There are always new way to draw in customers and increase sales. Here, BAPIA chairman – and Progressive Party Europe columnist – John Bowler extolls the virtues of the four-legged friend.
How Much Is That Doggie In The Window?
“Are you looking for ways to encourage customers into your shop, getting them to stay a little longer and spend a little more? Well if you are a dog owner the answer may be right in front of you, or more precisely in the dog basket!
I consider myself very fortunate that I have a lovely pet dog and I love the fact that he is able to be with me when I am working. I also know that when I visit a local shop where they have a dog it somehow makes me feel a little more welcome and the shop feels more friendly.
For the owners of Britain’s small shops, having a pet in-store to greet customers can provide a surprising boost to business, new research has revealed. Across the UK, independent retail owners who have pets in their shop receive a total annual income boost of around £59.7m on average.
‘The presence of a dog can be a great ice breaker for tentative browsers and can even entice new customers through the front door,’ said Nikki Edelman, director at American Express, who conducted the research. ‘It might seem unconventional but it appears that business owners who bring their pets to work have the perfect company asset.’ ”
