Look, I’ve sat with enough shop owners in Brisbane to know the feeling. You’re standing behind the counter, the shop looks great, the stock is sorted, but the street is quiet. You start checking your phone, wondering if the roadworks down the street are killing you or if people just aren't buying this month.
Most people will tell you to 'do more social media' or 'run a sale.' Honestly? That’s lazy advice. If you want more people walking through your door, you need to stop thinking like a shopkeeper and start thinking like a destination.
I’m going to be straight with you: getting foot traffic in this economy isn't about hope. It’s about a few specific moves that actually move the needle. Here is what we’ve seen work for our clients who are actually making money right now.
Your Google Profile is Your Real Front Door
Before someone walks past your shop in New Farm or Indooroopilly, they’ve probably already looked you up. If your Google business profile looks like a ghost town, they aren't coming in.
I’m not talking about just having your hours right. I’m talking about photos that make people want to be there. Most business owners take one blurry photo of the sign and call it a day. That’s rubbish. You need photos of the inside, photos of your best-selling gear, and even a photo of you smiling.
People buy from people. They want to see what the vibe is before they commit to parking the car. And for the love of god, reply to your reviews. Even the bad ones. Especially the bad ones. It shows you actually give a damn.
Stop Chasing Strangers
We see this all the time. Owners spend a fortune on Facebook ads trying to find new people, while their old customers haven't heard from them in six months.
It is five times cheaper to get a regular back in than it is to find a new person. If you’ve got a list of phone numbers or emails sitting in your point-of-sale system doing nothing, you’re literally leaving money on the table.
You should be sending a text or a short email once a fortnight. Not a 'newsletter'—nobody reads those. Just a quick note saying, 'Hey, we just got some new stock in' or 'We’re doing a quiet VIP night for regulars on Thursday.'
When you focus on your segmentation strategies, you stop shouting at the wind and start talking to people who already like you. That’s how you turn a slow Tuesday into a busy one.
Give Them a Reason to Leave the House
Let’s be real: people can buy almost anything online while they’re sitting on the loo. If your shop is just a place where stuff sits on shelves, you’re competing with Amazon. You’ll lose that fight every time.
You have to offer something the internet can't. That might be expert advice, a 'try before you buy' setup, or just a bloody good chat. But sometimes, you need a hook.
We’ve found that local events are one of the fastest ways to get fifty people in the door at once. It doesn't have to be a massive party. It could be a workshop, a product demo, or a 'meet the maker' afternoon.
If you run a bike shop, do a basic maintenance night. If you run a boutique, do a styling session. It gets people over the threshold. Once they’re in and they’ve got a drink in their hand, they’re much more likely to pull out their wallet.
The 'Look Up' Rule
Walk across the street from your shop right now. Look at it. Does it look open? Does it look inviting?
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked past a shop and couldn't tell if they were actually trading because the lights were dim or the windows were covered in old posters.
Your window display is your 24/7 salesman. It shouldn't be cluttered. Pick one thing, make it look amazing, and light it up like a Christmas tree. Even when you’re closed, that window is selling for you. If it looks boring, people will keep walking.
Beat the Big Boys at Their Own Game
Small shops often feel like they can't compete with the big guys at Westfield. But you have a massive advantage: you’re a local. You can do things they can’t.
You can remember a customer's name. You can recommend a coffee shop next door. You can be part of the community. When you lean into being a local fixture, you start to win more sales because people want to support you.
Collaborate with the business next door. If you’re a hair salon, put some vouchers in the florist next door, and vice versa. It’s free, it builds goodwill, and it sends their customers to you.
What This Costs and How Long It Takes
I promised to be honest about the money.
Updating your Google profile? Free. Just takes an hour of your time.
Sending a text blast to your regulars? Might cost you 50 or 100 bucks in software fees, but you’ll usually make that back in the first hour of trading.
Running an event? Maybe a few hundred for some drinks and snacks.
You don't need a $10,000 marketing budget to see results. You just need to be consistent. If you start doing these things today, you’ll see more people in the shop within the week. It’s not magic; it’s just being proactive.
My Honest Take
Most shop owners are waiting for the economy to 'fix itself.' It won't. The shops that are thriving in Brisbane right now are the ones that are actively dragging people in.
Stop worrying about 'brand awareness' and start worrying about how many people are crossing your threshold. If they aren't coming in, ask yourself why. Is it because they don't know you exist, or because you haven't given them a good enough reason to park the car?
If you’re sick of looking at an empty shop and want a hand figuring out which of these moves to make first, give us a shout at Local Marketing Group. We don't do fluff; we just help you get more customers.