Liquor Stores … What Actions to Take to Compete With Total Wine

If you run a liquor store in any county where Total Wine has recently moved in, you are probably very nervous about the future. We can certainly understand that nervousness.

We frequently get many questions from small businesses on how to compete with their largest competitors. Of course, every situation is different and there are some things from large competitors that you can’t overcome as a small business. On the other hand, there are ways a small business can outplay and outmaneuver to keep many customers in this type of competition.

Here are the ways we believe that local liquor stores can out-compete the large brand Total Wines:

Excelling at customer service

Make every touchpoint with your customers stand out. Create WOW experiences where ever you can. Occasionally surprise your best customers with something special to let them know you appreciate their business.

Be more flexible

Outmaneuver your larger competitors on key customer actions. Make decisions in real-time when you spot things that would impress the customer.

Recognize and solve

All customers have core problems that need solving. Find out what they are and define ways to solve them.

Focus on simplicity

Make everything you do simple for you as well as for your customers.

Make it easy to do business with you

Make actions convenient and time-saving. Don’t underestimate the value of saving your customers time.

Show initiative

Take bold actions

Be social and build customer relationships and trust

Trust is most readily achieved by customer confidence and strong relationships.