Question

Topic: Advertising/PR

Grand Opening Ideas To Wow

Posted by Anonymous on 1/16/2010 at 11:48 AM ET 250 Points
I am looking for some creative and out of the box grand opening ideas for a retail drug store. We are located in a rural tourist town. This town is know for it's outdoor activities, scenery as well as hosting 2 winter Olympics. We have been in the area for several years, however it has been in an old, off the beaten path shopping mall that doesn't have any foot traffic. We now have a brand new store is a central location in town and are hoping to attract new business. I am looking to some creative ideas to wow the local as well as the tourist market. Nothing is too crazy so please, throw anything out there. All ideas are welcome.
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  • Posted by Gary Bloomer on 1/16/2010 at 1:53 PM Member
    Dear captaincoleslaw03,

    Your new location? Is it on a main street or on a busy street?

    If it is, the simplest way to attract attention is to work with the town planning commission and, if local rules permit it, get a double-sided banner between two buildings near your front door.

    On the banner just have the words "(Name of drugstore) Now open! 123 Main St. Come see us!"

    That, and have someone wear a sandwich board and get them to walk up and down main street giving out opening day discount coupons or offers, or opening month coupons.

    Simply tell people what you offer, what those offers can do for them, and where you are. Then, brief and train your staff so they all know what offers are on when and for how long.

    Pretty simple, but that's probably all you need for a small town.
    Your new location ought to do a lot of your heavy lifting for you, but just tell people when you're open and where to find you.

    I hope this helps. Good luck to you.

    Gary Bloomer
    Wilmington, DE, USA
  • Posted by Gary Bloomer on 1/16/2010 at 2:00 PM Member
    Dear captaincoleslaw03,

    One more thing. Forget trying to wow people with your marketing.

    Instead, wow them with your killer customer service, with your astonishing values, and with your jaw dropping benefits.

    Make your customers feel wanted, appreciated, welcome, excited, and educated. Take time to get to know them. As questions about their families (as appropriate) and be sure to REMEMBER those details and use them the next time those customers come back.

    And give a way small, low-cost (to you), but high perceived (to your customers) freebies but DO NOT advertise this fact. You need to create a delight factor, a "wow" moment that makes people want to come back to see what else you'll do.

    And these little offers? They must change. There must be constant amazement, there must be continual reasons to make people remark to their friends about your service and all the little things you do.

    It's NOT the big stuff that matters. Many companies think it is but they're wrong. It's the small stuff, THAT's what brings people back again and again.

    Again, I hope this helps.

    Gary Bloomer
    Wilmington, DE, USA
  • Posted by marketbase on 1/17/2010 at 8:14 PM Accepted
    Play up the 2 winter olympics theme (especially relevant right now!) Coupons designed to mimic gold, silver and bronze medals...Any chance you might be able to hire a (former) competitor/athlete as a focal point for a special event (aimed maybe at local school children)? Sled racing, temporary community skating rink, etc. Great potential for local media and press... Donate proceeds from any event to local charity always is a smart and good thing to do...

    best,
    jag
    MarketBase
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