As you recall in part one of this ongoing series about how any retailer, but especially that was once as formidable as Kmart, which is trying to re-brand itself and re-gain some of it’s former luster.
That being the case, you’d think they’d readily embrace some think outside the box type of proven sales tips, right?
Since they’ve allocated a ton of money to more of the outrageously expensive traditional type advertising. It’s not a question of the money they’re spending each month as much as it is, the ultimate return they’re receiving on those hard invested dollars.
Because remember, in the overall big picture, it’s Kmart that has fallen from grace. Not Target or Walmart etc. So it would most certainly be in Kmart (or struggling major retailer X’s) best interest to step outside the box just a little and inexpensively test some of these battlefield tested sales tips.
Plus, Kmart could and should allocate an incredibly small amount of money each month, (probably) less than say $1,000 dollars per week to help boost the vendors that they’re working with.
Three More Proven Sales Tips That Will Definitely Help You Grow Your Business!
So as you recall from part one, Kmart (stepped outside) the old corporate retail box and found an extremely savvy entrepreneurial (small vendor) that was currently (and I might add) successfully running one of those mini portable hair salon booths in the outer court of one of the major malls.
Which means their weekly and or monthly rental rates are nothing short of outrageously expensive! Especially during the last quarter of the year as the major holiday seasonal rush gets into full gear.
So Kmart reaches out to them, and offer them prime space inside their store (if the first beta test works) Kmart will install more in other stores! But initially Kmart only charges them (say) $200 per seven day week!
That way they almost guarantee the hair salon vendor a much higher net profit! Because Kmart will help subsidize their new found partners by allocating say ($1,000 dollars) per week, to help build powerful and positive on and offline word of mouth buzz.
For ex; as was discussed previously, Kmart will allocate 30 ($20 dollar gas cards coupons) and on the hair salon’s slowest days, the first thirty customers (which statistically speaking) are by far 95% or more women of various ages.
When they sit down to get their hair and nails done etc. They’ll also get a free $20 dollar gas card! Irregardless of how much they spend! And during the ten day run up to thanksgiving.
The first 25 customers that spend at X amount of money, they’ll get a a free $50 dollar gift certificate to one of the most popular grocers in the immediate area!
Keep in mine, what Kmart is really doing is causing positive and relatively inexpensive (on and offline) word of mouth publicity for their store! As these customers (primarily) women, start positively spreading the word!
What do you think will slowly start happening to (good old) Kmart’s daily foot traffic! Plus, here’s the other way Kmart will create positive word of mouth momentum for their store.
A week before Valentines Day, every guy over 18, they will be given a special coupon that they can send a special bouquet of flowers, that would normally cost $39.95, the gentlemen will pay just $14.95! Because in reality Kmart will be splitting that 25 dollar difference ($39.95- $14.95 = $25 ) with the florist!
Put Your Customers Or Clients First And You Won’t Need To Continuously Spend Outrageous Sums Of Money On Traditional Advertising Mediums!
In other words, the extremely savvy local florist will be more than content to invest $12.50 per new potential lead. Because they’re banking on converting a certain percentage of them into their “Sweet hearts club!”
Which means they’ll be buying and sending flowers on Mothers day, their wedding anniversary (if it applies), their spouses and or significant others birthday etc. So the $12.50 per new potential lead is well worth it!
And Kmart will also do some other really cool (totally unconventional) stuff like start a “Moms Club!’ And every mom that goes to their WordPress website and join’s Kmart’s “Mom Club’s” opt in list.
Every month some lucky mom will be given the ‘star’ treatment! They’ll get $100 dollar grocery store gift certificate and a $100 dollar gas card! Plus, get a $200 dollar gift certificate to shop at Kmart and six free movie tickets! And on Mothers Day, their birthday and (if it applies) they’ll get flowers delivered on their wedding anniversary!
Plus, they get a free hair salon (and nail) make over courtesy of the hair salon vendor located inside of Kmart. That in and of itself is a $75 dollar value!
Now taking the big picture into account, this is a seemingly small investment to make, ( a drop in the proverbial bucket if you will!) for the type of long term potential positive word of mouth that will surely start to spread!
Think about it for a second, Kmart will be systematically be building a literal army of highly vocal Moms, that will be pro-actively spreading the word! So in your humble opinion, does it really make sense that any serious major retailer, but especially a struggling one would overlook these type of proven sales tips?
Me either. In part three, we’ll explore at least two more ways that a struggling major retailer could strategically cash in! Until then, any questions?
Please list at least two simple spin off concepts (in the comments section below) that you can apply to your business, product or service in the next 30 days or less!
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Hi Mark,
I think what these ideas are brilliant if they can get the word out?
A few years ago a donut shop opened in the town we lived in in Texas. They were really struggling so I offered them an idea.
What if you gave away a half dozen donuts to each customer?
The balked of course but what they weren’t thinking was that when people come in they will buy donuts that are not the free ones plus drinks and other items.
It was a smash success. The line was out the door and around the corner all day long. They made more money in that day than in any given week up to that.
Since then, they are the #1 donut shop in town. It really payed off for them.
In fact, they are doing it once a quarter now and their business is thriving.
The key for Kmart is that they have serious problems with their business model from the quality of the stores, to higher prices than they should be and employee retention problems (and attitudes).
I have a little insight because my son worked at one for a few months and the problems in their store were systematic failures across the board.
If they don’t solve their main problems all driving more people into the stores will do is expose their issues even more and maybe cause a bigger rift?
Great post Mark. I really enjoyed it!
~ Don Purdum
Don Purdum recently posted…Why Failing is a Good Thing and 6 Ideas to Overcome Failure
Hi Mark,
Excellent Post!! It’s always good to think outside the box!!
I love the ideas you put together and how K-Mart went out of its way by helping others to use the word of mouth advertising which is the most effective way of advertising from long ago and still effective till today.
Great sales tips you mentioned here and it will sure help grow any business!!
Thanks Mark for a great share!! Have a great weekend ahead.
Be Blessed,
Neamat
Neamat Tawadrous recently posted…GIVING As An Effective Leadership Habit To Develop!
Thank you so much Neamat
I owe you a really big apology! I gave you the wrong blog post date!LOl!
Seriously, the one you absolutely have to read, without letting the cat out of the bag,
the correct date is 10-15!(I double checked!LOL!)
And the blog post is entitled: “Why your marketing success will ultimately rise to the size of your creative
marketing ideas!’
That’s the one I meant! You gotta read it! When you do, you’ll know why I was so insistent!
As always, thanks for your extremely kind words!
And for your continuous support! Both are greatly appreciated! And my post dated 10-15, will prove it!LOL!
Take care and continued success!