Monthly subscriptions to products and services are economically smart investments for retailers and customers
With a recession looming and gas prices still at record-high levels, customers are tightening their grip on their wallets. But this doesn’t mean they’ll be turning their backs on convenience store purchases and there are ways you can weather the impending storm. Monthly subscriptions to products and services are economically smart investments for retailers and customers.
Subscriptions Help Retailers Plan Ahead
Monthly subscriptions to products and services can help retailers plan for the month ahead.
A paid subscription is guaranteed income for that month and likely many more months to follow. Knowing that a certain number of customers will redeem their items at a regular interval will help planning for staff and inventory.
Further, it is safe to assume that customers will buy adjacent category items and with a little data mining, you will know just what they’ll be hungering or thirsting for and make appealing offers available.
Subscribers are also automatic customers, meaning that they will frequent the store to which they subscribe more than any similar store.
They’re hooked, and they’re all yours.
Subscriptions Help Customers Budget Their Spend By Making Economically Smart Investments
In an economic downturn, every cent matters to cash-strapped shoppers. However, being able to pay for purchases in advance thorough subscription will help a customer pre-plan their monthly budget.
When marketing a subscription program, explain the financial incentives to pre-purchasing that month’s beverages or car washes. If a shopper takes full advantage of their unlimited product or service, then they ultimately will also be saving money on a per-item basis and making an economically smart investment. Additionally, rewarding subscribers with exclusive discounts for complementary category items will further make them feel special and translate to higher basket sizes at checkout.
Consumers may shy away from big purchases like vacations, day trips to amusement parks or even dining out. But, in the 2008 recession, consumers were apt to reward themselves with small indulgent items like candy bars, specialty coffees and drinks. It would make sense they may wish to extend the life of their car by treating it to car washes, as well. Pre-planning these purchases with a monthly subscription can help make your store a destination after a long workday or on a weekend as a special treat.
Learn more about implementing an app-based subscription program by downloading this free Liquid Barcodes e-book.
Subscription Payment Using ACH Instead of Credit Cards
Credit card fees and interest rates hurt everyone involved. Retailers know the strain exorbitant credit card fees have on their operational expenses and consumers who carry a balance on their credit cards also feel the pain of interest rates. In fact, financial experts are urging consumers to pay for purchases using cash or debit cards to avoid adding to their credit card debt.
One way to circumvent this expense on both ends is to offer ACH as a payment choice for subscriptions. While it can take a few more steps for a customer to enter banking information, both retailer and customer will ultimately save money in the end and will be most convenient with the stored payment method. Liquid Barcodes has developed a streamlined process to reduce the number of steps needed to accept ACH. Learn how to successfully convert your customers to ACH by downloading this free Liquid Barcodes e-book.
Be a Bright Spot in a Dreary Day
When times are tough, a small treat or a familiar favorite can brighten someone’s day. When customers feel cared for, they’ll reward you with their visits. By caring about the economic well-being of customers, you may brighten their day by taking the thought out of their purchases and inviting them to become an automatic customer.
About Liquid Barcodes
Liquid Barcodes is a leading global loyalty and digital marketing technology company specializing in the convenience and foodservice industries. The proprietary, cloud-based technology platform allows retailers to create and manage their digital marketing campaigns with a process called the “customer connection cycle’ to engage, promote and reward customers’ activities in real-time across digital and media channels.
Liquid Barcodes loyalty platform is powering loyalty programs for industry leaders across several global markets, by offering unique subscription, mobile payment programs, machine learning, personalization, gamification, loyalty, and other capabilities.
Learn more about Liquid Barcodes at LiquidBarcodes.com.
About the Author
Carolyn Schnare, Chief Content Officer, Liquid Barcodes
Carolyn Schnare has been involved with the convenience retailing industry for two decades with extensive knowledge of customer engagement and marketing, sustainability, and community outreach. Prior to Liquid Barcodes, Schnare worked at NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores) in a variety of roles from event production to membership and most recently as Director of Strategic Initiatives and host and producer of the popular industry podcast, Convenience Matters. Schnare currently anchors the popular Shop Talk LIVE! video series produced by Global Convenience Store Focus media group.
