2020’s been a tough year for business! The coronavirus pandemic and ensuing lockdown restrictions brought sales to a shuddering stop for countless US operations. The result?

15,000 retail stores are expected to close permanently by the end of the year. Throw the rise of internet shopping and behemoths like Amazon into the mix and the future can seem bleak for people running mom-and-pop shops.

But there’s still hope!

Indeed, many of these micro-businesses are flourishing in spite of the challenges. If you play to your strengths and approach matters in the right way, then you can do the same.

Are you running a mom-and-pop store? Want some tips for making it work in a competitive world? You’re in the right place!

Keep reading for our top tips on beating the big boys of business in your industry.

Find Local Partners & Free Services

Trying to compete with big box stores is a risky move. With endless capital behind them, they can drop their prices to a level that’s unsustainable for almost all mom-and-pop shops.

However, that competition becomes far more feasible when you team up with other local businesses. Combining your resources could level the playing field.

For example, you could partner with someone in your industry to purchase inventory at better wholesale prices. With more margin on the products, you could then afford to lower your prices in store, making you more competitive in the process.

Where money’s tight and margin’s all-important, it makes sense to leverage free services whenever possible too. Whether you use a free check stub maker or internet security software, it’s sure to make a difference to your bottom line.

Get Involved In the Community

As a mom-and-pop store, the community in which you live is by far your biggest asset in the battle against big business.

After all, you actually know the people who come into the store! They might be your old high-school teacher, someone you used to babysit as a child or your neighbor from across the street. In other words, you have an established relationship from the outset.

You also have a level of access to the community that bigger brands don’t.

That’s why it’s in your interest to get involved at every opportunity. Give back in any way you can, attend local events, and so on. You’ll become a well-known part of the community, a trusted member of it, and develop your brand in the process.

Sell Specialty Inventory

You know your customers better than anybody. Heck, you might even know them on a first-name basis! That’s something big businesses can never hope to achieve.

Of course, this facilitates trust with the consumer, which is always good for business. But it also means you can stock your shelves with things you know people want. In communities with a predominant ethnic group, for example, there might be particular types of food that bigger stores don’t (or won’t) sell.

It’s up to you to identify these gaps in the market and proceed accordingly. Do some research! Head to the big chains and see where you can compete.

Focus on Customer Service

Good customer service is key to success in any business- especially when you’re running a mom-and-pop store! Why?

Because it’s the one area where the size of your business versus big box stores provides you with an actual advantage.

Basically, customer service gets harder when you’re operating at scale. With so many people calling up and/or coming through the door, it’s impossible to keep everybody happy. Customers become mere numbers on a spreadsheet instead of real people with stories and struggles.

As a small store, you can make everybody feel heard. You have an opportunity to go the extra mile and deliver exceptional service. Newfound customer satisfaction and loyalty arise at the same time.

Be Unique

Another advantage you have is the chance to show your personality!

Try as they might, everything about big box stores tends to feel generic, sterile, and devoid of character. By contrast, mom-and-pop stores have complete control over their image.

Part of the appeal may come down to the store’s quirks and eccentricities!

Imagine a second-hand book shop that’s piled high with old leather-bound books. It might be rough and ready around the edges- cluttered, higgledy-piggledy, and packed to the rafters with random accouterments. Far from being a problem, though, this authentic aesthetic makes it unique.

Take the same tack with your store. Stamp your personality on it and stand out from the big brands. It’s sure to become better-known in the community as a result.

Respond Quickly to Changing Demand

Having total control of the store works in your favor when it comes to meeting shifting demands as well. Whereas big chains have endless bureaucratic obligations to fulfill, you can switch things around in an instant.

That means your store can adapt to the latest craze, purchase relevant stock, and meet the specific needs of the hour. You’ve got the freedom to pivot, adapt, experiment, and alter course without having to pass through time-consuming red tape. The result?

You can move fast, be aggressive, and go on the offense with ease.

Take advantage of this valuable ability by being as flexible as possible in the store. Be vigilant for what’s hot at any given moment and move fast to secure the necessary inventory. You’re sure to enjoy better sales figures as an outcome.

See Success With Mom-And-Pop Shops

Mom-and-pop shops face a wealth of challenges in today’s world. There’s a huge amount of competition, a surge toward internet shopping, and enormous companies that take more than their fair share of the pie.

Attracting customers and generating enough revenue to flourish isn’t easy. But it’s definitely possible! As we’ve seen, the right insight and approach can deliver success to any local business.

We hope the tips in this post will help in that regard. Keep them in mind and your mom-and-pop store should survive and thrive in spite of the struggles.

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