Closing your store for a makeover might seem like a daunting task, especially when you’re worried about losing business. But what if I told you that you can turn this temporary closure into a golden opportunity if you’re focused on selling while closed? By strategically planning your closure and leveraging online platforms, you can keep your sales up and even create excitement among your customers. Here’s how to master the art of selling while closed.

#1: Plan Your Closure Strategically

Timing is everything when it comes to minimizing the impact of your store’s closure. Choose a period when foot traffic is typically lower. For example, consider closing during off-peak hours or on slower days. Once you’ve set the date, notify your customers in advance through email, social media, and in-store signage. Let them know about the exciting changes coming their way. This not only keeps them informed but also builds anticipation. Count on them forgetting, or missing most of your posts about this – if you’re not sick of talking about it, you haven’t said it enough!

#2: Selling While Closed – Offer Online Shopping Options

Just because your physical store is closed doesn’t mean your business has to stop. Use this time to boost your online presence. Send daily emails to your customers, promoting your online store with special discounts, exclusive offers, or free shipping and local delivery. This keeps your customers engaged and encourages them to continue shopping while your store gets its makeover.

#3: Create Anticipation and Excitement

Building excitement is key to keeping your customers engaged. Use your social media channels and email newsletters to tease the upcoming changes. Share sneak peeks of the new paint colors – or share swatches and get customers to guess the final color, design elements, or any other updates you’re making. Engaging visuals and compelling messaging can pique curiosity and generate buzz around your store’s refresh.

#4: Plan a Grand Reopening Event

A grand reopening event is a fantastic way to celebrate the fresh look of your store and bring customers back in droves. Invite your customers to join the celebration and experience the new atmosphere. Do a 5-day countdown before the event, offering pictures with clues to some of the changes. You definitely don’t have to run a sale during your grand reopening, but offering special promotions, giveaways, or exclusive deals during the reopening event can incentivize attendance and drive sales. Make it a memorable celebration that showcases the hard work you’ve put into enhancing their shopping experience.

#5: Enhance the In-Store Experience

Take advantage of the closure period to make broader improvements. Besides painting, consider updating signage, rearranging displays for better flow, adding new decor, and giving the store a deep clean. Use this time to do everything that’s hard to manage during regular business hours. Enhancing the overall in-store experience will leave a lasting impression on your customers and make your store more inviting.

Selling While Closed: Recap

Keeping your customers in the loop during the closure is crucial. Share regular updates about the progress of the makeover through social media and email. Post behind-the-scenes photos and videos to keep the excitement alive. Remind them of the reopening date and encourage them to share their excitement and expectations on social media. This continuous engagement helps maintain a connection with your customers even while your doors are temporarily closed.

By implementing these strategies, you can effectively freshen up your store without losing business. Instead, you’ll create an opportunity to engage with your customers, drive online sales, and build anticipation for the grand reopening. Remember, selling while closed is all about strategic planning, effective communication, and leveraging every opportunity to keep your customers excited and engaged. Happy renovating!

Store owners:

I’m looking for 5 brick and mortar store owners who are ready to move forward with lean, fresh and profitable inventory.

Here’s what I’m looking for:

✨ You know you’re not maximizing the profitability of your inventory and you’re ready to recoup that investment

✨You want a clear picture of what inventory is moving and leads to higher cash flow

✨ Your store is currently making over $200K in annual sales

✨ You’re using a Point of Sale system to track your sales and inventory

✨ You’re friendly and coachable (how do you know you’re coachable? You’re curious, you want to get better at what you do and you’re prepared to try unorthodox strategies to get there)

If that’s you, click here to send us an email telling me a little about where you’re at with your retail business right now.