Looking to boost sales at your quilt store?
Selling fabric and quilting supplies can be profitable, but if you get stuck in the same routines, revenue may start to plateau. To keep customers engaged, you need a variety of creative strategies.
Rather than focusing only on sales, the best retail businesses aim to turn shoppers into loyal fans. By using marketing channels like loyalty programs, social media, and in-person events, you can motivate your customers to come back to your quilt store again and again for all their fabric needs.
In this blog, we’ll show you how to increase sales in retail with seven proven strategies. Each one is designed to help you attract more shoppers, strengthen customer loyalty, and set your quilt store up for long-term success.
Let’s dive in.
Offering discounts is a great way to increase sales — especially for products that have been sitting on the shelves a little too long. Limited-time deals create a sense of urgency, encouraging customers to buy now rather than later. To get the most out of your discounts, make sure they’re clearly advertised. Use a mix of digital tools (like email and social media) and in-store signage to spread the word and draw in more shoppers.
Seasonal promotions around holidays like the Fourth of July, Halloween, and Christmas can effectively boost sales. These deals might target seasonal fabric or cover your entire store, depending on your inventory goals. Another popular tactic is a buy one, get one (BOGO) offer, which helps move stock quickly while encouraging customers to add more to their cart.
Upselling and cross-selling are smart techniques to maximize the value of each customer’s purchase. Upselling motivates customers to spend a bit more by choosing a better or upgraded version of the product they’re interested in. Cross-selling, on the other hand, involves suggesting an additional item that complements what they’re already buying.
Place smaller items close to registers to encourage impulse buys. These can include essentials like:
You can also create prepackaged bundles for specific projects. Include everything a customer might need — fabric, batting, thread, and a few basic sewing supplies. Shoppers often go for this option out of convenience, especially if it’s slightly discounted compared to buying each item separately.
As you explore how to increase sales in retail, it’s important to consider additional channels for selling your quilt supplies. Selling online, for instance, opens up new revenue opportunities beyond your local customer base. Adding e-commerce may seem overwhelming at first, but modern digital tools make it much easier to get a website up and running.
As you set up your site, include high-quality images and detailed product descriptions so customers know exactly what they’re buying. Once you’re ready to launch, be sure to spread the word — advertise in store, online, and wherever you connect with your customers. To draw attention to your online store, spotlight your top-selling products. These might include popular quilt patterns, seasonal fabrics, or quilting tools like rotary cutters and rulers.
Collecting customer reviews on your site is another effective way to build trust. Remember: Even with a solid fulfillment and shipping process, issues can still pop up from time to time. Make sure online shoppers can get in touch with you to ask questions related to their orders.
Related Read: E-Commerce Website Best Practices for Quilt and Fabric Stores
Loyalty programs are a popular strategy among retail businesses, and for good reason — they reward repeat customers with perks that encourage them to keep coming back. Rewards can be based on the number of purchases made, dollars spent, or points earned. You might also structure your program in tiers, where customers unlock additional benefits as they move up through higher levels.
To effectively manage a loyalty program, you need digital tools that can track customer points. Some point of sale (POS) systems include built-in loyalty features, making it easy to record purchases and apply rewards.
These rewards may come in the form of discounts, specific products, or points that can be redeemed for store credit. For example, you can offer an exclusive quilt bundle or a store-branded cutting mat when customers reach a certain threshold. Once shoppers start receiving rewards, they’re more likely to choose your quilt store over a competitor.
Related Read: Why and How To Start a Loyalty Program for Your Sewing Store
Social media is a valuable tool for increasing brand awareness and building a sense of community around your quilt store. You can also use it to connect directly with individual customers. Set up business accounts on platforms like Facebook and Instagram and share images or videos that give viewers a sense of your store and its products.
Post your top-selling fabrics, new arrivals, in-store event details, or simple sewing tutorials. Highlighting your customers — by showcasing their quilts and other sewing projects — is a great way to show appreciation and spark inspiration for others.
Take time to respond to comments and direct messages when you can. Customers might give you a compliment, offer suggestions, or ask for help with an order. These interactions help you better understand your audience and build trust over time.
Related Read: 7 Quilt Store Marketing Strategies To Implement Today
Strategically organizing your quilt store encourages customers to browse longer and buy more. Start by keeping your space clean and clutter-free. Feature top sellers and new arrivals in prominent displays, and arrange fabrics by type, style, and color so shoppers can easily find what they need.
To keep everything looking fresh, regularly maintain your displays. Hang sample quilts and set out quilting books to inspire customers with ideas for their next project.
If you have the space, consider adding a demo area for hosting classes or workshops. It’s also important to have a dedicated storage room to hold new shipments before they’re ready to go out on the sales floor.
Hosting in-person events at your quilt store builds community, boosts customer loyalty, and gets people through the doors of your store, where customers are more likely to make a purchase. Popular events include quilting classes or workshops that teach specific skills. Offering both beginner and advanced sessions allows you to serve a wide range of quilters.
Consider inviting guest instructors, like sewing influencers or local experts, to lead special workshops. These events generate word-of-mouth buzz and increase interest. Many quilt stores charge a fee for these classes, often including supplies in the price of admission.
You can also offer open studio times when customers work on their own projects. This brings more customers into your store, and if they need supplies for their project, there’s a good chance they buy them from your shelves.
Related Read: How To Teach a Quilt Class: 8 Pro Tips
In the modern retail landscape, boosting sales requires creative solutions. As you learn how to increase sales in retail, try a variety of strategies to see what resonates with your customers. If in-person events are a big hit, keep hosting them. If you gain a following on social media, continue to use this channel to advertise your products. If another method fails to move the needle, take a break from it and focus on more effective methods.
Your business’ long-term success depends on customer loyalty. Rather than just a transaction, encourage customers to attend events, follow you on social media, and become part of the community around your brand. This leads them to make frequent purchases, helping you maintain consistent revenue.
Before you can implement these strategies, you need digital tools that are suited to your business’ needs. That’s where our platform comes in.
Like Sew is an all-in-one POS system built just for quilt stores. Our cloud-based software includes features such as loyalty program tools, a website builder, event scheduler, and a full marketing suite to assist you in boosting sales. It also handles functions like simple customer checkout — complete with fractional yardage calculation — inventory management, and e-commerce.
To see what Like Sew can do for your quilt store, schedule a demo today!