Years ago, Saturdays were big in the local newsagency. Shops were full and humming. Back when lottery draws were fewer, Sunday trading was a rarity, and late-night shopping wasn’t a thing – Saturdays were it! Those days might be gone, but that doesn’t mean Saturdays can’t be big again for any local retail newsagency.
The key reinvigorating Saturdays is a thoughtful, planned approach that makes Saturdays special in your store. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Make your shop a Community Hub:
- Fundraisers: Invite local groups to fundraise inside or outside your shop. Let them feature their local work for locals..
- Local Clubs: Start a club that connects with your products with local. A knitting circle, jigsaw club, a mindfulness group, local cooks sharing local recipes.
- Show and tell. Bring in a local with specialist knowledge relating to items you sell. Ask them to do a talk, to share knowledge.
Make it Fun!:
- New Product Showcase: Saturdays can be your “New Arrivals Day.” Unpack the latest stock with fanfare and make it a reason for customers to visit.
- Interactive Saturdays: Let customers play with new products, sample games, or get creative with craft supplies.
- Host a competition: paper plane making and flying for example, or the best yoyo tricks.
- Teach: How to make paper mache, how to play marbles, how to play hopscotch.
Sweeten the Deal:
- Free Treats: Partner with a local bakery to offer a free slice of cake at a set time each Saturday, or a butcher to feature their awesome sausages.
- Lucky Draws: Hold in-store draws for lottery or other prizes. Being present boosts a customer’s chance of winning!
Visually Appealing:
- Shop Refresh: Make Saturdays a day for a big display overhaul. Fresh layouts and eye-catching presentations will draw customers in.
Promotional Power:
- Saturday Savers: Develop a “Saturday Savers” campaign with special deals and discounts exclusive to Saturdays.
- Weekend deal. From, say, noon, offer deals for items you want to be rid of by the end of the week. get known for these deals.
Reinvigorating Saturdays in your shop
These are just a springboard for ideas. Tailor your strategy to your shop and its products. Focus on what drives sales for you, not necessarily what other local businesses might be doing.
Here is a choice you can make: do nothing and Saturdays will continue to be what they have been. Or, do something considerably different, chase change. If what you do works, celebrate. if it does to work, learn, adjust and go again.
My point is that Saturdays are not what they used to be and we need to change that.