New Mobile-Friendly Loyalty Program For Antique Malls & Consignment Stores

PHOENIX - Sept. 8, 2014 - PRLog -- Pickering Consulting Group announces the release of the LoyaltyABC Marketing System for antique malls, antique and craft fairs, consignment shops, and similar businesses.

Antique malls and consignment shops have a unique set of challenges in developing a coordinated marketing strategy, including multiple independent booth owners who are rarely there, constantly-changing inventory, relatively little customer engagement, and a lack of specialized marketing programs.

Now there is a complete online system that helps antique malls build strong relationships with their customers and boost repeat business.

"The best way to boost revenue at the lowest cost is to concentrate on getting existing customers, who already know you and like you, to come back in more often and give you more business", said Paul Pickering, president of Pickering Consulting Group.

"The first step to success is to find out who they are and how to contact them. Next is to understand what they're looking for. Are they occasional browsers, collectors looking for a particular category of item, or do they have a specific, unique need?"

"Vendors (booth owners) may have differing interests, too. Some may specialize in a particular category - Art Deco, books, or clothing, for example - and some may stock a broad range of items."

"With our new system, antique malls and consignment shops can satisfy the needs of each group of customers and vendors."

"First, customers join the in-store 'Preferred Customer Program'. Once they're members, they can tell the store exactly what they're interested in, whether it's a category of items or a particular piece, or search for a vendor who specializes in a particular area."

"Vendors can view the complete list of customer interests and requests, send and respond to individual messages, or broadcast a message to a selected interest group. They can also set up their own Vendor Profile Page that promotes their business."

"The antique mall management can promote their store to the complete Preferred Customer Club list with a monthly email newsletter that gives news and information, highlights upcoming sales and special events, additional services such as repairs or appraisals, even offer special discounts to Club members."

"The system also includes a 'fill-in-the-blanks' mobile web site that can be set up in minutes and accessed from any mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet."

A detailed list of system features includes:

-- A complete "Preferred Customer Club" program - Customers sign up by scanning a QR code into their smartphone, typing a short web address into a PC, or filling out a form in the store or on a web site. Once they confirm their membership, they can access their own unique login area where they can submit special requests, ask to be notified about particular item categories, or read and respond to messages from booth owners.

-- A separate login area for booth owners where they can set up a profile page that is viewable by customers, view and reply to customer requests, and check Preferred Customer Club information.

-- A built-in mobile-friendly web site so that mall customers can see store information, business hours & location, or log into their Preferred Customer account. LoyaltyABC clients can add their logo and customize the site "look & feel" with 16 different style combinations.

The web site contains up to twelve pages including: business description; hours of operation; inventory overview; other services offered; team member gallery; store image gallery; location & map; current special offer; video gallery; and Preferred Customer club signup & login.

-- A professional email system to send out HTML messages or newsletters, and view the results of email campaigns. Clients can make their own templates or use one of the supplied standard templates. In addition, email texts are included for standard operations such as signing up new vendors.

-- A graphics library with hundreds of elements such as seasonal graphics, sales-related items, dividers, buttons and backgrounds.

-- A promotional flyer system to quickly make printable flyers in postcard or letter format, including QR code, images, and mall information.

-- Easy integration with other online programs such as an existing web site, Facebook, Twitter, or a Wordpress blog.

"The system can be set up in a couple of hours and doesn't even require a permanent 'bricks & mortar' location, so it's particularly useful for capturing visitor information at events such as antique shows or festivals, where thousands of people come together for a few days and then disperse. Those people could all be potential customers long after the event is over," said Pickering.

"Even during the show itself, buyers can post requests for unusual items using a smartphone or other mobile device. Those requests go to potentially hundreds of vendors, who can post replies immediately."

"Posting multiple flyers at the event to gather sign-ups can yield a huge reward for very little outlay."

The system is available now. It is completely web-based, so it can be accessed from any location with Internet access. Pricing starts at $29 per month for a mall with up to 100 independent dealers. For other requirements, please contact Pickering Consulting Group.

For more information or to order, visit the LoyaltyABC product page at http://www.loyaltyabc.com/labc-products/antiques-consignm....