Many newsagents are stocking up for Mother’s Day and receiving products purchased at recent gift fairs. Now is a perfect time to schedule an open house, an event where you invite shoppers to check out new ranges and get in some good value buying at a closed-door event.
Open house events are popular among US retailers. They are simple to run:
- Run the open house when you would usually be closed.
- Usually for two hours, three hours tops.
- Invite customers in the mail and with an over the counter flyer.
- Be strict on numbers in case you get too full.
- Have the featured products on show prominently – show people what the fuss is about, what you want them to buy.
- Offer attendees a discount on purchases.
- Consider setting a theme. the shop has to look different to usual.
- Have catering.
- Support a local charity. For example, 5% of all purchases to the charity – set your shopper discount to not hurt GP too much.
- Remember, this should be a premium event – make it so.
A good open house will attract new shoppers and renew a buzz among existing shoppers. It gets people talking about your business and gives an opportunity to make a fresh pitch.