How Retailers are Drawing Shoppers this Season
December 16, 2014
Consumers have more options than ever when it comes to where they spend their money. Online retailers and brick and mortar stores are constantly looking for ways to stand out from their competitors. Which website offers free shipping? Who ships the fastest? Who opens earliest on Black Friday? What store has the best entertainment? Which websites has the lowest cyber Monday deals? Some retailers have gone even a step further for the 2014 holiday season. According to a recent article on Bloomberg.com, “Malls Woo U.S. Shoppers With Free Rides, ‘Frozen’ Palaces” by Carol Hymowitz and Lindsey Rupp, “Malls have found new ways to entice shoppers into their stores.”
2 California malls owned by the Caruso Affiliates LLC have teamed up with the popular transportation company, Uber to offer free rides to and from their locations to shoppers who spend $450.00 or more during the shopping trip. This could appeal to shoppers who intend to spend big, avoid the California freeways and the hassle of looking for parking during one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year.
The multi-brand retail clothing company J. Crew Group Inc., has a program “Very Personal Stylist” that allows shoppers the opportunity to shop outside the stores regular hours with a personal shopper. Shoppers can even have items selected for them before they arrive to even save more time in their busy schedules.
Retailers are hoping offering these “free with purchase” V.I.P. services to their customers will give them a competitive edge this holiday season. Would these incentives gain your business? What services could retailers offer to encourage you to shop with them over competitors?
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