Rewarding Customers for Walking-In is the ‘IN Thing for Retailers Today'

Retail therapy is the best therapy to beat the blues. Post an overextended period of lockdown, as much as everyone seemed enthusiastic to go and shop to their heart’s content, there were many safety concerns. However, the retail community in India ensured that they not just addressed these worries but also designed enthralling marketing strategies to entice people back into their stores. Here’s a quick look at things that worked to create sales way above the expectations of the retailers…

- Zainab S Kazi

Critics who predicted the eventual death of offline retail during the lockdown period are now eating their words considering that post lockdown, not only did India witness a lot many brands opening new stores but also saw quite a few international brands taking a leap of faith by either expanding their presence or entering the Indian retail space, for example – Desigual opening their first online store in India in October at the DLF Avenue Mall and Japanese eyewear brand Owndays opening their first store in Mumbai.

But what truly led to people to step out and shop – other than of course, the urge to just be out of the house after months? Brands which targeted and rewarded consumers via the social media during the lockdown and offered heavy discounts and other schemes and prizes saw major footfalls post the lockdown – this despite the Big Billion Day and Prime Day sales on various e-commerce platforms. In fact, especially around the festive season, the crowds at stores were a sight to behold. One look at the crowd gathered at Mumbai’s New Beauty Centre at Khar would have led anyone to dismiss the fear of the pandemic as a myth. Lucky Draws and surprise gifts created magic, compelling people to venture out and shop.

Pulling in the Footfalls