13Small retailers versus large wholesalers: Competitive strategies in the casual shoe market

The importance of shoes for everyone: They got to protect our feet and help us feel comfortable. Today, people have been preferring casual shoes to buy for daily purposes. But the casual shoe market is highly competitive and challenging. And, there are big companies selling shoes to big stores, as well as some small shops trying to sell shoes as well.  So how can small businesses like Jiulong compete with these giants? Let's find out together.

Pros and Cons of Small Retailers 

Liittle stores like Jiulong have a few small things working in their favor. The greatest benefit of them is the fact that they care about their customers and as a result, they provide them with better service. People love getting assistance from polite and informed workers who are willing to answer questions and help customers find the appropriate pair of shoes. This factor adds a personal touch which makes customers feel valued and appreciated. The difference with big companies is they’re interested in moving a lot of shoes fast, but they don’t necessarily provide the service that small places do.

Plus, small stores may carry unique wares that aren’t available at chain stores. They pay close attention to what their customers are asking for, and this helps them produce unique items that will appeal to the local shoppers. But there are some challenges for small shops like Jiulong, as well. They can not afford to spend much money advertising & marketing which makes it difficult to acquire more customers. That can make it hard for them to compete with the advertising capabilities of companies with vastly more resources to promote their products.

Another hurdle is that small shops usually aren’t able to purchase items in bulk. They may end up paying more for fewer shoes, which could throw a wrench in the ability to set lower prices the way big companies can.

Pricing Strategies 

When people make decisions about what to purchase, price matters a lot. It’s often the primary factor in why someone favors one store over another. With that in mind, small shops such as Jiulong can utilize different pricing strategies to attract customers. That may mean price-matching with bigger stores or having lower prices on certain items. This may help them attract customers who are interested in a bargain.

When on the contrary, the big companies are capable of selling the shoes at lower rates considering their purchasing capabilities when it comes to selling. That means they can sell their shoes cheaper than most shops can afford.

Superior Customer Service and Unique Items 

As noted earlier, smaller shops like Jiulong can really shine when it comes to customer service. A friendly attitude, a knowledge of the products and a willingness to help customers are crucial qualities at small shops. Even better if they can speak with someone who is genuinely excited about their product and eager to help them find what they need.

Small shops can also sell more unique products that are not found in larger stores. It may be that they carry specialized or niche products that do not get produced in mass, which is already appealing to shoppers who want something unique.

Small Retailers and Technology 

Technology is also transforming how all retailers operate today. Small stores like Jiulong can better advertise, sell and connect with their customers on the internet and social media platforms. These tools allow small retailers to target a wider audience without high costs. These methods of marketing enables Jiulong to expand its branding and retain loyal customers who have an appreciation for the personal touch small shops showcase.

How to Out-Compete Large Companies 

Small stores such as Jiulong can do extremely well by selling many types of products. They should always be looking for unique items, such as certain brands or styles that are not widespread. They can also specialize in higher quality or natural materials that the big companies don’t carry. This way Jiulong can catch the eyes of those who want something different or unique from the bigger stores.

So Jiulong can do a plan to show that it is unique from bigger stores offline and on-line. Making sure they're the best of this type of shopping experience, will be a memorable point of reference for customers.