5 eCommerce Ideas for Independent Grocers for Independence Day

It’s that time of the year! Christmas and New Year may be in the rearview mirror, but the Fourth of July is coming up fast. As an independent grocer, Independence Day is a great time to promote your brand, bring in new customers, and boost your sales.

Americans spent $13.8 billion for the Fourth of July in 2022, $11.6 billion of which was on food and drinks. On top of that, nearly 80% of Americans make purchases in advance for the holiday.

That’s a huge amount of revenue you may miss out on if you don’t capitalize on the festivities the right way. 

To help you reach customers early and effectively, we’ve compiled a list of the most efficient eCommerce tips and ideas to implement throughout this Fourth of July season.

1. Free Shipping and Multiple Delivery Options

Customers still have plenty of time to prepare for the Fourth, but it’s easy to forget an item and end up needing something quick. Holiday shopping is often stressful, but the good news is that shoppers can choose quick delivery options when placing online orders. 

However, they’re most likely to pay an extra $20. Many shoppers get discouraged when a store doesn’t provide free shipping, especially during the holiday season when they might be making multiple orders from different online stores. 

Offering discount coupons and free shipping are two great ways to help your customers save money and encourage brand loyalty. 

According to a study by ComScore, 83% of US online shoppers are willing to wait an additional two days for delivery if shipping is free. 

Moreover, according to research done by eMarketer, respondents between the ages of 18 and 45 prefer discounts to free shipping when making a purchase online. On the other hand, older internet users prefer free shipping above discounts.

Free shipping has ceased to be a “nice-to-have” and is now expected by many customers. It’s a useful tool for promoting your brand, improving customer service, and encouraging consumers to spend more. So if you want to see sales growth during the Fourth of July, consider including free shipping and delivery in your plans.

2. Gift Cards and Customized Shopping Guides

Shoppers often struggle with choosing the right items for their Independence Day celebrations or simply get lost in the overwhelming variety of choices. Putting together a basic online shopping guide is a terrific approach to highlighting products you think will have a unique appeal for your customers. 

A shopping guide can simply be a list of ideas categorized into Fourth of July foods, decorations, drinks, and more. Start by adding a few product categories to your online guide based on what you expect people to be buying this year, and then fill them in with appropriate products from your inventory.
           
According to payment service Blackhawk Network, in 2023 gift card spending is going to rise by 19% compared to last year. Consider giving Independence Day-themed gift cards to give shoppers the option of flexible gift-giving and to ensure a greater conversion rate. Gift cards can be as simple as a graphic on a landing page or a menu item in your store. 

3. Upselling and Cross-Selling

Now that you have your customers’ attention, what next? Upselling and cross-selling are excellent strategies to give existing customers what they want while also boosting your earnings.

Cross-selling is a terrific method to increase the order value of your client’s purchase. According to Predictive Intent’s research, promoting cross-sells at checkout can improve sales by 3%.

Upselling may make a big impact on your sales when the Fourth approaches, and your consumers are buying items for their parties and celebrations. After all, who doesn’t want to have the best party on the block?

4. Create an Independence Day Calendar 

Holiday calendars are a great way to get your customer excited for the festivities and keep your brand top-of-mind for them, and Independence Day is no exception. This feature creates a sense of urgency, reminding clients that the Fourth is approaching and that they should make their purchases as soon as possible. Adjusting themes and features to emphasize the approaching holiday can greatly improve the customer experience and encourage people to keep shopping. 

If you integrate free shipping, upselling, gift cards, and holiday calendars to your eCommerce site this Fourth of July, you should get pleased customers who enjoy visiting your site and reaping the benefits of your efforts. 

Remember, every satisfied customer is a potential plus for your brand in the form of positive online reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations to their friends and families. If you’re indecisive on which tip to implement in your eCommerce this Fourth of July, we would suggest going big and integrating all of them. 

5. Fourth of July Specific Sales

Last but not least, Fourth of July-specific sales and promotions are a great way to drive sales, attract customers, and boost your brand awareness. Sales can bring in new customers as well, helping grow your brand while increasing revenue. 

One strategy to consider is using a big sale on one particular item to get customers in-store and purchase other items on sale. For example, hamburgers and hotdogs are Fourth of July classics. If you run a sale on hotdogs, hamburgers, buns, and essential condiments, you can get customers in-store with that sale and encourage them to purchase your other products. 

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