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Guest post by: John Clark Become an Author

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Despite the convenience and availability of online shopping, many consumers, especially those in higher age demographics prefer shopping at a concrete retail location. One of the oldest methods of increasing retail locations sales is through increasing foot traffic, and nothing attracts customers to a location like the word free. One common marketing mistake that many retail location owners make is becoming fixated on the idea that the free item they are giving away has to be something they wish to sell to the customer. When it comes to increasing generic foot traffic, this could not be further from the truth.

Free items unrelated to the primary niche of the retail location are an exceptionally effective way of increasing foot traffic because they attract customers that may otherwise have not been interested in a particular product. Food and beverages, especially on a hot or cold day, are the perfect way of getting customers in the door. Additionally, item giveaways that include branded towels, T-shirts, or cups, serve to not only attract consumers, but they also function as low level advertising.

Another effective way to utilize item giveaways for long-term growth is through the collection of consumer information in exchange for the free item. Emails and personal addresses are a great way to send potential customers circulars, coupon books, and special offers. Even the most privacy oriented customers are likely to exchange their information for free item, no matter how minor it may seem.

In the case of item giveaways involving retail location specific products, the most important aspect of the marketing plan is having a strategy to transition the consumer from a gift recipient to a paying customer. The most effective free item giveaway programs are operated in concert with sales or other price reduction strategies. This allows the consumer to transition smoothly from free, to half-price, to full-price. Rapid transitions leave consumers feeling taken advantage of with often overall negative feelings towards the brand in general.

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Referred by: http://www.saveonquotes.com

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