As COVID-19 continues to leave its mark on our lives and on the economy, many businesses are finding that it is time to get creative with how to embrace market adjustments and customer needs. Corsight anticipates that “15,000 stores could permanently close in 2020”, and that this coronavirus is going to “provide a sharp shock in physical retail.” The experience of shopping in a storefront has significantly shifted, turning many companies’ heads toward enhancing their online presence. Overall, ecommerce sales are up 50% since the beginning of the pandemic, proving that the online and digital marketing strategies companies are putting in place are working.
We’ve seen countless companies get pretty creative with their unique ideas on how they are continuing to deliver excellent service and products for their customers, despite the restrictions that have been placed on them. Are you looking for fresh ideas on how to keep your business going through this season of the coronavirus? Check out how some brands and industries are pivoting and seeing results.
The Restaurant Industry
We have seen restaurants of all kinds stepping it up in light of COVID-19. Services such as DoorDash and Grubhub have waived fees and implemented no-contact rules for food drop off. Dine-in restaurants are staying open and offering online ordering and curbside pickup. Software companies like Podium are offering text-to-pickup services for local restaurants that perhaps aren’t completely set up for ordering online. All of this helps the effort to keep local businesses open and individuals employed who don’t have the luxury of working from home during the pandemic.
Health and Physical Fitness
At this point, it’s likely that every gym and fitness center in the United States has closed its doors to its members for the unforeseeable future. However, that doesn’t mean that their services aren’t still available. Many gyms are renting out their machines and equipment, like this gym in North Carolina, as well as offering classes and personal training sessions online. Many fitness apps that typically require a monthly fee, are offering free trial memberships. Fitbit is offering an impressive free trial of their product to new users, and meal plan companies are offering discounts for their customers.
Food and Grocery
Source: Berkelyside
Perhaps one of the most vital industries to revere during this time of uncertainty is the food and grocery industry. Large chains such as Costco and Sam’s Club implemented purchase limits early on for a number of popular products, such as toilet paper and flour. Many grocery stores have set special hours for seniors to shop, and the number of people online grocery shopping is at a new high. Additionally, local bakeries and restaurants have stepped up to the plate and started selling their stock- numerous locations are offering bags of flour and sugar, eggs, rice, beans, yeast, meat, produce, and more, and are even offering curbside pick up.
Education
Source: Sacramento City Unified
Parents across the country are faced with the challenging task of teaching their children at home as schools have temporarily closed their doors. Big brand names, such as Audible and Zoom, have waived fees and made many of their services free of charge. Lakeshore Learning, a store dedicated to creating educational toys and high-quality school supplies, has implemented a free, online video series for parents to use, as well as thousands of free worksheets and activity downloads. Building rapport and showing empathy for clients will resonate with customers and is bound to stick in their minds long after this pandemic has passed.
As you continue to move forward during this season of COVID-19, consider what choices you can make and strategies you can implement to take care of yourself and take care of your customers. What are some things you can put in place today to help your business flourish? The decisions you make during this pivotal time will have a significant impact, so take some time to create a strategy and take action.
Knowing where to focus your marketing efforts is crucial to attracting customers and keeping your business afloat during these challenging times. Find out where your company stands by requesting a free campaign analysis report and let us help you build a plan now to ensure your future.
Laurel is a member of the executive team at Stryde. She’s been doing digital marketing for businesses for 10 years. Two years ago, she started set up her own ecommerce business selling baby gowns and knows the struggles of a small business owner. She loves talking about digital marketing, content, SEO, and conversion rate optimization.
