9 Tactics to Drive Store Traffic

Driving store traffic isn’t as simple as it used to be. With so many shoppers browsing and buying online, getting people to visit a physical store takes more than just opening your doors.

But in-person retail still matters.

Physical stores can create memorable experiences, stronger customer loyalty, and higher average order values.

The key is using the right strategies to attract, engage, and convert real-world visitors.

In this blog post, we’ll walk through 9 effective tactics to increase store traffic, from local promotions to digital campaigns that bridge the online-offline gap.

Give customers a clear reason to visit in person by offering something they can’t get online.

Try:

• Flash sales with limited hours
• Free gifts with in-store purchases
• Exclusive product drops

Make sure to promote these across social media, email, and SMS, but highlight that they’re available in store only.

Events create buzz and help generate word-of-mouth.

You could try some fun ideas like:

• Launch nights for new collections
• Mini workshops or demos
• Local vendor pop-ups or collaborations

Even small events can help build community and boost store traffic, especially if people feel like they’ll miss out by not attending.

Most in-store visits start online, often with a local search. Make sure your store shows up (and looks great) when people search “near me.”

Check that your profile includes:

• Current opening hours and phone number
• High-quality images of your storefront and products
• Customer reviews and updates about events or promos

This increases your visibility and builds trust with first-time visitors.

Giveaways work especially well when entry requires a real-world visit. Rather than just entering online, your customers need to step into your store, which boosts both footfall and engagement.

Here are two simple in-store giveaway formats that work brilliantly:

Encourage customers to check in on Facebook while they’re at your store to enter the giveaway. It helps you generate foot traffic and social proof at the same time.

Use this if you want:

• Extra visibility on social media
• A quick, mobile-friendly entry method
• To incentivise in-store visits with minimal friction

Place a printed QR code somewhere in-store, on your counter, near the entrance, or in changing rooms, and ask customers to scan it to unlock the giveaway.

Use this if you want:

• A simple way to tie physical presence to digital entry
• To gamify your space or encourage exploration
• A clean, branded in-store experience

Some shoppers prefer to browse online but pick up nearby to save on shipping or get it faster.

Highlight Click & Collect as a benefit:

• Promote it on product pages and checkout
• Use email reminders to encourage collection
• Upsell at pickup by offering limited-time add-ons or samples

Every pickup is a chance to turn a convenience into a full in-store experience.

Partner with creators who have an engaged, local audience.

They can:

• Share content filmed in your store
• Promote your upcoming event or collection
• Offer exclusive discounts or early access to followers

Focus on authentic partnerships that match your brand and feel natural to their audience, this drives the most effective store traffic.

Sometimes, a gentle nudge is all it takes. Use geo-targeted emails, SMS, or push notifications to let nearby customers know what’s happening.

For example:

• “Stop by today for a free sample, we’re open until 6pm”
• “New arrivals just landed! Visit us in-store to try them first”
• “You’re close by! Show this message for 10% off today only”

Make it easy, clear, and worth the trip.

Launch a Loyalty Program With In-Store Rewards

Encourage repeat visits by rewarding simple actions, not just purchases. With the right setup, you can offer rewards for things like:

• Checking in on Facebook while visiting your store
• Tagging your brand in a photo on social media
• Referring a friend to come in-store
• Leaving a review

Each of these actions can unlock a small incentive, like a discount, a freebie, or early access, helping you turn casual customers into loyal ones.

The more reasons you give people to come back, and share their experience, the more likely they are to stick around.

You'll probably have been to a restaurant or bar where if you scan the QR code you can enter your email or register your details for a free drink or side:

If you’re part of a shopping strip or local area, consider:

• Shared promotions or giveaways
• A neighbourhood event or shopping night
• Cross-promotion through window displays or flyers

By collaborating with nearby stores, you can reach new audiences and build a stronger community around your location.

Driving store traffic is only part of the equation, what you do with it matters just as much.

Tracking foot traffic data and using people counters can help you see not just how many people enter your store, but how they move through it.

These insights let you optimise store layouts, identify high traffic areas, and test what’s working in real time.

The more you understand customer movement and traffic patterns, the better you can tailor store promotions, improve the overall shopping experience, and ultimately increase sales.

Whether you’re a small retailer or part of a larger chain, these tools help you connect your marketing efforts with what’s actually happening on the floor, improving your conversion rate and giving your team clarity on how to turn visits into value.