Becoming the go-to package store for your community is a hefty goal, but one that’s definitely within your reach. There are a few tricks you can try that will set your liquor store apart from your competitors, and establish your brand locally.
Worried about implementing these tips? We’ve got you covered. Read on for three tricks that will put your package store on a different playing field — and for a surefire way to implement them quickly and painlessly.
1. Online Sales and Delivery
Online shopping makes browsing convenient and hassle-free. Especially in a post-pandemic world, customers expect stores to provide options that allow them to receive their goods from the comfort of their homes.
The liquor industry hasn’t yet taken full advantage of the e-commerce phenomenon, so adding a virtual storefront to your shop is a great way to set yourself apart from the competition. Online stores are win-wins — they’ll endear you to your customers, and drive even more sales for your store.
For example, point of sale (POS) system Bottle POS comes with a free web store integration, BottleZoo, that allows your in-stock products to show up on Google when customers search your package store. When shoppers have completed their sale from the comfort of their homes, you and your employees will receive the sale at your store’s POS, and can fulfill the order via pickup or delivery. When providing door-to-door service for your customers, BottleZoo integrates with third-party delivery services, such as DoorDash.
2. Customer Rewards and Loyalty Programs
Customer loyalty programs are a great way to make your customers feel appreciated. Reward return customers by allowing them to rack up points every time they purchase liquor from your package store. These rewards can be anything from discounts to prize giveaways to raffle drawings.
For example, your package store could institute a punch card system. Every time a customer makes a purchase at your store, they earn a punch on their card — when they make their tenth liquor purchase, they earn a bottle for free. Buy-one-get-one promotions are also a popular rewards option for liquor stores.
Not only do customer loyalty programs keep your shoppers smiling and satisfied, they’ll impact your bottom line as well. According to consulting firm Bain, repeat customers spend an average of 67 percent more than their one-time counterparts. Ultimately, a five percent increase in customer retention can boost your liquor store’s profits by more than 25 percent.
Keep in mind that less than 35 percent of small business owners boast a liquor store loyalty program, so offering one is an excellent way to distance yourself from your competitors and become your community’s go-to liquor store.
Implementing a customer loyalty program may seem daunting at first, but many modern point of sale solutions come with baked-in rewards plans, offering easy integration to your current liquor store system.
3. Prompt Checkout
Small business owners know that the best feature a business can boast is efficiency. Rapid customer service is a great way to get ahead of other package stores, especially given the challenges a checkout process can present. These problems can be compounded at a package store, as necessary age verification usually takes time and effort.
Package store point of sale systems streamline the checkout process by using age verification software. When an age-restricted item is scanned, the POS software prompts you to request the customer’s date of birth — and for rapid age verification, POS hardware, such as an ID scanner, keeps your checkout line moving right along.
Implementing Changes at Your Package Store
These tips can transform your package store and charm your neighborhood, but they can also be intimidating to institute at your shop. After all, what do virtual storefronts, customer reward programs, and speedy checkout hardware have in common?
It’s an easy answer, actually: A high functioning point of sale system is key to simply and quickly implementing these changes at your liquor shop. Bottle POS, for example, offers a free web store via BottleZoo, a baked-in customer loyalty program, and hardware guaranteed to expedite checkout. Its perks don’t stop there, however, and are guaranteed to set your package store apart from competitors, making you the go-to option.
Ready to leave your competition in the dust? Schedule a free demo with our team today!
