30 Oct
The big brands have deep pockets and domineering presence, and pair this with free parking and low prices it is hardly surprising that customer choose them.
But for the very reasons that make the big shops attractive, they also make themselves vulnerable to shopper-savviness. The big brands are clones of each other, meaning shoppers have little reason to choose one over the other. Brand loyalty at this scale is rare and this is why the big brands are constantly working to drive their shoppers back to them. Here is a quick look at some of the strategies employed:
Free parking – Hardly a groundbreaking strategy, but nevertheless important. The point is to make the choice as easy and effortless as possible for the customer. Looking for parking and paying for it adds friction.
Brand comparison – Price wars are raging and supermarkets spend almost as much time talking about their competitors as themselves, in a bid to show the customer that they are cheaper than so and so. Some will even print their competitor’s name on the receipt!
Time-limited discounts – Some of the big supermarkets will give you a voucher along with your receipt, often with a neat little saving on your next shop. But have you ever looked at this in detail? Notice the expiry date. This has not been chosen at random, but is carefully calculated by marketeers and analysts, and is usually set to just before a customer would ‘naturally’ do their next shop. The purpose is, of course, to drive the shopper back in sooner – increasing the frequency of their visits and therefore increasing their spend.
Complex loyalty cards – The big brands all have some sort of loyalty program where customers earn points for their spend. But have you noticed the rewards? A store voucher or discount, which is what you might expect, is sidelined by rewards at other, non-competitive businesses such as restaurant vouchers, cinema tickets and online shopping vouchers. All very tempting to consumers – who feel like they are getting a special treat just for doing their everyday shopping.
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Together these strategies all work towards one goal; make the customer come back more often and spending more, each time. But you don’t have to be a big brand with deep pockets to take advantage. If you can’t offer free parking, can you be flexible with your opening hours? Be the easier option for customers. Once a customer has chosen you once, you have the opportunity to turn them into regulars by offering a competitive, enjoyable experience in store.
