Local Retail Promotion Ideas

I first became interested in local retail promotion ideas nearly 20 years ago when I moved to a small town in central New York state here in the U.s.

I had no concept of marketing at the time, other than what I'd seen on television. So when I opened a brand new business, right out of college, well, let's just say the business was doomed before it ever got going.

My marketing plan consisted of a yellow page ad and word of mouth - my mouth. It was probably the most passive plan, if you could call it a plan, in business history! I was out of business in less than a year, but I knew what I had to learn for future projects: MARKETING.

A small, specialty local retail store can survive for a while in a small market on just barebones marketing strategy, but a business owner who wants real success needs an active marketing plan to stay ahead of changes to the local retail and economic environment.

I can think of a few businesses in my town that appear to rely only on location and good foot traffic to stay open!

New promotion ideas help. Customer service is essential. But the retail industry is tough at best, even in a more densely populated geographic area. But if your business is located in a more rural area, you need a proactive marketing plan.

A small, local retail store has to have a bold and consistent marketing plan. And small business marketing in a small town can 't just rely on the occassional press release or an ad in a yearly coupon book. Good marketing takes monthly, weekly and daily effort to keep your business growing.

Plus, times and market conditions change. Our little town, which had practically no big box retail 20 years ago, is now brimming with WAlMart, Kohls, Target, Home Depot, Lowes, and large national chain restaurants.

But the small, local retail store can still survive - even thrive. The trick is to play a different game than the other small shops and from the big players.

I've spent the past nearly 20 years learning and applying these concepts - and I've used them and seen them in action in multiple industries.

So whether you own

a small fabric store,
a sporting goods store,
restaurant,
grocery delivery business,

or if you are a small-town professional services provider, such as

a real estate or mortgage broker,
a chiropractor,
a massage therapist,
nutritionist,
accountant,
pet sitting service,
dentist,

there's a powerful, proactive local retail marketing plan to suit your needs.

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