10 In-Store Marketing Tips To Boost Revenue In 2024

The in-store shopping experience isn’t going anywhere. Even in an increasingly digital world, 82% of retailers are still confident that physical stores will play a crucial role in their growth. But to unlock the full value of physical store experiences, companies need the right in-store marketing strategies.

More than ever, consumers today expect convenient, personalized, and immersive shopping experiences, whether they’re shopping online, in-store, or through their smartphones. 

The good news is, the right in-store marketing solutions can help elevate brand awareness, increase the average order value of your customers, and increase consumer loyalty. 

So, which strategies should you be using in 2024? 

What is In-Store Marketing?

In-store marketing is any type of promotional activity that takes place inside of a brick-and-mortar shop. It can include everything from strategically designed window displays, to interactive screens showcasing the latest offers, and even the use of technology to enhance shopping experiences. 

In the past, most forms of in-store marketing were relatively basic, with companies relying on standard banners and signs to promote their latest offers. Now, however, we’re seeing a convergence of the digital and physical worlds that is driving new shopping experiences.

Companies aren’t just trying to attract sales with free samples and product demos anymore. They’re leveraging immersive mobile journeys, QR codes, and extended reality. These strategies all focus on one thing: creating unforgettable customer experiences. 

After all, 76% of shoppers say they would spend more on memorable experiences than products. If the experience in your store is unforgettable, your profits will grow.

Why is In-Store Marketing Important?

Clearly, today’s retailers need a digital presence and a strong online marketing strategy to connect with customers, but that doesn’t mean overlooking the importance of in-store marketing. Recent reports suggest that 51% of consumers still want to shop in-store, and they want the experiences they get from retailers on-site to be incredible. 

Investing in in-store marketing doesn’t just boost your chances of higher in-store sales, it can lead to higher sales on every channel. In the same survey mentioned above, 58% of customers said a great in-store experience would convince them to buy from a brand online.

Effective in-store marketing solutions help companies:

• Build real-life connections with customers: 72% of customers still consider the in-store experience to be crucial to their perception of brands. Real, face-to-face interactions with sales assistants and representatives strengthen human connections. In-store strategies also ensure you can communicate with customers and answer their questions in real time. 
• Implement omnichannel marketing strategies: While digital channels like email, social media, and your website are excellent for connecting with customers, it can be difficult to stand out in a cluttered virtual environment. In-store marketing gives you another way to reach your audience and improve your marketing ROI. 
• Improve brand awareness and recognition: In-store marketing solutions offer an excellent way to demonstrate your brand values and personality to customers. You can actively showcase your sustainable and eco-friendly practices, or highlight your commitment to helping customers make the right purchasing decisions, boosting brand connections. 
• Increase conversions: With in-store marketing, you can give your customers hands-on, interactive experiences with products, which significantly increase conversion rates. Customers are more likely to buy something when they can see what it does for themselves first-hand. In-store marketing also gives you the opportunity to take advantage of impulse buying behaviors, increasing average order values.
• Improve customer experiences: In-store marketing also gives you an exceptional way to boost customer experiences. You can answer customer questions in real time, provide them with guidance on how to use new products and services, and even educate them on what your solutions can do, all in one place.

10 Amazing In-Store Marketing Solutions to Explore

In-store marketing forms a valuable part of a comprehensive omnichannel marketing campaign that can increase conversion rates, customer loyalty, and average order values. Here are some of the top, tried, tested, and proven in-store marketing solutions you can explore.

1. Mobile Journeys

Mobile devices have become crucial to the modern customer shopping experience. Today’s buyers use their smartphones to research products, interact with companies, and make purchases. Even in-store, your customers will be using their smartphones to access more information about your products, and make more intelligent purchasing decisions.

In-store marketing solutions like GENESISX empower companies to design highly relevant, personalized, and branded mobile experiences for every customer. Companies can design pre-shopping experiences that introduce customers to new products and services. 

When customers visit a store, immersive brand story promotions created using GENESISX solutions can generate immediate in-store sales. Brands can even leverage the platform to immediately recommend relevant products to customers. 

Companies like Walmart have already discovered the benefits of these platforms, using intelligent mobile journeys to educate customers, increase word-of-mouth marketing, and boost sales. 

2. Eye-Catching Displays

Displays are still a valuable part of creating an incredible in-store marketing experience. A shop window can grab the attention of customers as they pass by, showcasing products in a range of environments and scenarios, and encouraging them to enter the shop. 

Displays located throughout your retail location can draw attention to your top-selling products, highlight how items can be bundled together, or promote offers and sales. The key to creating truly unforgettable displays is getting creative. 

Experiment with digital signage for dynamic advertising. More than 50% of customers say they prefer to watch product videos before buying them, so embed them into your visual merchandising strategy. Consider experimenting with motion-activated signs, to create a more immersive experience, and remember to adjust your signage to suit different seasons and themes over time. 

3. Samples, Testers and Experiential Experiences

A quarter of in-store shoppers say they want to interact with products before they buy them. Give your customers a chance to get a hands-on experience with your products. Samples and testers are excellent for retail companies selling “consumable” products, such as food and beverages, cleaning products, or health and beauty items. 

For larger, more expensive products that don’t support the creation of trial-sized versions, you can consider offering other hands-on experiences to customers. For instance, an automotive company can offer access to a test drive, or a technology company can host product demonstrations. For instance, Apple regularly hosts demos of its new products, such as the Apple Vision Pro. 

These strategies help to earn the trust of your target audience, boost their chances of getting more value out of their purchases, and lead to greater customer loyalty.

4. Special Events and Workshops

Special events and educational workshops are another way to leverage the power of hands-on experiences to engage and convert your customers. 32% of customers say they love engaging with in-store experiential moments, from live workshops, and classes, like those offered by the Apple store, to pop-up events.  

Special events can come in a range of forms, like pop-up concerts or art shows that demonstrate new product collections. For instance, Hermes Parade launched a live theatre event showcasing their new luxury collection of home décor products. You could use live giveaways and competitions that generate excitement for your brand, and encourage word-of-mouth marketing. 

You might even experiment with training sessions and classes that show customers what they can accomplish with your products. 

5. Use Geo-Targeted Notifications

Geo-targeted notifications combine the power of mobile marketing with data. With today’s advanced technology, companies can identify when potential customers are in close proximity to a specific store, and send them relevant deals, offers, or messages, enticing them to visit. 

For instance, Starbucks leveraged the APP>LESS solution from GENESISX to target potential customers based on their proximity to specific target stores. The notifications engaged users, showing them new products and coffee flavors and encouraging them to try the new products.

The result for Starbucks was a 15% increase in sales, as well as a significant increase in product awareness and physical store traffic. 

6. Use Extended Reality

One of the biggest challenges of in-store marketing, is that it can be difficult to showcase all of the products your business has to offer in a limited space. Extended reality solutions, such as virtual, augmented, and mixed reality can alleviate this issue. 

With extended reality in-store marketing solutions, companies can enhance the customer experience in-store, allowing them to scan a QR code to see a virtual (augmented reality) representation of a product in three dimensions, or learn more about its features. Fashion and beauty companies can use AR mirrors to allow customers to experiment with new clothes and cosmetics in dressing rooms. 

Companies can even use virtual reality applications to allow customers to customize products and build their own bundles. For instance, Ikea’s virtual reality showroom gives customers a unique way to browse through products, and add items to a digital shopping cart, while in-store. 

7. Consider Curbside and Pop-Up Promotions

Technically, curbside and pop-up promotional campaigns don’t take place in-store, but they can still help to increase foot traffic, and build brand awareness. New retail companies might not have the budget to purchase a location in a busy high street, but they can cost-effectively launch pop-up stores that showcase some of their products, and drive customers back to their primary location.

Curbside campaigns, which involve asking employees to hand out leaflets or free samples or engage in performances that draw attention to your brand and its products can also boost engagement rates. The more unique and eye-catching your events are, the more foot traffic you’ll get. 

Plus, innovative curbside and pop-up promotions, like Sephora’s pop-up events, get people talking about your company, increasing online mentions, social media interactions and website traffic. 

8. Loyalty Programs

Loyalty programs can form a valuable part of both online and in-store marketing strategies. Studies show that 60% of customers feel they have a stronger emotional connection with companies that have their own loyalty programs. 

As part of your in-store marketing strategy, you can offer customers the opportunity to sign up for programs that allow them to earn rewards whenever they visit your store or make a purchase. This significantly increases shopping activity and conversion rates. 

Loyalty programs also give you a unique way to ensure you can constantly communicate with customers. To sign up for your program, customers will either need to download an app, like the Starbucks reward app, or share their email address or phone number. This means you have a convenient way to nurture potential buyers, and inform them about new offers and deals.

9. Use QR Codes for Hybrid Shopping

Today’s consumers are fully aware of the benefits technology can bring to their shopping experiences. Just because they want to be able to interact with companies and products in-person, doesn’t mean they don’t want to leverage the latest technologies at the same time.

QR codes give retailers a unique opportunity to align online and offline shopping journeys. In a store, customers can scan these codes to research products, review customer testimonials, check sizing details, or even place orders online when physical stock isn’t available. 

They can even use QR codes to sign up for subscriptions to specific products, requesting items be delivered straight to their location on a weekly or monthly basis.  

10. Partner with Local Businesses and Artists

Finally, partnerships can be an excellent way to take your in-store marketing experience to the next level. They offer a unique opportunity to expand your reach and connect with new customers, and allow you to demonstrate unique brand values. 

Partnering with local artists, for instance, could be an excellent way for a fashion company to launch a new product line, while showcasing a commitment to elevating and supporting their community. Companies can even partner with other complementary organizations on product bundles, giveaways, and competitions, to increase engagement. 

For instance, a healthcare company launching a new supplement line could partner with a gym on a health and wellness event or a subscription giveaway. 

Mastering In-Store Marketing in 2024

The right in-store marketing solutions are still crucial to success in today’s world. Even if you have a fantastic strategy for digital marketing, investing in immersive experiences, mobile journeys, and other in-store marketing techniques can increase both customer engagement and sales.

With the right strategy, you’ll be able to boost brand awareness, elevate your company above the competition, and unlock greater profits. 

Learn how you can transform the in-store marketing experience with a powerful mobile-first platform for customer engagement with GENESISX today. 

Contact us to find out more about our marketing solutions. 

FAQs

What is the in-store marketing approach?

The in-store marketing approach involves using promotional strategies within a brick-and-mortar store or around that physical space to drive foot traffic and increase sales in-store. It can involve everything from print media and signage, to free samples and special events. 

How Do You Promote a Product in a Store?

• Create amazing mobile journeys
• Design eye-catching displays
• Give away samples and testers
• Host special events and workshops
• Use loyalty programs
• Use QR codes for hybrid shopping
• Partner with local businesses and creators

How effective is in-store marketing?

Even in an increasingly digital market, in-store marketing can be extremely effective, improving your brand’s reputation, increasing foot traffic, and generating higher sales and profits. Combining in-store and digital marketing strategies is an excellent way to increase revenue. 

Feature image by Andrea Piacquadio