Under the easing restrictions, KBB retailers have now had their first week back in business and been open to invite customers into their showrooms. After a tumultuous twelve months, lots has changed and whilst many are raring to go, many others are still unnerved by the “new normal” and the remaining uncertainty.
To support its retailers in being confident to reopen their businesses once again, Wilsonart’s Sales Leader, Nick Jones, shares 5 practical tips from leading laminate worksurface brand, Bushboard to instil confidence and provide guidance to its retail partners.
Review your collections
Many retailers have been open for just four months out of the last twelve. A year is a long time in the design world and new trends have started to emerge. Now is the time to observe what customers are asking for and also demonstrate that you are at the cutting edge of kitchen design. Speak to your suppliers about trends, ask for look books and make sure you have the latest decors. In worktops, for example, the result of people living, working and cooking at home non-stop for 12 months is an increasing trend for surfaces that replicate natural materials from the outside as a way of creating a sense of disconnection from our busy lifestyles. With the kitchen becoming a multi-purpose space, broken-plan designs are on the rise and both contrasting and complementing worktop designs will be used to help separate different zones of the kitchen. However, the kitchen needs to seamlessly blend into the rest of the living décor so 22mm square-edged worktops will become increasingly popular to help achieve this sense of continuity.
Ensure you have these offerings on display! If you need further support on which trend-led surfaces will catch consumers’ attention, Bushboard’s business support team have a trend guide to help you find the right choice.
Market yourself
Now that stores are open again the competition is back on. How are you staying fresh, unique and innovative? Is your website and social media up to date? Don’t forget that presence is key. With Bushboard’s Resource Centre, printed materials and lifestyle imagery for every range are available for download and use across your websites, social and email, making a digital spring clean easy.
Make it Covid safe
Whilst it might seem obvious, ensuring a really positive and safe visit for your customers will really enhance their shopping experience. Retailers that are seen to be going above and beyond can really make all the difference when it comes to selling. Make the most of hands-free digital brochures – download from the Bushboard Resource Centre and make available on a tablet or phone and add to your website so people can browse using their own device if preferred.
Embrace the virtual appointment system
Some customers just don’t feel ready to come back into stores just yet. If you’ve been running virtual appointments now is a great time to keep maintaining this service. It’s a great option for streamlining those initial customer visits as you may be able to fit two to three online in the same time as one prospective client would take in store. Offering both options ensures that everyone still feels valued and wanted as a customer and that no one is excluded.
Make sure your displays are up to date
Whilst the retail sector has been closed, many brands have been working hard on revitalising their displays, POS and marketing support so that it’s in top condition for retailers when they reopen. Did you know that with brands like Bushboard it’s really easy to order a range of POS including stands, signage and brochures? Ensure you are communicating with your supplier partners to see what support and resources they can offer you! If you stock both Bushboard’s Omega and Options collections you can take advantage of a full-sized display worktop for your showroom completely free of charge.