Applebee’s recent surge in popularity among younger consumers can offer valuable lessons for small and independent retailers. The restaurant chain successfully tapped into a social media trend, which resulted in a significant boost in sales and brand awareness.
Harnessing the Power of Social Media Trends
According to a recent Nation’s Restaurant News article, Applebee’s leveraged the power of TikTok, the popular social media platform favored by the younger demographic. They capitalized on a viral trend involving one of their menu items – the Bourbon Street Chicken and Shrimp. By incorporating this trend into their marketing strategy, Applebee’s successfully reached a younger audience and saw a boost in sales.
Implementing a Similar Strategy for Small Retailers
Small retailers can mirror this strategy by keeping an eye on popular social media trends related to their products or industry. Here’s how you can get started:
Stay Active on Social Media: Follow relevant hashtags, influencers, and trending topics. If you spot a trend that aligns with your product range, don’t hesitate to jump in. Stay along with RetailerUplift as we post frequently about the recent TikTok trends.
Engage with Your Audience: Don’t just observe; participate in the conversation. Respond to comments, repost user-generated content, and create your own posts that tie into the trend.
Promote Trending Products: If a particular product starts trending, consider creating special promotions around it to capitalize on the heightened interest.
TL;DR
Small and independent retailers can drive sales and engage younger consumers by tapping into social media trends. Key strategies include staying active on social media, engaging with your audience, promoting trending products, and leveraging tools like Evidnt’s store locator to make shopping at your store as easy as possible.
