Retail Marketing Definition
The marketing cycle completes when the final product/service is delivered to the target audience. Consumers use the product and decide whether the business fulfilled its promise or not. It is, therefore, crucial to get the distribution strategy spot on.
One of the main components of distribution is retailing. The core function of retailing is to sell the product/service to the end user. However, it also deals with store advertising, inventory management, and creating a shopping experience for customers.
Retailing is the last link in the distribution chain of a business where the products are sold to the end users.
Retail marketing involves various activities, from store advertisement to product assortment. The main aims are to evoke customers' interest in the products and give them a good shopping experience.
Retail marketing refers to the steps taken by retailers to attract customers to buy their products/services.
Friendly and helping store representatives add value to the overall shopping experience for customers by assisting them in their purchase processes. It also makes the whole process safe and secure for the customers.
Fig. 1 - A fashion retail store
Retail Marketing Strategies
Developing and executing the right retail marketing strategies is the key to gaining a competitive advantage and achieving higher ROI – return on investment.
Retail marketing strategy: Segmentation and targeting
The first step is to segment the market to identify the target audience. The market data about consumer preferences, buying patterns, and demographics could help identify the target audience. Once the target audience is identified, develop strategies to cater to their needs effectively.
Retail marketing strategy: Differentiation and positioning
It is important for retailers to differentiate themselves by creating a distinct position in the market. It helps because prospective customers have a variety of options in terms of retail stores. Retail stores could differentiate themselves based on the product/service offered and the target market they want to focus on. For instance, a discount retail store takes a position based on pricing i.e., offering low-pricing products.
Retail marketing strategy: Marketing mix
Product strategy refers to the kind of products customers can expect to find in the retail store. It is based on the preferences of the target audience. Products could be exclusive, store labeled, and tailored. For instance, if the customer base is variety-seeking, retailers will store a wide variety of products.
Pricing strategy has a big impact on customers. Retailers often opt for different kinds of pricing strategies. Competitive pricing and everyday low pricing are some examples of pricing strategies.
Promotion strategy deals with in-store and out-store advertising and the strategic placement of promotional messages in a store. Its aim is to attract customers toward a specific product.
Place strategy is about the store location. It is the most important strategy in retailing. Store locations must be accessible to customers and consistent with the retail positioning.
IKEA is a big name in the retailing industry. It was founded in 1943 to provide home furnishing products to the middle-class segment of society. Now, it has close to 500 stores in 49 markets worldwide. Superior customer service is central to the marketing campaigns of the company. Through its marketing activities, it has formed a strong brand identity. IKEA relies majorly on digital marketing to give a consistent message to its target audience.
Fig. 2 - Ikea store
The retail marketing strategies along with marketing mix elements create value for customers.
Characteristics of Retail Marketing
Retail marketing contains the following characteristics:
Importance of Retail Marketing
Retail marketing is the last link in the distribution channel and contributes significantly to customer satisfaction. It offers convenience to the customers and encourages them to shop more. It uplifts customers' lifestyles by offering them affordable products.
Retailers extensively research customers’ preferences and buying patterns. The market data could be used to improve a product and make marketing campaigns more effective. Retailing is a key component of a supply chain. Retailers buy products from either manufacturers or wholesalers and sell them directly to customers. They can offer a wide variety of products because they acquire products from different suppliers. The width of product assortment depends on the positioning and product strategy of the retailer.
Retailing plays a big role in the economic development of a country. Consumers spend daily on retail products, and the money circulates in the economy. Retailing also provides employment opportunities to the masses as it is one of the most important industries in the world.
Fig. 3 - Discounts in store
Types of Retail Marketing
There are three types of retail marketing, and these are used based on the marketing strategy:
Out-store retail marketing – Outside the store, retailers also have many marketing options. They can mail brochures to their prospective customers. Tv advertisement could be another good option, though it is more costly than other outdoor marketing options.
Retailers in Marketing - Key takeaways
- Retailers make sure to deliver what was promised to the target audience in the initial stages of a marketing campaign.
- The core function of retailing is to sell the product/service to the end user.
- Retail marketing involves various activities, from store advertisement to product assortment.
- The retail marketing strategies and marketing mix elements create value for customers.
- Retail marketing is important in an economy as it provides many benefits to the people.
References
- Fig 2: Ikea Logan Store (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ikea_Logan_store.jpg) by Kgbo (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Kgbo) licensed by CCCC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en)
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