Competing
against bigger players in your market can be tough. The usual marketing
tactic used is just lower prices which are not a healthy option for your
business.
One way to beat the big guys is to be creative with the marketing of your products or services and this is the story of how a small business went up against very powerful competitors.
The story centres on focusing on captialising on opportunities to gain sales and customers by providing extra services rather than implementing the latest marketing tactic.
Background
Quakers Hill Country Fresh Meats opened for business about 17 months ago and directly competes with the two largest supermarkets. Recently both supermarkets announced they were reducing prices on a lot of products and when they have specials the prices go even lower.
The supermarkets have been heavily advertising these price reductions in the media and in store to ensure all were aware of this move. Although the butcher shop has competitive prices the owner needed a way to ensure his customers were not enticed to buy their meats from the supermarket.
Creative Marketing
Quakers Hill Country Meats became creative with their marketing and introduced new services that the supermarkets did not offer as a way of competing effectively. They included:
- Offering cooked meats such as a roast that customers can pick up on their way home. They also include cooked vegetables if the customers want them.
- Free home delivery
- Spits on weekends and public hoildays including salads and rolls and of course the meat.
Their story has made news and they have has been featured on television and in the press as an example of playing their own game based on the needs of their customers.
To capitalise on their success to date the owners are currently developing a website which no doubt will make it even easier for their customers to select their meats and meals for the family.
Marketing Lessons
- Get to understand your customers very well before choosing your marketing tactics
- Look at opportunities that help both your business and customers instead of focusing on the problems
- Look at what extra services or products you could offer that makes your customers’ life easier
- Don’t follow what everyone else does
- The simple ideas can be powerful for your business
Marketing your products or services does not have to be complicated. Sometimes the best opportunities for your business and customers can be simple, creative ideas.
K&B
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