When customers crave an ice-cold beer or their favorite cocktail, they have lots of options. They can pick up their favorite bottles from big-box players like Total Wine, convenience stores, and other locally-owned liquor stores in the area.
This means you need to give customers a reason to choose your store over the competition.
In this blog, we’ll explore six ways to draw shoppers away from other liquor retailers, win them over, and keep them coming back. Let’s dive right in!
When a customer walks into your liquor store, they know exactly what they’re looking for — whether it’s their go-to bottle of Jim Beam or a celebration-worthy champagne.
That’s why our number-one tip is to make sure your selection meets (or exceeds) their expectations. If it doesn’t, they’ll turn to one of your competitors, and they might not give you another chance.
Here are three tips to create a winning product selection:
Remember: Stocking the right products — including well-known bestsellers and rare, luxury bottles — is the best way to keep customers coming back.
Related Read: Managing and Selling Rare Liquors: Tips for Retail Success
Delivery apps have transformed the liquor store landscape. Instead of trekking to your liquor store, customers can browse your aisles virtually and have their favorite beers, wines, spirits, and mixers delivered right to their door.
Creating a virtual storefront in a delivery app like DoorDash can give you a significant edge over the competition. DoorDash has millions of daily users, giving you the opportunity to reach and sell to a completely new demographic.
Selling online might sound intimidating, but setups like the DoorDash X Bottle POS integration make it a breeze. This integration allows you to sync your inventory list, stock levels, and prices between your POS system and online storefront — saving you time and ensuring you turn a profit on every order.
Which liquor store will busy customers choose after work: the one that closes at 6 p.m., or the one that closes three hours later at 9 p.m.? Your store’s hours might seem like a small detail, but they can be a major differentiator.
Opening a little earlier or closing later than the competition can help you build customer loyalty — especially with the after-work shopping crowd.
Of course, expanding your open hours comes with extra work and higher labor costs, so experiment with different opening and closing times. For example, try opening an hour earlier on Saturday mornings and closing an hour later on Thursday and Friday evenings, then check your POS system’s sales reports to see if it’s worth the time and money.
When customers visit a local, independently-owned store like yours, they expect stellar customer service. Guiding them to the perfect white wine for a dinner party, offering your bourbon expertise, or pointing out your personal favorite products can help you turn one-time shoppers into lifelong customers.
Your employees are the face of your liquor store, so make sure they have the training they need to provide top-notch customer service and expert liquor and wine recommendations. This training should be ongoing rather than a one-time effort to keep them up to date on your latest offerings and promotions.
Making personalized recommendations is another way to set your liquor store apart. Use your POS software’s customer relationship management (CRM) system to track purchase history and keep detailed notes of each shopper’s preferences. This gives you and your team the information you need to make tailored recommendations.
Events are a win-win strategy for liquor stores. They serve as a powerful marketing tool to bring new customers through your door — and they also help you stand out from other liquor retailers in the area.
Tasting events, mixology classes, or holiday and seasonal-themed celebrations give you the opportunity to connect with the community, showcase your product selection, and make more sales.
Use your social media pages, email or SMS newsletter, and in-store signage to promote them. Don’t forget to offer special discounts and promotions to turn attendees into paying customers.
Our final tip is to make sure customers can find exactly what they’re looking for through smart display choices. Cramped aisles, confusing product categories, and cluttered shelves make for a less-than-excellent shopping experience — driving customers toward big-name chains.
To make their stops quicker and easier, focus on:
A smart floor plan and well-designed displays can boost sales and customer satisfaction.
Related Read: 7 Liquor Display Ideas To Maximize Liquor Store Sales
Ready to put these strategies to work in your liquor store? Let’s make sure you have the right tools.
Bottle POS, our all-in-one liquor store POS software, includes all the features you need to stock the right products, create the perfect shopping experience, and stay profitable, including:
Plus, you’ll have 24/7 access to our team of liquor store experts for support. See Bottle POS in action by scheduling your live demo today!