Local Hardware store advertising in Connecticut faces a big challenge: The Big Box.
This isn’t anything new: Home Depot first opened their doors in 1978. Lowe’s has been around since 1946. The neighborhood hardware store has survived, but increasing mobility over the past 70 years, decreased “shop local” sentiment, and their sheer size make it tougher for smaller stores to survive. As e-commerce gets more powerful, can even the best hardware store advertising help?
Hardware Store Advertising helps
The national chains dominate hardware store advertising on national and cable TV, radio, and print. They’re going to win this contest, hands down. They have more “sku’s,” more variety, and more different “stuff” than you could ever hope to have. But you can use their strengths to your advantage. Their hardware store adverting follow the “Generic” strategy, with only a handful of well know quality brands. To the Big Box stores customers are “generic” as well. My local, family-owned True Value owner greets me by name. And asks about my most recent home repair project.
The Best Hardware Store Advertising Shows Your Strengths
What are you best at? Offering higher quality products? Giving personal attention? Unique challenges that Connecticut homeowners face? Giving customers solutions instead of just boxes of generic products? Are you an expert at certain specialties? Are there important (and profitable) niches in your local market that you can serve? Big Box Stores can’t compete in these areas. These are just some of your advantages. Hardware store advertising that stresses these and other strengths can be more successful than even the best funded national campaigns.
Niche Hardware Store Advertising is the secret
Not many of us will ever match the Big Box Store’s $88.5 Billion in sales. But you don’t have to. Your independent hardware store can be a vital part of the community, and you’ll earn a good living. You’re in touch with your customers, and know their needs. With the right targeted hardware store advertising, using a mix of old and new “guerrilla” tactics like personal service, local networking, social networking, working with area businesses, and Informer Messages on hold, you’ll reach the customers you want, and everyone will benefit. Want more ideas? For a Free 15-minute Discovery Session, call today: In Connecticut call 203-655-3920, nationwide call: 800-862-8896