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any success with liquor stores?

by pspro
5 replies
I came across a local liquor store that could really use some help with their online marketing but none of the area stores seem to be doing much either. I'm wondering if these guys make enough money to do any marketing? This is a small supermarket sized store.

Thanks,
Heidi
#liquor #stores #success
  • Profile picture of the author ryanjm
    No experience with that market, but I can tell you that 99% of people are going to choose a liquor store the same way they choose which McDonald's to go to: Find whatever's close.
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    • Profile picture of the author P1
      Originally Posted by ryanjm View Post

      No experience with that market, but I can tell you that 99% of people are going to choose a liquor store the same way they choose which McDonald's to go to: Find whatever's close.
      True. I don't see how a liquor store would want to market online unless they had some unique products or is a famous liquor store, if you watch a lot of those gangster/hood type movies you will know what I mean.
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    • Profile picture of the author Nick Surran
      Originally Posted by ryanjm View Post

      No experience with that market, but I can tell you that 99% of people are going to choose a liquor store the same way they choose which McDonald's to go to: Find whatever's close.
      But isn't it our job as marketers to sway their decision to go to the liquor store we tell them to go to? Although most people probably know where their closest liquor store is and may not be looking online for an alternative, some folks will be new to the neighborhood, so a mobile website and Google Places listings will help them find their closest liquor store. Then use SMS marketing to turn them into regulars.

      For example, there's a chain of liquor stores in my town that must have a very large advertising budget, because I see at least 3 television ads per day for them. I'm going to approach them and all of their competitors with an SMS marketing solution. Then, texts go out on all the major "drinking" holidays like St. Patrick's Day and Cinco de Mayo. Texts can go out to remind people to stock up before football games. Texts can go out when a new wine comes in, or when they have tastings in their store.

      Heck, it's liquor, so they can even make up "celebrations". Most people I know are always looking for a "reason" to get inebriated. Send a text saying "Arrr! It's Pirate Day, come in wearing an eye patch and get 20% off any purchase of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum."
      Signature

      I think Lime Cellular is the best white label SMS marketing platform.

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    • Profile picture of the author pspro
      Originally Posted by ryanjm View Post

      No experience with that market, but I can tell you that 99% of people are going to choose a liquor store the same way they choose which McDonald's to go to: Find whatever's close.
      while this may be true for those small mom and pop corner shops, I think that the specialty stores have a lot to offer the consumer as far a selection and we need to get their name and product selection out there so that they can increase their customer base. Liquor stores need volume to make a profit so it stands to reason that they would want to increase their sales with more traffic.

      @Iolaus - I'm on the same page as you! I know I can help this business grow with some drip marketing. This is going to be a fun one!
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      • Profile picture of the author SusieJones
        We have chain liquor stores and even drive up bottle shops (In Australia), and one thing they have all gotten into is loyalty cards/program - that can be an excellent way of getting return customers. Even a small store can create an effective loyalty program for their customers - one such program offers a free bottle of something after so many $$$ of purchases - seems like a nice treat when you get the certificate in the mail.

        YOu would have to find out a couple of things:
        A) do they even want to grow their business? People are funny - when I first started on this 4-5 years ago I talked to business owners and they were like - not that's ok, I have plenty of customers (to me a very short sighted point of view).. but it existed anyway
        B) Have the tell you what they want to do - the other lesson I learned from talking to business owners is that they know their business best and may already have ideas but not know how to implement them.

        One other tactic that the local stores are using is get 10-30% off when you buy 6 bottles of wine at a time - mixed or straight - that moves a fair bit of product.

        Hope this helps
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