How to increase sales in your shop — 7 tactics that actually work

Growth is rarely about doing one big thing. It's about doing seven small things well.

1. Fix your checkout speed

Every extra second at the till is a lost customer. Barcode scanners cost less than one lost sale a week.

2. Track your top 3 lost sales daily

What customers asked for that you didn't have. If it appears three days in a row, stock it.

3. Introduce a loyalty stamp

Even a paper stamp card lifts repeat purchases by 12–18% in our sample.

4. Send a WhatsApp broadcast on Fridays

Not spam — just a picture of what's new. Customers who order via WhatsApp buy twice as much.

5. Place high-margin items at eye level

The middle shelf is prime real estate. Rent it to your best margin.

6. Take M-Pesa the second the goods leave

Auto-confirmation removes the awkward 'has it come through?' pause.

7. Know your winners in real time

Real-time reports let you double-down while it's still Wednesday.