Retail marketing is basically how you promote your store. Generally this means you are a company that is selling an item to the public. The key to a good campaign is identifying who you are selling to, what is they want and how to make it appeal to them.

This is admittedly harder in practice than it is in theory. There have been a number of high profile companies that have underestimated the effect their actions can have on how their products are perceived. The important thing is to make sure that customers feel valued and that you give them what they want. Furthermore it is vital that you make sure that they come to you.

It is generally fairly simple to see who your target audience is. A good example of this is movie releases in the cinema. The certificate makes it fairly clear who the film is suitable for and this narrows down the audience. The audience is then narrowed down further by the source material. The posters for a violent action film will be very different from a period drama.

Once you have established who your target audience is you then have to consider what your goals are. In a lot of retail environments this is usually via sales targets. There will be a certain amount of items that need to be sold and it will be the responsibility of the staff to sell them. Target incentives such as commission on items sold are usually a good staff motivator.

When deciding on a marketing campaign you need to decide what your budget and timetable is. This will give you an idea of what you can afford and how much time you have to implement it. An advert on an airplane or projected on a local landmark at night may not be practical. Equally a commercial on television should be on at times that your target audience are watching.

If your budget is more restricted then it pays to be more resourceful. For example if you have just moved into a local area do not hesitate to contact the local media. They will often be looking for a story to cover. A good way to ensure this is to sponsor a local event or charity. An additional benefit of this is good PR, making your company look like it is keen to become part of the local community.

There are a few basic things that you should get right. Websites should be kept updated and look presentable. Avoid silly errors like red text on a black background, as people often find this hard to read. It is also a good idea to order items such as door handles, calendars and invoices with your logo and tagline on them. With business cards you should have details about your company and special offers on the back.

Retail marketing does not necessarily have to be expensive. Online promotion methods such as social networking are a good of informally letting people know about upcoming events and promotions. With a sensible approach and careful use of your resources you can get the most out of your business.

Author Bio: Providing custom strategies for Loyalty cards since 1981, whether you\’re looking for a program update or an enterprise-wide solution, trust the experts.

Category: Business
Keywords: retail,customer,reward program,marketing,home,family,business,society,economy,finance,management