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The end of the year is a wonderful time to reflect on personal and professional growth. Additionally, the end of the year is also the perfect time to consider how you can move forward and escalate your success. A new year means businesses’ trying out new lucrative trends and the world of retail is no different. Here are some excellent ways that retail businesses are expanding their horizons in 2019.
Subscriptions
2018 saw the rise in online subscriptions packages and the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down. However, 2019 will see retailers taking their subscription services up a notch by making them completely customizable.
Customers want to feel as though what they’re getting is uniquely catered to their interests or made specifically for them. Including easily customized items like samples of related products or accessories like custom printed patches can help you establish a relationship with customers, and it can be a great opportunity to gain some free social media promotion.
Experiences
A trend that received some momentum this year that is sure to be a success in the future is the idea of creating an immersive experience rather than just products. Pop-ups were a big deal this year for many retailers as they get a lot of attention on social media, and they target consumers’ specific interests.
The idea of the ‘experience’ in 2019 will see brands move away from just promoting a new product line and focusing on the utilization of a product with styling and sampling.
Socialize
Having a social media presence is a business standard in today’s market, however, in 2019, using social media will be all about creating and sustaining a brand community. Customers love when their favorite brands communicate with them through social media. More engaging social media activity is a must (this could also be in the form of bots or AI).
Campaigns focused on specific products, demographics, or promotions create great word of mouth marketing opportunities among like-minded customers. Social media also connects like-minded individuals, not only to your brand, but also to all the other users who interact with it. If someone online sees another customer using your product in ways they feel fit their lifestyles, it can have a huge purchasing influence.
Sustainability
More and more consumers are eyeing brands that include an eco-friendly initiative. With current research available, sustainability and environmental impact is the forefront of many shoppers’ minds; and a lot of brands have already taken notice. Many brands have already taken steps to reduce packaging waste and use more environmentally-friendly production procedures to ease shoppers’ minds.
Being eco-friendly doesn’t have to be complicated. Try using packaging materials that are completely recyclable, or have staff wear reusable styrene name badges from a company like StickerYou. It isn’t difficult to go green, and focusing on some of the small details can result in significant brand loyalty.
