Bookmark and Share

Boosting Sales With Booze

By DEIDRE WOOLLARD, ON LOAN FROM LUXIST.COM
Posted: 2009-07-10 15:55:55
Filed Under: Small Business, Marketing
Beer
Getty Images
With the economy in the doldrums and shoppers still holding their wallets closed, retailers are doing anything to get people back into the stores. One method to get men interested in shopping is the tried-and-true allure of a good drink. Stores that host shopping events where the guest star is beer, bourbon or another potent potable are finding that men more likely to stay and shop with a drink in their hands. The drink makes it seem more like a gathering than a chore and can slow down the "get in, get it, get out" approach that many men favor on retail adventures. The atmosphere shifts from being strictly retail to more like a party or a visit to a friend's home.

More From AOL Small Business

    This strategy is not new although it has usually been women on the receiving end of a glass of wine while shopping. It's a secret that dress shops, hair salons and spas have known for years, a drink makes the customer more relaxed. And that customer is often more receptive to sales. The natural defenses that men may put up against shopping are weakened in a more convivial atmosphere. The Newsweek article on the phenomenon says that one store, Baumans in Little Rock, like many others, has a two-drink limit to avoid taking too much advantage of the customer.

    Before you break out the bottles there are some things to be aware of, including local liquor laws. If drinks are being given away for free most states don't require a store to obtain a liquor license but some do. Also retailers need to make sure that customers aren't accidentally over-served and that store employees aren't giving liquor to minors. In general it's best to keep the potent potables off the shop floor until later in the day or evening, using this as an incentive to draw customers in during the often quiet early evening hours. Those stores strapped for cash might even want to see if a local liquor store or brand might be willing to sponsor an event, providing the libations for free. If your business needs a little boost it might not be a bad idea to try this strategy to give customers of both sexes another reason to stop by.

    2009-05-03 15:02:45
    Bookmark:

    Recent Comments

    Post Your Own  
    1 - 10 of 78
    78 comments

    hopleo334 08:22:38 PM Sep 30 2009

    Report This!

    Stupid, I guess Barrack Obama is your hero !!!

    sodoit8 06:12:21 PM Sep 30 2009

    Report This!

    Don’t think the article was meant to be funny, just fact. Why so many people are offended is beyond me. I do not think they are force feeding the booze to anyone. This is America where, for the time being, we still have choices. I suppose some of these commenter’s would prefer that we did not have the ability to make choices for ourselves. I also suppose Bush is your hero. I am curious if the same people who oppose this free booze incentive dine at restaurants that also offer booze and have kiddy menus?

    dderr77961 01:20:29 PM Sep 30 2009

    Report This!

    HELLO? CAN YOU GET RID OF THIS TOTALLY USELESS TOTALLY UN-FUNNY ARTICLE? Its worthless, just like lots of your crap, including the wonderful tintalating SHARK TANK! WOW HOW INFORMATIVE AND EXCITING! NOT! AOL, you are getting more buggy and pathetic by the day. Get rid of all your parasitic CEOs, get rid of BEBO, and let the software writers do their job without CEO/MBA interference. AND PEOPLE, DO NOT BECOME MBAs, CEOs or LAWYERS. THOSE ARE COMPLETELY PARASITIC PROFESSIONs, AND THE REASON AMERICA IS FALTERING SO HORRIBLY.

    scumbugusa 04:37:18 PM Sep 29 2009

    Report This!

    Better watch for the police after you've been shopping and drinking, just waiting to take more $$ from you for DUI

    mdwmailbox 04:33:10 PM Aug 17 2009

    Report This!

    BOOZE WORKS WELL FOR CONGRESSMEN RENTING HOOKERS

    rbr617 04:23:43 PM Aug 15 2009

    Report This!

    Try a real business that 1 out of 4 Americans uses and needs on a daily basis. Not an MLM selling crap nobody wants like Amway and Herbalife. SMOKEBETTER.NET is a way for smokers to save money and make money. Even nonsmokers can make money selling to every smoker they know. The residual money on refills is amazing !!!

    hpaganserr 12:49:45 AM Aug 05 2009

    Report This!

    People are stupid. The general public should not fall for those crooked ideas coming from bib business of people who want to remain employed and can give a darn about everyone else. We should say no to all those lies. They are the very same persons that would call the cops in a minute if a person gets intoxicated and out of line at their stores. Shame on them all.

    hovercom 11:52:10 AM Aug 04 2009

    Report This!

    If you don't drink often and only keep it to special occasions, then I don't see a problem with it. Save the drinking for karaoke night, band night, a holiday, and your birthday. Then there isn't a problem. I don't see a problem of having 3 drinks or less. That's all I drink these days and I only drink during special occasions (no more than 3 drinks too). Have some will power, it's more fun when you do.

    sonboy8 10:43:59 AM Aug 04 2009

    Report This!

    Promoting liqour where kids are is a bad idea, not to mention recovering alcoholics cannot shop without it in their faces doing everyday things, come on to make a buck and promote economy is the wrong way to go about it.....thumbs down !!!

    worldwildwest 10:01:36 AM Aug 04 2009

    Report This!

    jOYGIRL2 >> IF I'D MAKE ENOUGH DOUGH READING EMAIL I WOULD'VE QUIT MY DAY JOB LONG TIME AGO .

    1 - 10 of 78
    78 comments

    Add your own Comments

    Clear
    Add

    The Startup

    The Startup

    The Startup, the web's premiere online reality show for small business owners, is back for its third season! Watch as we follow four entrepreneurs to see how they're making their businesses come to life.

    1. The Startup

      Small Business Checklists

      It can be difficult to keep up with all the details involved in running a small business. Don't lose track of the details -- use a checklist to keep yourself organized.

      1. Checklist: Starting a Business
      2. Checklist: Closing a Business
      3. Index of Small Business Checklists

        Small Business Success Stories

        1. More Than Moonlighting
        2. Reality TV Leads to Small Biz Success
        3. From Couple to Business Partners
        4. Build-A-Bear's Founder Shares Her Story

          Helpful Resources

            AOL Coaches

            Jake Steinfeld

            Business Coaches
            Starting your own business can be a daunting task. With AOL's Small Business Coaches, you can get the best advice to guide you through the process.