland). We also repair all watches and settings (Fixitland.)." Got the idea?
This also works if you have custom elements or services that could use an explanation.
For example, if you were an optical store, “We operate a little differently than others. May I explain it to you?” The customers almost always say, “Yes.” “We’ll begin with the frames, and I’ll explain a bit about the shape of your face, what might look good, and why. You can browse alone, or I can stay with you the whole time. Then we’ll look at the lens choices based on your needs and get an idea of how long it might take, and if everything looks good to you, we’ll get a deposit.”
For a cannabis store, for example, you might say, "We've been in business for four years with five other locations across San Francisco. One thing that makes us different is we control everything from the field to the store, so you have the best quality cannabis. Over here are our budtenders, where you'll find just the right medicinal marijuana for your particular needs. Many find edibles are a popular choice for sleep. This one with the sunflower is my favorite when I've been stressed out."
No matter what you sell, a store tour lets customers relax and know they are in good hands. Without it, everything can feel overwhelming and give the customer various reasons to leave.
In Sum
If you are a sporting goods store, you could tour the various areas of your store. If you are a window fashion store, you could give a tour by product, from the lowest to the highest priced.
Oh yes, a store tour doesn’t take up much time, but it cements trust, leading to larger sales and more loyal customers.
Getting a store tour takes focus, scripting, and practice. Quickly learn how in SalesRX.com, my online retail sales training program.
