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The idea of opening a business is not just about starting the process, it’s also focused on getting customers in and generating revenue for your company. Here are some ideas to help you get started with promoting your store after it opens its doors.
The “unique grand opening ideas” is a list of 16 ideas that are creative and can be used to promote your retail store. These ideas could also be used for other types of businesses.
A grand opening is essential for drawing new consumers, creating brand recognition, and networking with local companies. It can help any company that is starting up, expanding, or relocating. We discuss 16 concepts in this guide to elicit enthusiasm and interest from the community.
1. Organize a workshop or other special event.
Consider making your grand opening into a genuine celebration with a workshop or special event, rather than just opening your doors and having people shop. This provides prospective customers another incentive to come to your big opening and stay longer. A pet store may provide a session on how to create handmade dog treats, while a sports goods store could offer free run and gait analysis.
For the grand opening of its Seattle shop, Razer, a gaming gear, software, and service firm, sponsored a gaming competition. Streamers, players, and makers all have their own gaming zones. It even provided product modifications and an unpacking station for customers who wanted to document their visit on social media.
2. Inviting a Power Player
Influencer marketing is an amazing approach to reach a new audience with your business. It’s so effective that approximately 80% of brand marketers say they’ll utilize it in 2022. To generate awareness, invite influencers to your launch party and encourage them to capture and upload images using your branded hashtag before, during, and after the event. Consider a combination of well-known influencers with huge audiences and micro influencers with smaller but more engaged audiences.
3. Make a Facebook event page.
Creating an official Facebook event from your Facebook company page is a wonderful idea. Because it appears in local searches, this will help advertise your big opening. So, if a Facebook user is searching for things to do in their neighborhood, they could find your event, even if they’ve never heard of your company.
Additionally, users who RSVP to Facebook events get notified of any updates to the event page as well as reminders of the impending event. This is a terrific method to remain in the public eye while also hinting at your forthcoming big opening.
Include photographs and videos of the location on your Facebook event page that make it appear lively and recognizable—you don’t want people having difficulties locating your business. Details regarding your event, such as promotions, competitions, entertainment, and goods or services, should be shared.
Daily Basket, a shop established in North Carolina, first opened its doors in 2018. It used a special Facebook event page to publicize its formal grand opening. (Photo courtesy of Facebook)
4. Utilize geotargeted advertisements
You may target folks in your local region when you run a paid ad for your grand opening. This way, you won’t have to spend money on marketing targeting California consumers if your business is in North Carolina.
For geotargeted marketing, Facebook ads are an excellent option. You may direct viewers to a landing page outside of Facebook by promoting your Facebook event page. You may also target local searches using Google ads. We compare Facebook vs. Google Ads to help you decide which is best for you—but you may use both.
5. Donate to a Good Cause
According to one IBM survey, consumers are becoming more interested in corporations’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs, which surged during the COVID-19 epidemic. In addition, 84 percent of customers consider sustainability while selecting a brand. Furthermore, 62 percent of respondents said they would adjust their purchasing habits to decrease their negative environmental effect, and more than half said they would pay extra to purchase from “environmentally responsible” firms.
With your big opening, you may capitalize on these customer inclinations. Feature a charity or give funds to a cause that is important to both you and your consumers. The MarketFront shopping and dining area of Seattle’s iconic Pike Place Market debuted with a grand opening. The Pike Place Market Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports local causes, held the event.
While the collaboration in that scenario is more easy, the concept may be applied to your shop even if you don’t have a charitable division. Here are a few more grand opening ideas that help a good cause:
- Invite local animal rescue groups to your pet store for an adoption expo.
- Organize a blood drive at your local sports goods store.
- Participate in a toy drive at your children’s clothes store.
6. Provide a Freebie
Giveaways and competitions are a guaranteed method to attract new consumers to your grand opening, and victors are more likely to become paying customers. According to eMarketer, up to 75% of giveaway winners would return to make a purchase in the future. As a result, gifts are excellent not only for increasing foot traffic to your event, but also for increasing sales after the big opening. The first person in line for the grand launch of RazerStore Seattle received a free flagship product, while the first 500 people in line received gifts.
7. Provide a map of your current location.
You want to make it as simple as possible for visitors to locate your grand opening, whether it’s in your shop or an event place. One method to achieve this is to give a map and directions—and it’s even better if you can include photos of the location so visitors know what to look for.
You should also make sure that you’ve claimed your Google My Business page and that the information on it is accurate. Pay special attention to the location, since this is what many people use to acquire instructions using a GPS navigation program.
On any landing pages, websites, emails, Facebook event pages, and other digital messages announcing the grand opening, include a link to your Google Maps location. If feasible, provide a snapshot or an integrated Google Maps window.
On the landing page of their big opening celebration, Serafina in San Juan incorporated a Google Maps embed. (Photo courtesy of Serafina)
8. Organize a musical performance
Entertainment increases foot traffic and exposes your business to the audience of the performer. This big opening concept transforms your opening into a genuine event, a sought-after destination. This is a great way to attract attention and passersby if your store is in a high-traffic area.
Daily Basket engaged a local band to provide music for customers during its grand launch. If you decide to go this way, make sure your hired band, vocalist, or DJ has a designated room with easy access to power outlets. Inquire about local permission needs as well.
Collaboration with other businesses is number nine.
When it comes to your big opening, partnering with another company might help you reach a new audience. And the possibilities are endless: you may invite several merchants to your event. Business partnerships, such those with influencers or musicians, place your brand in front of an already established, trustworthy, and defined audience.
Consider companies that cater to a similar demographic and provide related items. You may invite a local fashion designer and a footwear company if you sell jewelry.
When Silver Antelope, formerly Gotamago Studio, had its first grand opening, it included a number of local merchants.
10. Begin with a Gentle Initiation
A soft opening is a terrific method to put your grand opening plans to the test before going all-in and opening to the public. Your soft opening will most likely be on a smaller scale, and it will serve as an excellent testing and training ground for you and your team before the big event.
Grand Opening vs. Soft Opening
A soft opening is comparable to a big opening, however it only invites a small number of people. Friends, family, loyal clients (if you already have any), investors, and others with strong ties to the business and/or owner are often invited to a soft opening.
Starting with a soft opening not only allows you to sort out the wrinkles, but it also allows you to begin generating anticipation and buzz for your big event. The soft opening may be used to gather images, testimonials, and other resources to advertise the grand opening.
11. Make a “sale” of tickets
You may utilize a ticketing service like Eventbrite to allow people to “purchase” tickets to your grand opening. In the vast majority of circumstances, you will not charge for these tickets. Customers may instead RSVP by giving their email address and other basic information of their choosing—a terrific way to start developing your email list and nurturing those interactions.
Furthermore, several of these networks will notify attendees about the next event, improving their chances of attending. Additionally, you may get waivers or permissions (such as picture release papers) via your ticketing procedure.
12. Use Signage to Attract Shoppers
If you’re in a high-traffic location, you may draw attention to your grand opening by using imaginative signs. Consider adding a banner or lights to your storefront sign to bring more attention to it and make it evident that something exceptional is going on.
Here are some more ideas for company signs:
- Sign Spinning: If your company is near a high-traffic area (pedestrian or vehicle), a sign spinner can be useful. When you hire a sign spinner, you run the danger of their acrobatics being the focus of attention rather than the company.
- Sidewalk/Chalk Advertising: This guerilla marketing technique is common on college campuses and high-traffic locations. They only survive a few days, but in that period they may get a lot of attention. Because the legality of sidewalk advertisements varies by locality, it’s definitely okay to chalk up there if you notice a lot of them. For particular restrictions, you should always check with your local chamber of business.
- Balloons, banners, and signs: These festive touches may help your company stand out.
13. Serve Food & Refreshments
Food, like freebies and music, may attract visitors to your big opening. Of course, if you’re starting a food-related company, you’ll have to serve these goods. If you don’t sell food or beverages, though, you’ll want to make sure you follow all of the rules.
If you’re planning on serving food and beverages, here are a few pointers:
- Check the requirements for licenses and food safety certificates in your region.
- If you plan to offer alcohol, be sure you’re following the law. This will very certainly include obtaining extra permissions or licenses, as well as employing and training personnel.
- To keep your workers and visitors safe, make sure that all food service follows the CDC’s recommended criteria, particularly with COVID-19. Consider premade goodies, which are potentially safer and allow visitors to take them home.
Native Poppy, a flower shop in San Diego, had a grand opening ceremony. It included room and music for dancing, as well as light refreshments and beverages, in addition to shopping. This resulted in some excellent stuff.
14. Offer Discounts & Deals
Discounts and special offers are ideal for a big opening. Consider extending them for at least a week after the event to enable customers who were unable to attend to take advantage of the discounts. Make sure to publicize them and include an expiry date in your marketing.
15. Distribute Freebies
People who attend your grand opening may get complimentary presents or goodie bags. Small goods from other local companies, branded promotional products, or, better yet, complimentary samples of your own products might be put together. Make sure to add a business card or printed logo as a reminder of your brand or event.
Here are some more general suggestions:
- Face masks with a logo
- Ear plugs
- Hand sanitizers for travel
- Covers for laptop webcams
- Cleaners for screens
- Chargers for travel
16. Write & Distribute a Press Release
A well-written and well circulated press release in the run-up to and after your grand opening may assist draw in visitors and consumers. We offer a detailed guide on writing a grand opening press release, and you can also go at our other resources:
Conclusion
The year 2022 is ideal for starting a retail company. People are gradually adjusting to the new normal and regaining confidence in in-person buying. Using one or more of these grand opening ideas is a terrific way to share that enthusiasm with prospective customers and make your occasion one to remember.
The “grand opening social media posts examples” is a blog post that lists 16 ideas to promote your retail store. The article includes links to some of the best social media posts that have been done by other retail stores.
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