Pulse November 2016 | Page 58

PSYCHOLOGY OF THE BUYING MIND BUYING STAGE YOUR ACTION 1. Not Interested (Unaware) Create Awareness (question, fact, image) 2. Thinking Push a “Button” (need, want, fear, dream etc) 3. Looking Explain, Demonstrate, Discover (give it a shot) 4. Buying Invite to Buy (state price and call to action) Having products on your shelf without the secret sales appeal is like advertising the airplane but not the destination people dream of seeing. Why can’t spa owners utilize with strategic sophistication other industry best practices in their own spa environments? What if I tell you there is a formula to guest engagement? It is possible for your guests to be excited by your retail products and service offerings or even be inspired to start the conversation with their massage therapists or estheticians. Spas that complain or wish they had more retail sales often fall into one of three categories: 1. 56 PULSE Reluctant Retailer. Reluctant Retailers are afraid of being perceived as salesy, ■ November 2016 pushy, tacky or commercial and are totally devoid of any cues that create the “buying desire.” They don’t hang their brand’s posters. They don’t advertise specials or promos. They don’t even display their own styling work or service offers. They create either a “cozy environment that helps guests feel at home” or one that is modern and sophisticated like a luxury hotel or an art gallery where everything is beautiful, but not directly related to the services or products they sell. This puts 100 percent of the pressure and responsibility on the team to promote to a guest who is often unreceptive because his or her “subconscious buying mind” has not been engaged to think beyond the current service or treatment. Products are often on discreet shelves as an afterthought, creating zero client engagement in the process. 2. Rush Retailer. The total opposite of the Reluctant Retailer, the Rush Retailer creates retail areas overrun with options that are stacked convenience-store style for self-serve opportunities without any reflection on the result that each product may offer. Although Rush Retailers’ sales are often higher because they have more options to offer, guest engagement is largely discount-driven or appealing only to an established market for certain products. 3. Random Retailer. The Random Retailer may have monthly promotions and advertise throughout the store, but often employs a direct-marketing style that produces random sales (i.e. clearance or 50 percent off signs). There is no specific guest engagement or discovery,