The tech found across retail marketing connects brands with new clientele. Technology such as digital signage solutions offers a lot for retail brands who want to reward their customers and promote their products. Much technology is part-experiential and interactive by design, paving the way for customers to have a more memorable experience with retail stores.
Here are some essential technology ideas for retail marketing that you can use.
Integrate a Loyalty Program
A loyalty program is an effective way of building relationships with past and present customers. Loyalty increases customers’ spending and boosts the repeated purchase rate.
Interactive Web Design
Create a website where customers can take quizzes, enjoy a personalized experience, and engage with an AI chatbot to discover product recommendations, boost sales, and enjoy top conversion rates.
In-Store Digital Signage Software
Eye-catching digital displays are your best bet at impactfully promoting offers and new products in-store. Digital signage software is dynamic and captures attention. These displays can also be programmed to feature any content you wish.
Interactive Kiosks
Self-service checkouts reduce long lines, and product information stations let customers obtain more information. Find ways to use interactive kiosks to improve your customers’ shopping experience and ensure they make informed buying decisions.
Run Geo-Targeted Ads
Go to search engines and social media to launch geo-targeted ad campaigns. These ads run in specific areas. As a marketer, you can time the ads, adjust location options, exclude places you don’t want to target, and refer to current trends for extra insights into how to make a potent ad.
AI Customer Service
AI can provide 24/7 assistance to customer queries. Use AI chatbots for instant responses, speedy customer service, and personalized recommendations. AI chatbots can be installed on your website and mobile app and even used remotely while a customer browses in-store.
Encourage Reviews
Offer a small percentage-based discount to customers willing to do a survey post-purchase or in exchange for leaving a review. New customers trust online reviews. The more positive reviews attached to your brand, the more you are authenticated in the eyes of leads who don’t know you.
Experiment with AR/VR
Virtual product trials, an augmented reality try-on, and immersive storytelling with AR/VR are major opportunities to create engaging brand narratives using technology. Experiment and consider how you can use AR/VR specifically for your retail brand.
Email Marketing
Automate email marketing campaigns based on segmented customer bases. You boost open and click-through rates with targeted emails personalized to your customers. This is a way to remarket and encourage customers to complete repeat purchases.
Physical QR Codes
QR codes in retail can offer customers the chance to get more information about specific products they want to buy. It may redirect them to how-to guides, specs, promo codes, etc. QR codes simplify product displays while offering interested parties a wealth of information.
Monitor In-Store Traffic
Use AI analytics programs to monitor in-store movement, see which product zones receive the most attention, and analyze which discounts and sales work best. Foot traffic and data-driven insights can help you optimize the store layout and maximize sales.
Create a Mobile App
A branded app is a smart investment for a retail store. It allows you to market directly to customers with push notifications that can be used to drive instant traffic. It’s also a way to share a more intuitive shopping experience for your customers.
SMS Marketing
Send exclusive offers and reminders to customers via text messages. Keep these messages concise and actionable, with a clear call-to-action link included.
Personalized Shopping
Use customer data to provide a tailored experience to each customer. Past purchases can give insight into the type of products or in-store shopping experience that may interest a customer.
Launch a Game with Mystery Discounts
Offer customers a chance to unlock random discounts in-store or virtually with an app-based or website-based game. With every play, customers can win freebies and discounts. This is an excellent way to attract customers to your retail brand and inspire engagement.
Create Engaging Video Content
To engage your audience, create engaging video content for your social media. Use marketing-friendly reels to grab attention, while product demos or how-to guides provide useful information about your products. Highlight key features of new items or bundles to attract potential customers. Share behind-the-scenes videos to build a personal connection with your brand. Also, consider hosting live feeds during special occasions to encourage excitement around your products.
Live Stream Video Content
A live stream is another form of video content a retail store can explore. It’s possible to live-stream product demonstrations, answer customer questions, share a company event, and/or launch new products in real-time.
Leverage User-Generated Content
Launch a social media contest where you encourage customers to use a hashtag, take their photo or video, and share it online. This user-generated content can also be purposed in-store across your installed digital signage.