Can You Operate Your Store By Bringing It Outdoors?

All across Canada, businesses are beginning to open back up. However, to say that things are going back to being “business as usual” would be incorrect. There’s nothing usual about operating a business during the coronavirus pandemic. Needless to say, it’s vital to ensure that steps are taken to keep all customers and employees safe.

It’s important to reiterate that such steps include placing markers on the floor to remind visitors of physical distancing protocol, making hand sanitizer readily available and insisting upon masks being worn in your store. But, is it possible to sell your products without having anyone enter your store at all? Are you able to operate your store by bringing it outdoors?

Do you have enough real estate in front of your place of business?

This is the first and most obvious question to answer. How much space do you have in front of your store? If there is ample real estate, you may wish to consider bringing your product displays outside. That way, you can encourage visitors to peruse through your items in the open air. This can help both your staff members and your customers feel safer about their interactions with others as it promote physical distancing.

Bringing your store outdoors also offers a secondary benefit. The optics will be alluring. It’s more eye-catching to passers-by when your products are on display outside. The mere image of a “yard sale” type of atmosphere is totally in keeping with summertime festivities to begin with. So when you bring your store outdoors, you’ll both encourage more summer shoppers to visit and work to keep everyone safe from the spread of the coronavirus.

What steps should be taken to advertise your new outdoor store?

Take to social media right away. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram especially are great places to post pictures of your new outdoor store. Be sure to announce the fact that customers can not only browse through items but make purchases without having to enter your store at all. It’s wise to be mindful that, for some consumers, visiting brick and mortar store locations is still something they’d like to avoid.

Use your social media posts to convey your dedication to maintaining a safe shopping environment. Note that physical distancing is still being practiced even though shoppers can remain outside while doing their shopping. Also inform your followers that people may still enter your store. Remember that taking products outside gives you a lot more open space to help promote physical distancing. You may, of course, have to take your marketing efforts further.

Do you need assistance advertising your new initiative?

At Synergy Merchants, we’re very well aware of how tough COVID-19 has been on small business owners all over Canada. Our team remains committed to assisting entrepreneurs with growing their companies – not just keeping them afloat. We understand if advertising dollars aren’t easy to come by these days. Why don’t we have a quick discussion about the possibility of our team helping you out?

For information about our unique merchant cash advance program, please don’t hesitate to call Synergy Merchants at 1-877-718-2026 or email us at info@synergymerchants.com. You can also apply online for a free, no obligation quote!