If you’ve ever wandered into a Barnes & Noble bookstore, you know there are plenty of reasons to linger.
Cozy seating, the scent of fresh coffee, inviting displays, and a mix of quiet nooks and social spaces all work together to make you want to stay.
Barnes & Noble understands that the longer customers spend time in the store, the more likely they are to buy. Fabric stores can take this same principle and tailor it to their own audience — shoppers who love to touch, imagine, and plan before they purchase.
In this blog, we break down how to keep customers in your store longer by creating an environment that encourages extended visits, bigger baskets, and more repeat business.
Let’s dive in.
Quilters, sewists, and crafters rarely leave with just one thing. But when their arms are full, they tend to stop browsing sooner.
Even in small fabric shops, offering lightweight baskets, branded totes, or rolling carts makes it easier for shoppers to carry bolts, notions, and patterns.
Here are some ideas:
Since customers with full hands tend to browse less, giving them simple ways to carry their items is a great first step in learning how to keep customers in your store longer.
Unexpected little moments can turn a quick errand into an hour-long visit.
In a fabric store, surprises might look like:
These small, creative touches add fun and personality to your shop, encouraging customers to stick around — and come back often.
Friendly and helpful associates are one of the top reasons customers continue to visit physical stores.
In a fabric shop, that means:
If someone buys interfacing, for instance, a staff member can slip in a printed tip sheet with care instructions and project ideas.
Related Read: Run Fabric Classes In-Store in 7 Simple Steps
Hands-on experiences are a natural fit for fabric stores. They don’t have to be full-length classes — sometimes a quick, casual demo works even better to keep people browsing.
Here are a few ideas:
Schedule demos during peak hours (like Saturday mornings) so the most people can benefit.
Fabric shopping is already a tactile experience, but you can create a richer, more memorable environment by engaging every sense.
Here’s how:
Instead of just lining bolts in rows, group fabrics and supplies by project type.
For example:
This helps customers visualize their next project and often encourages them to buy more than they originally planned.
Set up a few tables with irons, cutting mats, and sewing machines for open studio time. Charge a small fee or make it free for customers who purchase materials that day.
Shoppers stay longer, buy extra supplies, and form friendships that keep them coming back week after week.
Related Read: 8 Proven Promotion Ideas for Fabric Shops
Dedicate a wall, bulletin board, or digital slideshow to customer work. Ask them to bring in finished projects made with your fabrics, then feature their photos with captions like, “Made with love from our shop to your home.”
When customers feel part of your store’s story, they’re more likely to return and invite friends.
Quilting is creative, but it’s also social. Consider setting up a small sitting area with cozy chairs, a quilted throw, and maybe a pot of tea or coffee on weekends.
This gives spouses or kids a place to hang out while the quilter browses — and it sends a clear signal: “You’re welcome to take your time here.”
Rotate displays and events often so customers always find something new.
For example:
Freshness keeps your store from ever feeling static — and it gives shoppers a reason to come back.
Learning how to keep customers in your store longer gets much easier when your point of sale (POS) system, e-commerce website, classes, marketing, and loyalty program all work together.
Like Sew gives quilt shops an all‑in‑one tool kit built specifically for fabric stores, so shoppers linger, learn, and buy more — online and in store.
With our cloud-based software, you can:
Ready to keep customers in your store longer? Book a demo to see how Like Sew can help.