What exactly is the shopping experience and how does it influence increasing sales?

The shopping experience encompasses all the interactions and impressions a consumer had on the day of purchase with a company. It may begin when the consumer sees your ad, e.g. on Google, social media, a billboard, or even directly on your website. The next stage is the purchase of the product itself, which can also take various forms and be accompanied by related emotions. But that is not the end. The shopping experience also covers the post-purchase phase – waiting to take the item home, using it and possibly contacting the company with any questions, exchanges or returns.

Some people view shopping itself as something positive. If we combine this with the concept of “generating an experience” — as something that not only sells a product, but rather consciously records a memory through the experience — we are indeed talking about something very good. It delights the consumer and brings the brand many benefits. An example of this are the “Instagrammable” spaces offered in several places, where the main goal is to get people to take photos and post them on their Instagram profiles, of course tagging the store. An example of such a place is the Melissa Gallery:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixZzOp_B55U&ab_channel=melissachannel

 

Consumer behaviour has been modified along with the development of technology and changes in society. Creating positive shopping experiences allows you to stand out from the competition and builds longer-lasting relationships with customers.

8 tips on how to increase sales:

1. Know your customer

Conduct research, analyse and make data-driven decisions, not guesses.

2. Be transparent in your actions

Sooner or later the truth will come out anyway. Transparency is undoubtedly one of the pillars of a good experience — after all, nobody wants to be deceived. Nowadays the consumer has access to all kinds of information, so hiding something from them certainly won't last long.

3. Offer several options

This doesn't mean offering EVERY option in the world, but all possible options related to your sales profile. Above all, they should be present in the product catalogue, in payment, shipping, delivery and exchange or return methods and terms.

4. Share knowledge and information

If possible, publish posts or videos with information about your brand or the companies you cooperate with, about products, services, benefits, interesting facts, etc.

5. Recommend complementary items and create sets

Create suggestions of items similar or complementary to those viewed by the customer — for example, when selling a candlestick, offer a candle as a suggestion.

6. Be engaged

People are increasingly concerned about social and environmental issues. Knowing that your brand cares about these things and supports related initiatives matters enormously to them.

7. Take care of after-sales service

Shopping doesn't end once the sale is made. A customer who is unhappy with your product or service may spread a negative image of your brand among other consumers. That's why staying in contact with the customer after the transaction is so important.

8. Satisfaction surveys

Give customers the opportunity to express their opinion about the purchase of the product, the service, the delivery or anything else in your store.


  Follow these tips and you will certainly achieve great results! With diligence, organisation and the right resources, it is possible to generate positive and memorable experiences for customers that will translate into increased sales.