5 Tips for Throwing a Grand Opening

Hosting a grand opening is a great way to draw attention to your new store. Consumers will hear about your store’s grand opening, visiting your store to see what it offers. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to host a grand opening. So before you hang a “grand opening” sign over your store, keep reading for some helpful tips.

Plan Ahead

I know this probably sounds like common sense to most seasoned retailers, but it’s still worth mentioning that you should plan your store’s grand opening several months in advance. Doing so will ensure that you have plenty of time to stock inventory, set up the displays, and make the final touches on your store’s layout before customers see it.

Host on the Weekend

It’s recommended that you host your store’s grand opening on the weekend, simply because this is when the majority of consumers do their shopping. Weekend grand opening will yield more customers and more sales, which is exactly what you should be trying to accomplish. And even if your store is already open for business, you can still host a grand opening at a later date/time.

Product Displays

Don’t just toss your products on shelves and/or rolling racks, but instead make sure they are properly being displayed for maximum visibility. If you sells shoes, for instance, try using shoe risers to lift them higher where shoppers can see them more easily. Mannequins can also be used to display shirts, dresses, coats, and other garments. Investing the necessary time into setting up your store’s product displays will go a long ways in creating a successful grand opening.

Offer Incentives

You can attract a broader audience by offering special deals and other incentives during your store’s grand opening. For instance, you could offer the first 50 customers a free $25 gift card. Another idea is to host a raffle in which a random customer wins a prize. Incentives such as this can drive tons of shoppers to your store during its grand opening.

Promote it

Of course, a grand opening is only productive is shoppers know when and where it’s taking place. Far too many business owners fail with their store’s grand opening because they don’t promote it. After choosing a date and time, spread the word via social media, fliers, mail advertisements, commercials, and word of mouth.

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