What's your best retail marketing channel?

Email marketing is one of the most underrated tools at our disposal today. The majority of people access emails daily, whether in their personal lives or in their professional lives. The key to standing out in order to move the needle for your business is down to value and consistency. Are you providing regular value to your audience or are you simply 'selling' to them? What I mean by value is addressing audience pain points, giving them inspiration and education, and finally, providing entertainment. Also, don't waste time on the design of the email, the best performing ones are usually text only, like something you'd write to a colleague in Outlook.

> look at sales directly attributed to each channel, both in raw revenue as well as a percentage of total sales > factor in the influence that awareness-building channels like display ads have on downstream purchases made online or in-store > assess the degree of channel synergy - do campaigns and messaging reinforce each other across channels > evaluate cost efficiency by comparing investment in each channel to the sales driven > consider audience reach and relevancy of each channel > review channel metrics like website traffic quality, email open rates, social engagement to identify the best retail marketing channel requires constantly reviewing data & optimizing channel mix as market dynamics shift

This still works very well for me - particularly when the email is personalized as much as possible. In todays busy workplace - I find this is very effective as people can read it when they have the time.

Email marketing has upped its game post-pandemic. There is a lot to explore and a lot to experiment. Millennials use a lot of emails and hence it is still a primary tool for many B2B businesses.

In the UAE, social media marketing is a potent tool for retail businesses. Choose platforms wisely, considering your target audience; Instagram and TikTok are popular among the younger demographic. Maintain a consistent brand voice and style for recognition. Diverse content is vital, respecting various preferences. Engage actively with the community, as social media users in the UAE are interactive. Be culturally sensitive and mindful of local customs. Cultivating relationships through social media aligns with the strong sense of community in the UAE, making it a valuable marketing channel for retail success.

Focus on mastering your tone of voice as a brand/company, don't obsess over trying to go viral in specific channels by constantly studying the algorithm. In the end, if what you share and how you share it is authentic, you will win!

It is easy to get carried away and lose focus with many channels. Identifying the channel that works most for you and having a game plan for that can help your goals.

Once you've identified the content that your audience needs and you've created it... focus on getting the most from it through clever distribution. This includes repurposing across formats and channels, as well as resposting in the same channels. Just because you put it up once, it doesn't mean everyone saw it.

I believe content is the cornerstone of any successful marketing endeavor, no matter the industry. The messaging has to be right for your brand, audience, and goals. The distribution method is secondary.

We use webinars in travel space and particularly since Covid these are well attended and promote conversation and direct potential clients to our business. They do however need to be succinct and relevant.

Content marketing is a valuable strategy for retail businesses in the UAE. To succeed, define clear goals and understand your local audience's preferences and interests. Research keywords relevant to the region to optimize content. Quality is crucial; create informative and engaging content in various formats. Use channels like social media and local platforms for distribution. In the UAE's diverse market, personalized and informative content can help you connect with customers, build trust, and drive retail success.

Is the traditional influencer marketing model dead now? That's what I am seeing anyway. It's all about partnering appropriately with creators who have built engaged and authentic audiences from the ground up through value exchange.

I believe the Best Influencer Marketing videos are unboxing videos. Everyone loves opening a box. It's a GIFT!!! When an influencer unboxes a new product with the viewers they share in the excitement, and it shares in the experience of getting the product. This triggers the emotions that lead to more sales!!!

SMS marketing is effective for UAE retail, but respecting customer consent is vital. Segment your list to send relevant messages. Keep texts concise and appealing. Timing and frequency should align with local preferences. In the UAE, where mobile use is widespread, SMS marketing can enhance conversions and loyalty when executed considerately and thoughtfully.

When seeking the most effective retail marketing channel, consider WhatsApp. With its enormous user base, WhatsApp offers unparalleled reach. What's more, it boasts remarkable read-through rates, ensuring your messages are noticed. Its true strength, however, lies in engagement. WhatsApp's real-time interaction fosters deep connections, nurturing customer loyalty and trust. In the ever-changing world of retail marketing, WhatsApp's effectiveness, reach, and engagement make it a standout choice for boosting sales and building lasting customer relationships. My team has leveraged WhatsApp by customizing communication across different cohorts, engaging audience with audio visual content and conversing with our customers via chat bots.