This past November, my husband, my almost 2-year-old son and I flew to Oahu for our first family vacation just the three of us. It was also our first time visiting Hawaii. When we finally arrived at our hotel after a long flight, we couldn’t wait to drop off our belongings and throw on our beach clothes and head to the beach, just a few blocks away.
And despite all my preparations, I had forgotten one essential beach item — flip-flops. Thankfully, a few yards from our hotel, one of the local ABC Stores sold a range of flip-flops in multiple sizes, styles and price points. I found exactly what I was looking for and slipped my cute new flip-flops on my feet before I even left the store. What a relief!
While on our island adventure, we spent one afternoon visiting Waikiki Aquarium. My son was so excited to see the colorful tropical fish, jellyfish, turtles, coral and especially the sharks swimming inside the ginormous tanks. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so happy! His huge ear-to-ear grin and excited shouts as he ran from exhibit to exhibit was something I didn’t want to forget anytime soon. Lucky for us, the small gift shop inside the aquarium helped us accomplish that goal. We found something for the whole family: a shark figurine for my husband, a Waikiki Aquarium tank top for me, and a shark plush toy and shark book for my son. Now back home in San Diego, when I see any of the aforementioned items, I remember how happy my son was and it takes me back to that special memory.
As a seaside retailer, it can be easy to forget what an important role you play in enhancing the experience of the visitors who come into your stores. Maybe like my family, this is the first time they’ve been to your town. They aren’t sure when they will be coming back, but they know they want to remember those precious moments.
Don’t underestimate your store’s worth to the many people who come through your doors each day.
Perhaps they are repeat visitors and just want to pick up a gift for a family member that they can’t get back home, or you might just be their lifeline when the essential beach item they need (swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, a towel or flip-flops) was accidentally forgotten.
Don’t underestimate your store’s worth to the many people who come through your doors each day. Sometimes we get caught up in the daily grind, but it is important to put yourself in your customers’ shoes and really appreciate your role in making their time at the beach the best it can be.
