Canada Goose Retail Marketing Activation - Soho, New York City
Splendid Retail Store Experiential Activation Marketing Example - Santa Monica, CA
Rag and Bone In-Store Retail Marketing Hot Cider Bar Activation - Downtown, Chicago
Levi's Retail Marketing Makeover Photoshoot Activation - Meatpacking, New York City
amazon fresh grocery store grand opening
Jewelry Store Retail Marketing Street Experiential Activation - Downtown, Boston
Primark In-Store Stylist Fashion Photoshoot Experiential Marketing Experience - King of Prussia, PA
Primark In-Store Experiential Retail Marketing Experience - King of Prussia Mall, PA
Customization Iron-On In-Store Retail Event Markeing Example
Iron-On Patch Station Experiential Retail Marketing Custom Embriodery - Retail Marketing Experience
Canada Goose Retail Marketing Activation - Soho, New York City
Splendid Retail Store Experiential Activation Marketing Example - Santa Monica, CA
Rag and Bone In-Store Retail Marketing Hot Cider Bar Activation - Downtown, Chicago
Levi's Retail Marketing Makeover Photoshoot Activation - Meatpacking, New York City
Levi's Retail Marketing Stylist Makeover Photoshoot Activation - Meatpacking, New York City
amazon fresh grocery store grand opening
Jewelry Store Retail Marketing Street Experiential Activation - Downtown, Boston
Primark In-Store Stylist Fashion Photoshoot Experiential Marketing Experience - King of Prussia, PA
Primark In-Store Experiential Retail Marketing Experience - King of Prussia Mall, PA
Customization Iron-On In-Store Retail Event Markeing Example
Iron-On Patch Station Experiential Retail Marketing Custom Embriodery - Retail Marketing Experience
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RETAIL ACTIVATION MARKETING and Why It's Effective

Generate attention, visits, and engagement with experiential retail activations 

Promote grand openings and seasonal sales

Engage people with sharable brand activities

Connect with people outside the store

Influence people's perception and purchase behavior

Track effectiveness with call-to-actions, promo codes, and sales

 

What is retail activation marketing?

Retail activation leverages real-world experiences to promote store openings, engage shoppers, create shareable moments, and stimulate purchases. 

It is often classified as experiential retail, in-store events, or shopper marketing activations by companies.

It is a subset of your ongoing retail marketing - activations are special events that occur once a month, during holidays, or for certain seasons.

Experiential activations are components of retail grand openings and a way to celebrate anniversaries.

Retail activations occur in-store, on city sidewalks, inside malls, at nearby commuter stations, and in other strategic locations to engage people. 

The tactics range from unique in-store experiences to street teams to interactive store window performances.

Retail marketing activations are implemented on the public sidewalks in major cities (e.g., New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Seattle, Washington DC, etc.) without city permits.

When activating inside a mall, permission is required. 

A well-equipped retail marketing activation involves:

  • A unique brand experience
  • Standout outfitting
  • Custom props or signs
  • An incentive for people to make purchases

Effective retail marketing activations are leveraged via social media and influencer integrations. 

 

Retail activation marketing services

 

1.) Creation of retail activation strategies and ideas to achieve your goal

2.) Design and fabrication of your retail marketing assets - outfits, activities, etc.

3.) Planning, staffing, training, outfitting, management, and real-time reporting 

4.) Activation assessment, recap, and improvements for your next outing

 

 

Top benefits of retail activation marketing

 

1.) Find new customers and reaffirm relationships with existing ones

2.) Promote retail shop openings, sales, and special events

3.) Get shoppers to engage with your brand on Instagram

4.) Extend your brand experience beyond the store

5.) Gather firsthand insights on shopper behavior, opinions, and actions

6.) Generate authentic brand content

7.) Drive incremental sales - when people are enjoying themselves, they make more purchases

8.) Create stronger relationships and brand loyalty 

 

Availability

 

Retail activations are available in every big city from New York to Chicago to Los Angeles and every one in between.

 

 

Process

 

Share with us your goals and any ideas you'd like to bring to life.

Receive a retail activation recommendation within three days.

Enhance the recommendation with your insights and ideas.

Once we have a retail marketing concept you'd super psyched about, we'll create an agreement.

Planning and production to start four weeks before your first retail event date.

 

 

Takeaways

 

One-of-a-kind retail activations make your brand memorable and unique.

It works for all retail types - fashion, technology, grocery, entertainment, restaurant, etc.

Integrating social, influencers, and other forms of digital marketing dramatical increase your outcomes.

Retail activation is essential to building interest, traffic, community, and sales.

 

 

Connect

 

Share your retail activation ideas and goals for a complimentary proposal. 

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Explore

 

If you'd like to explore more retail marketing ideas, check out Mall Activations

 

 

Retail Activation Marketing FAQ

Retail event marketing is hosting an event inside or outside your store to attract, engage, and incentivize people to make purchases.

It's a form of experiential marketing custom-tailored for store environments and goals.

 

Best retail marketing activation  ideas are those that align with your brand, products you sell, and customer profile interests - here are a few:

1.) Access to limited-edition product release

2.) Onsite product customization or personalization 

3.) Free workshops or classes

4.) Influencer meet-and-greets

5.) Purchase-to-participate brand experiences 

6.) Host a brand cause or charity event

The cost for a retail marketing activation varies depending upon the concept, duration, size. and scope. 

Although, most experiential retail marketing activations are in the $3,500 to $7,500 range

Due to the high investment, it is essential for retail marketing activations to build-in an amazing call-to-action offer, plus promote it digitally prior, during, and post to increase brand sales. 

Retail Activation Examples

Jewerly Retail Store Street Team Ice Sculpture Guerilla Marketing Activation - Downtown, Boston

Long's Jewelers

Primark Experiential Retail Store Photoshoot Marketing Activation Event

Primark

Holidays Retail Store Marketing Cider Bar Activaiton - Chicago and Los Angeles

Rag & Bone