How to Grow Your Retail Business: 15 Proven Ways

Opening a retail store is exciting. But sustaining growth is the real challenge.

With economic uncertainty high, shoppers are more selective about where they spend. Retailers must work harder to earn loyalty and drive sales.

This guide offers practical strategies for growing your retail business. Each one is designed to put you back in control and help you move forward with confidence. 

15 Strategies to Grow Your Retail Business

Growing your retail business won’t happen overnight. But you can speed things up. That's why, alongside these tactics, we’ve given examples of automation and AI tools that can streamline the whole process.

Let’s dive in.

1. Analyze Retail Business Data & Customer Insights

A nuanced understanding of your current sales metrics and customer behavior will form the basis of your growth strategy. It’s important to avoid guesswork during the assessment process. That’s why data is the key to gaining a full picture of what’s going on in your business. 

Here’s a rundown of the different data types you should collect (ideally for at least 12 months):

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  Point-of-sale (POS) data reveals customers’ actions before they click “buy,” providing valuable insights into cross-selling opportunities, pricing adjustments, and coupon or discount code use.

  
  
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  Website visitor tracking tells you how much traffic web pages generate and where it comes from, such as ads, Google, or social media.

  
  
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  Customer feedback forms, such as customer satisfaction (CSAT), net promoter score (NPS), customer effort score (CES), and product/UX surveys, capture existing customers' thoughts on your customer service, products, and overall customer experience. 

  
  
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  Customer behavior analysis pinpoints where customers get stuck in the buying journey —whether at checkout or in-store —and why. 

  
  
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  Sales and inventory data tells you which products are trending online and offline, product preferences of each segment, average order value, returns, peak hours, and inventory data.

  
  
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  Reviews and in-store comments should be assessed and categorized by topic to identify negative and positive impressions.

  
  

These insights form a baseline for comparing results after you implement changes. The data also tells you which areas need improvement. It helps you find the weakest links and biggest opportunities, define your growth KPIs, and plan incremental improvements.

Automate your outbound with an AI BDR

Meet Ava—your AI BDR who handles prospecting, outreach, and follow-ups, so your team can focus on closing.

Book a Demo

2. Improve the In-Store Experience

Imagine the experience of your brick-and-mortar store through your ideal customer’s eyes. Does the storefront look inviting? Is the layout easy to move through? Does the space tell your brand story?

Here’s a checklist for perfecting your space:

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  The lighting should create an inviting atmosphere.

  
  
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  Signage and storefront must be clear, enticing, and on-brand.

  
  
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  Demos and samples should be easy to access.

  
  
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  Scent and music must match your branding.

  
  
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  Product displays must showcase products clearly at eye level.

  
  
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  Accessibility should be prioritized.

  
  

Experiment with store layouts, such as a grid, free-flow, loop, or herringbone. But always leave an open space at the entrance and maintain clear pathways to the checkout. 

Jason Vaught, Director of Content and Marketing at SmashBrand, a company that helps consumer brands develop packaging and marketing, has owned and operated over a dozen retail and online stores. He follows a handful of simple—but powerful—principles: 

Skela Studio in Glasgow provides another example of layout and branding done well. They redesigned MacGregor and MacDuff’s store to better reflect the brand’s products and customers. The new layout added ample space and eye-level displays.

3. Train & Empower Sales Associates

Sales associates influence most in-person sales. Yet, many brands overlook their employees when trying to grow. 

But they shouldn’t. Only 31% of US employees feel engaged at work, according to Gallup research. A lack of clear expectations, meaningful development, and feeling heard is often to blame. 

Training will empower your team and equip them with the skills to close more sales.

Ensure your sales team is confident with the following, thanks to in-depth onboarding and regular training:

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  Product knowledge

  
  
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  Discounts, offers, and promotions

  
  
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  Upselling and cross-selling

  
  
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  Active listening 

  
  

Even a small amount of training can save a sale by helping employees address objections, explain product benefits, and highlight discounts.

4. Optimize Inventory Management

As a customer, seeing “out of stock” marked on a go-to product is frustrating—especially for time-sensitive items, such as gifts and event wear. Poor inventory management damages trust, harms ratings, and sends customers to competitors. 

Omnes, a fashion retailer, saw its Trustpilot rating drop to just 2.9 because of delayed deliveries, poor customer support, and stock issues. 

That’s why you must respond to demand and manage your inventory effectively. But you don’t have to do it manually. 

An automated inventory management system provides the following:

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  Real-time stock tracking

  
  
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  Automatic reordering to prevent shortages

  
  
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  Forecasting based on sales trends

  
  
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  Omnichannel visibility across online and offline stores

  
  

Popular inventory tools include EasyReplenish, Lightspeed, and Shopify Stocky (part of Shopify POS), which is especially useful for small to mid-sized businesses tracking inventory across multiple sales channels.

5. Expand Your Physical Presence

If your store feels cramped during peak times or you notice customers traveling miles to reach it, it may be time to expand.

Assess the following data to identify whether you should upsize or branch out (or both):

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  Competitor benchmarks: How do similar stores perform in nearby locations?

  
  
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  Current footfall: Do you have the demand to sustain another space?

  
  
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  Customer data: Where do your customers live? Are there hot spots worth targeting?

  
  
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  Customer feedback: Are any specific areas mentioned regularly?

  
  
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  Risk assessment: How much would renovations or expansion cost?

  
  

Additionally, tools like GIS mapping can help pinpoint the most promising areas for expansion, as illustrated in the image below from Maptitude.

Alongside expansion, consider using delivery hubs or buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS) schemes, aiming for collection availability within a few hours. Over 10% of orders are now collected in-store, according to Statista research.

6. Test New Markets with Pop-Up Shops

Opening a new store is a giant financial leap. Pop-up shops—small, temporary stores—shrink that risk, allowing you to reach new audiences, build hype, and test new locations.

Here’s a step-by-step guide for setting up a pop-up shop:

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   Identify areas where your customers are (but you aren't) in the same way as you would when selecting a store location.

   
   
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   Choose accessible, high-footfall locations with strong transport links and parking.

   
   
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   Design the interior and exterior, and decide when you’re going to launch.

   
   
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   Market your pop-up store to build hype.

   
   
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   Keep the shop open for around three months to track long-term interest

   
   

To keep things lean, also set up a mobile POS system that lets your team handle sales on smartphones or tablets. This makes checkout easy and keeps costs low. 

When marketing your pop-up store, use the following tactics:

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  Host special events or workshops and offer exclusive discounts.

  
  
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  Collaborate with complementary brands to create buzz.

  
  
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  Run influencer marketing campaigns with local creators.

  
  
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  Build hype on social media with mystery drops, countdowns, and behind-the-scenes teasers, as seen below in beauty retailer Glossier’s social media post about its New York pop-up store.

  
  

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  Launching localized ads on Instagram, TikTok, Google, or Facebook.

  
  
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  Sending alerts to your existing customer base.

  
  

Track the results carefully. Compare pop-up sales and footfall against your main store, and look for patterns beyond short-term excitement. If performance is strong, it could justify a permanent location.

7. Expand Sales Channels and Go Omnichannel

If your only online channel is your website, you’re probably limiting your growth. 

Today’s shoppers expect to find your products wherever they are—whether that’s Amazon, eBay, or their favorite social platform.

Social commerce on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok accounts for 17% of global online sales, according to Statista. There are many ways to sell, including live streaming, which is a proven choice for bundles and low-ticket items.

For example, Made by Mitchell, an online beauty retailer, went viral on TikTok by engaging viewers with interactive live streams.

When branching out onto other channels, ensure that your branding, message, and values are consistent. 

Katie Jones, owner of Squirrel A Store of Buried Treasure, has worked in retail for over two decades and shared the following advice: 

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  Manage stock with the same stock keeping units (SKUs) in the till, your online store, and on marketplaces. 

  
  
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  Write benefit-led product descriptions, standardize packaging, and take pictures of each item on a consistent backdrop to minimize returns. 

  
  
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  Collect an email address at checkout and offer to add customers to a loyalty program, which up-values annual returns from omnichannel consumers by 1.7 times in my experience.

  
  

In addition, tools like Shopify POS connect your physical store, online shop, and external channels, allowing you to track stock, unify customer data, and gain insights across all platforms. 

Automate your outbound with an AI BDR

Meet Ava—your AI BDR who handles prospecting, outreach, and follow-ups, so your team can focus on closing.

Book a Demo

8. Diversify Your Product Line (Add New Products)

Everyone loves something new. Your customers are no different. Diversification and new releases scratch this itch while increasing your bottom line. 

Diversify your product line with the following additions:

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  Introduce line extensions (new colors or sizes) of fan favorites.

  
  
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  Offer complementary products, such as samples, minis, or add-ons, that fit well with your current products.

  
  
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  Collaborate with influencers or other brands to launch limited-edition designs or products.

  
  

The key is to gather customer feedback and test product-market fit. Always remember to expand inventory gradually to avoid spreading yourself too thin. Done well, diversification enables you to stay ahead of changing consumer preferences and reinforces your brand positioning. 

9. Offer New Services and Experiences

Fresh products aren’t the only way to excite your customers. Offering services and experiences can also diversify revenue sources and strengthen loyalty. 

Consider offering the following services and experiences:

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  Repairs on your products. For example, outdoor clothing and gear brand Patagonia provides product repairs for just $15. 

  
  

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  Product customization, such as adding names or unique images to popular products.

  
  
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  Workshops and events that are in keeping with your brand identity. Brooklyn-based perfume brand Bios Apothecary offers workshops and masterclasses for $120 to $280. 

  
  

These services should feel professional, so hire experts or train staff comprehensively if you’re going to offer them. 

And don’t forget to market services and experiences by: 

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  Sending VIPs exclusive early access

  
  
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  Dispatching email and app notifications

  
  
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  Promoting events on social media 

  
  

These experiences can set you apart from online-only competitors and open up valuable opportunities for cross-selling and upselling.

10. Launch a Loyalty Program

Almost half (41%) of U.S. shoppers say they stick with brands because of their loyalty program, according to research by EY. 

Loyalty programs create deep psychological bonds by rewarding positive behavior. But there’s a common obstacle: on average, customers have 12 loyalty accounts, according to Harvard Business Review. You must stand out. 

Here’s how to run a customer loyalty program that sticks:

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  Avoid discounting products customers would buy anyway (a beauty store should reward purchases of luxury lipstick rather than basic lip balms).

  
  
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  Define your point system clearly and communicate it upfront.

  
  
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  Only launch your program when you have enough customer data to personalize offers.

  
  
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  Think carefully about your product cycle: for one-off, high-ticket items, such as furniture, a points system may not be the best approach.

  
  
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  Give early or exclusive access to events, workshops, and free gifts as part of the program.

  
  
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  Gamify the experience and build a community around your brand to engage customers.

  
  
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  Provide an obvious gain to customers, such as free shipping, and experiment with offers to pinpoint what works. For example, Sephora’s sign-up page for its loyalty program, Beauty Insider, clearly states “free shipping” as an automatic benefit. 

  
  

Your customer loyalty program should be available online and offline. Consider using a tool like Smile or Square to get your program up and running quickly.

11. Experiment with Pricing & Promotions

While lower prices can attract cost-conscious shoppers, cutting margins is not always sustainable long-term. 

Instead, use product price changes strategically with these methods:

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  Slow-moving stock that you’re eager to get rid of is a good candidate for discounting. 

  
  
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  Use promotions, such as bundles, limited-time discounts, and free gifts, to boost sales without eroding long-term margins.

  
  
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  Watch your data closely. Don’t apply discounts to products where demand looks stable.

  
  

The goal is to protect your bottom line. Experiment, track results, and identify price points that sustain sales and increase profit.

12. Invest in Marketing (Digital and Local)

Sometimes all you need for business growth is a champion marketing strategy that shines on every channel.

Account for all these digital marketing channels in your marketing strategy:

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  SEO: Make sure your products rank when customers search on Google. If you’re not familiar with best ecommerce practices yourself, invest in an agency with a good track record. 

  
  
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  Email marketing: Send regular communications about loyalty programs, new product lines, and abandoned carts. And don’t forget “finish checking out” emails, either. They’re a goldmine. 

  
  

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  Social media and influencers: Build brand awareness and trust through engaging content and collaborations.

  
  
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  Paid ads: Target the right audience where they actually spend time on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and third-party sites. 

  
  

At the same time, run local marketing strategies, such as sponsoring local events and promoting your brand in the community. But ensure that your marketing efforts connect with your target market. There’s no use advertising your alternative Gen Z brand at the golf club.

13. Leverage Technology, AI, and Automation

A successful retail business continuously streamlines workflows. Using the right tools automates repetitive tasks, frees up your employees’ time, and keeps you on top of business processes. 

Use these technologies to automate your retail processes:

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  Demand forecasting, especially for peak shopping periods

  
  
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  Personalized product recommendations

  
  
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  Customer service automation, e.g., AI chatbots

  
  
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  Marketing platforms for customer relationship management, omnichannel orchestration, and email automation

  
  
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  Point of sale (POS) software (e.g., Shopify) for inventory and data management

  
  

These platforms allow you to scale intelligently without wasting resources. With the right tools, you can consolidate data and marketing, making it easier to understand your customers, adjust to market changes, and orchestrate marketing.  

14. Personalize the Customer Journey

The vast majority (84%) of customers prefer personalized experiences, according to research by Shep Hyken. 

And why wouldn’t they? A sportswear brand shouldn’t send a tennis lover marketing about basketballs—it’s simply not relevant. 

Here’s how to keep your communications tailored:

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   Record data about customer behaviors and interests.

   
   
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   Segment customers based on this data. 

   
   
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   Send segmented communications via email and ads. 

   
   

Once you’ve created your segments, you can use the data to refine and find messages that connect. 

15. Foster Partnerships & Collaborations

Team up with complementary businesses to expand your reach and offer new products. Cross-promotions allow you to share audiences and strengthen community ties.

For example, a bookstore with a coffee shop next door could offer a joint deal that includes 20% off hot drinks with every book purchase. 

When choosing a collaborator, look for the following qualities:

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  A similar target audience, but not a direct competitor

  
  
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  Complementary style and values 

  
  
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  Opportunities for mutual benefit (traffic, exposure, sales)

  
  

This works online too. Coffee brand Grind, for instance, teamed up with comic strip Peanuts to release limited-edition coffee gear, using nostalgia to connect with its customer base.

How Artisan Helps Retail Teams Scale Sales

Artisan is an all-in-one outbound platform that helps retail teams scale their cold outreach, especially for high-ticket items. It uses the very latest AI technology to find and reach potential retail customers with personalized messaging and tailored product suggestions. 

Track Everyone on Your Website

Artisan tracks website visitors to help you capture leads that left before they gave you their details. You can see which landing page they accessed and how likely they are to buy. 

Ensure Emails Actually Reach Customers

Tired of emails going straight to spam? Artisan ensures your campaigns actually reach inboxes with a powerful set of email deliverability tools: a mailbox health score, placement tests, email warm-ups, easy unsubscribe, and more. 

Scale Email Campaigns Without Hiring

With Artisan, setting up, tracking, and optimizing email campaigns is simple. Ava, Artisan’s AI BDR, automates all of the early and middle stages of the outbound sales cycle, freeing up your reps to focus on the all-important human elements of selling. 

Retail Growth Favors the Brave

Growth is never easy. You need confidence, a clear plan, and a team with the knowledge and energy to push forward. You also need tools that streamline and amplify your growth strategy. 

A platform like Artisan could prove an invaluable addition to your tech stack. AI BDR Ava finds, reaches, and connects with prospects at scale and on autopilot. All of which means your reps can focus on cultivating human relationships with leads that are ready to buy. 

Automate your outbound with an AI BDR

Meet Ava—your AI BDR who handles prospecting, outreach, and follow-ups, so your team can focus on closing.

Book a Demo