Running a market stall or small retail business can be a challenging but rewarding experience. However, one of the biggest challenges companies face in these spaces is driving foot traffic to their physical locations. Sales can only improve with a steady flow of customers coming through the doors. Businesses can struggle to survive if this is not happening. 

So, what are some practical ways to drive shoppers to your market stall or store?

Partner with other businesses.

Collaborating with other local businesses is a great way to cross-promote and drive traffic to your location. Consider partnering with companies that are complementary to yours. For example, suppose you sell handmade jewellery. In that case, you could partner with a local clothing store to showcase your products in a joint promotion or in visual displays.

Host events.

Hosting events at your store or market stall can be a great way to attract new customers and build relationships with existing ones. Consider hosting workshops, if space allows, book signings, or other events related to your business. Like a knit and natter if you are a handcrafter. Promote these events through your social media channels, email list, and local media outlets.

Offer exclusive deals.

Everyone loves a good deal, and offering exclusive discounts or promotions can effectively drive foot traffic to your store. Especially if these are exclusive to an in-person visit and not available online. Consider offering discounts for first-time customers or creating a loyalty program to reward repeat customers.

Leverage social media.

Social media can be a powerful tool for driving people to your store or market stall. Always share high-quality photos and videos of your products on Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms. Consider running social media contests or giveaways to encourage followers to visit your location.

Use signage effectively.

Effective signage can make a big difference in driving people to your store or market stall. Use eye-catching, clean signage to highlight your products, promotions and prices. Use lighting and consider investing in signage that can be seen from the street or other areas of the market you trade at.

Attend local events.

Attending local events, such as farmers' markets or street fairs, and school summer and winter fairs can be a great way to connect with potential local customers and drive traffic to your store or market stall. You can cherry-pick these around your usual trading days or opening hours. Bring plenty of business cards, flyers, and other promotional materials to distribute to attendees who like paper. Using QR codes linked to your email list for those who want to scan and go! 

Invest in local SEO.

Local search engine optimisation (SEO) can effectively drive foot traffic to your physical location. Make sure your website is optimised for local search terms, such as "market stall [your city]" or "handmade jewellery [your town].

Create a memorable customer experience.

Creating a memorable customer experience can go a long way in driving foot traffic to your store or market stall. Consider offering samples of your products or creating a cosy atmosphere with comfortable seating, warm lighting, and scents to create a fantastic experience. This should also include all your transactional branding, like email receipts, branded bags etc.  

Network with other business owners.

Networking with other business owners in your area can be a great way to learn and connect with potential customers. Attend local networking events or join a business networking group to meet other like-minded entrepreneurs.

Use local advertising

Local advertising on third-party local websites, community radio stations, and local blog sites can effectively reach potential customers in your area. Consider targeting your advertising to specific neighbourhoods or postcodes to maximise your marketing pounds.

Provide exceptional customer service.

Providing exceptional customer service can be a powerful way to drive foot traffic to your store or stall. Train all your staff to be friendly and knowledgeable about your products and go above and beyond to help customers find what they need. If they don't buy this time around, then that's ok. There's always the next! 

Participate in local charity events.

Participating in local charity events can be a great way to give back to your community and drive people to your store or market stall. Consider sponsoring a charity event or donating some of your profits or a prize to a local nonprofit organisation.

Offer free samples.

Everyone loves a freebie. Offering free samples of your products is a great way to get customers to try your products and make a purchase. It can also build a positive relationship with potential customers, who are more likely to return to your store or stall. Consider offering free samples of your most popular products or new items you want to promote.

Create eye-catching displays.

Creating eye-catching displays will draw customers' attention to your store or stall. Use bright colours and exciting props to showcase your products and create a visually appealing display. Consider changing your displays regularly to keep things fresh and exciting for repeat customers. Remembering to incorporate seasonal themes like Easter, Halloween, and Mother's Day. 

Participate in local business directories.

Participating in local business directories, such as Yelp or Google My Business, and other localised sites can help potential customers find your store or market stall when searching online. Keep your listing up-to-date with accurate hours and contact information, and encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews.

Host a pop-up shop.

Hosting a pop-up shop in a different location can significantly expand your customer base and introduce your products to new audiences. Consider partnering with another local business to host a pop-up shop in a different neighbourhood or city. Or ask your landlord about other vacant properties they have that you can use in your wider location. 

Offer personalised recommendations.

Offering personalised recommendations to customers can help to build a positive relationship with them and potentially lead to repeat business. Train your staff to ask questions about customers' preferences and needs, and offer personalised product recommendations based on their answers.

Create an email list.

Creating an email list is an effective way to stay in touch with customers and promote your store, market stall, and online offering if you have one. Encourage customers to sign up for your email list in-store or online. Send regular newsletters about new products, upcoming events, exclusive promotions and general happenings at your business.

Partner with influencers.

Partnering with local influencers or bloggers can be a great way to reach new audiences and build buzz around your store or stall. Reach out to influencers in your niche and offer to collaborate on a sponsored post or event. You can also create influencer-specific offer codes that will give their followers money off online sales and a % of sales generated to the influencer. 

Offer a unique product or service.

Offering a unique product or service can help differentiate your store or market stall from competitors and attract customers looking for something different. Consider adding a custom product line or unique service to your offerings.

Use location-based ads.

Location-based ads, such as Facebook or Instagram ads targeted to users within a particular geographic area, will reach potential customers in your area. Consider running targeted ads during peak shopping times or around local events. Please consult an expert first, though (like us), as it's very easy to spend money on these platforms when there isn't a targeted plan, where you can end up losing money.

Participate in local business associations.

Participating in local business associations can be a great way to connect with other business owners in your area and learn about new opportunities. Consider joining your local chamber of commerce or other business association to get involved in your community.

Host a customer appreciation day.

Hosting a customer appreciation day can be a great way to show your customers how much you value their business and potentially drive footfall to your store or market stall. Consider offering special discounts or promotions on this day. Promote it through your social media channels, email list and website.

Create a loyalty program.

Creating a loyalty program can incentivise repeat business and drive foot traffic to your store or market stall. Consider offering discounts or free products to customers who make a certain number of purchases or spend a certain amount.

Participate in local gift guides.

Participating in local gift guides, such as those published by local media outlets or bloggers, can be a great way to reach potential customers during the holiday shopping season. Contact local publications and bloggers to inquire about opportunities to be featured in their gift guides.

Have fun.

Driving foot traffic to your market stall or store requires creativity, strategy, and persistence. By implementing some or all of the above tactics, you can increase visibility, build a positive reputation, and ultimately drive more customers through your doors. 

Remember to stay up-to-date with the latest marketing trends and technology while also focusing on building solid relationships with your customers. You can succeed and grow your business with the right mindset and approach.

If you'd like help with your marketing mix. We can help.

Local Marketing Made Easy is a full-service local marketing agency based in Greenwich, London. We can show you how a good marketing strategy can increase sales - ultimately putting more money in your pocket.

To see how we can help your business, call us on (0203) 303 0625 or book a callback request via the form below.