10 Surprising Ways to Grow Your Retail Business Fast

Hello! I'm Samuel Chapman. 

I'm on a mission to show you that every product based business can flourish and grow, no matter the challenges. Regardless what you sell, or whether you have a physical or online location.

With the right knowledge, tools, and a bit of inspiration, you can achieve amazing results.

Feeling stuck trying to grow your retail business?

You’ve tried posting more.
You’ve run a few sales.
And you’ve definitely spent your fair share of time hoping more customers would just appear.

But despite all your hard work footfall is still slow, sales are unpredictable, and you’re fresh out of ideas.

If that sounds familiar, this blog is your sign to try something different.

Below, I’m sharing 10 surprising but proven ways to grow your retail business, strategies most independent retail store owners haven’t even thought about yet.

Some are free. Some are low-cost. All of them?
They’ve worked for my clients, and they can work for you too.

Let’s dive in.

1. Add a QR Code to Your Shop Window (But Don’t Link to Your Website)

Most retailers link QR codes to their homepages and that’s a HUGE mistake.

Instead, link to something unexpected:

• A local shopping guide

• A mystery prize wheel

• A downloadable “Top 5 Gifts Under £20” coupon

One boutique I worked with used a “Scan for a Secret” QR code that led to a free coupon and their walk-ins doubled that week.

Why this works: Curiosity creates clicks, and clicks create customers.

2. Run a “Staff Takeover Week” on Social Media

Your team is your secret marketing weapon. Let them take over your Instagram Stories or Reels for a week.

Encourage behind-the-scenes clips, favourite product picks, funny fails, whatever makes your store human.

One shop saw engagement triple and customers walked in asking for products staff had mentioned.

Why this works: Real people build real trust, we are all craving human connections. 

3. Sell Something You Don’t Normally Sell Just for One Weekend

One fashion store I worked with sold cinnamon buns and cold brew from a local café every Saturday morning.

It turned into a weekend ritual — and retail sales jumped 41% in four weeks.

Why this works: Unexpected pairings + real value = powerful footfall driver.

4. Host a Live Store Walkthrough on Instagram or TikTok

Unboxings are great, but if people can’t see what your shop looks like online, they won’t feel compelled to visit.

Try a casual, friendly store walkthrough.

• Highlight bestsellers

• Show what’s low in stock

• Talk through shelf displays

Why this works: It gives your audience a virtual shop experience and creates urgency through visibility.

5. Partner with a Charity or Local Group for a Purpose-Led Event

Whether it’s a dog rescue, baby group, or food bank... partner up.

One retailer hosted a “Puppy Photos with Santa” event with a dog shelter and made £3,000 more than usual that weekend.

Why this works: You tap into new audiences while doing good and people remember that.

6. Create a Local “Store Crawl” With Other Small Businesses

Think pub crawl — but with independent retailers.

Each shop offers a stamp, reward, or exclusive deal.
This cross-promotion introduces you to new foot traffic and builds community buzz.

Why this works: It’s collaborative, low-cost, and highly engaging.

7. Retarget Checkout Visitors with a Personalised Video Ad

Have an ecommerce website?

Run a video retargeting ad with you in it for people who visited your checkout page but didn’t buy. One client spent just £20 on this and made £278 in return just by recording a “Still thinking about it?” video and sending it out via Meta Ads.

Why this works: It feels personal, direct, and underused... which makes it powerful.

8. Use Google Business Like It’s Instagram

You update Instagram regularly… but when was the last time you updated your Google Business Profile?

One shop updated it weekly with photos, posts, and events and saw a 67% increase in Maps visibility in just 6 weeks.

Why this works: Google rewards fresh content. And most retailers ignore this goldmine.

9. Post a Weekly “What’s In the Shop” Video

Film a 2-minute video every week showcasing new arrivals, bestsellers, or upcoming events. Pin it to the top of your Instagram or Facebook page.

One retailer gained 42 new local followers and 17 new sales in-store after doing this for 8 weeks.

Why this works: Consistency + visibility builds familiarity and familiarity drives footfall.

10. Bundle With a Completely Unrelated Business

Think bigger than just other boutiques or lifestyle shops.

One candle shop I worked with teamed up with a wine shop to sell a “Romantic Night In” bundle. It sold out in 4 days.

Why this works: It creates intrigue, doubles your reach, and gives both audiences something fresh and exciting to talk about.

Ready to Grow Your Retail Business with Strategy, Not Stress?

Growing a successful retail store doesn't mean posting every day, running endless discounts, or hoping for more traffic.

It’s about doing what others aren’t doing yet and doing it with purpose.

These 10 ideas are a great place to start. But if you’re serious about increasing footfall, boosting retail sales, and finally creating a business that works for your life, not against it…

Book your free discovery call now

We’ll build a personalised roadmap tailored to your store, your goals, and your strengths, no guesswork required.

[Click Here to Book] 

Have a great day, 

Samuel Chapman

Retail Growth Coach

@productcoachsam

[email protected]

Got questions or want to chat?

If this post resonated with you, please share it with someone who could benefit from hitting reset and setting intentional goals for their business.

I’m on a mission this year to help as many small business owners as possible have their brightest year yet, and I can only do that with your support.

Drop me a message on Instagram @productcoachsam. I’m here to help you succeed!

Samuel Chapman