10 Best Strategies to Boost Sales in the Nightclub and Bar Business in Kenya
There are many big lounges, bars, high-end wines and spirits outlets, and luxury clubs in major cities across Kenya. Examples include Quiver, Alfakher, Alcapon, and Tunnel in Nairobi; Timber XO and Baniyas in Eldoret; and Da Place, Black Pearl, and The Otro in Kisumu.
Because of this, there is huge competition to attract customers and encourage them to spend at your premises. Therefore, management should ensure good marketing strategies to improve sales, or else the business may collapse quickly since clubs usually pay millions in bills, including distributors, workers, and county government licenses.
In this article, if you are a club owner or marketer, I am going to explain, from my experience, the 10 best strategies to boost sales in the nightclub and bar business in Kenya.
This article is by Scott, a photographer who once worked at various clubs in Kenya, later became a marketer, and now has ideas to share to help others.
1. Do a Good Interior and Exterior Design
A club is a place where people come to enjoy themselves, so it should be beautiful to passers-by while also encouraging previous customers to return.
When starting a club, you need to find a good engineer to help create a beautiful interior and exterior design. A good first impression and a well-decorated premise should be among the first things to consider.
2. Have a Professional Photographer and Videographer
Nowadays, every business needs a content creator who can produce good reels and photos to upload on social media platforms for marketing purposes.
This should be done occasionally during special moments such as holidays and weekends, capturing good moments, huge crowds, and anything interesting.
Real-time events should also be captured. For example, when there is a top DJ like Joe Mfalme or DJ Tophaz, a photographer should record their arrival and upload it immediately to the page to attract more people to come and party.
Photographers should also be careful during duty, as mistakes may drive customers away. Photos should only be taken with a person’s consent. Uploading someone’s photo to the internet can cost the club due to privacy violations.
3. Employ Qualified Workers
When hiring employees, ensure you pick not only those with academic qualifications but also those who are ready to work and have experience from other clubs.
Workers should be disciplined, punctual, and know their duties without being constantly followed or reminded.
Ensure you have beautiful hostesses who know how to dance and dress well, as many men who come to drink enjoy such an atmosphere.
4. Have a Good Supplier
This will ensure you order quality alcoholic drinks. A bad supplier may give you counterfeit products, which can put your business at risk.
Such drinks can cause health problems or even death, which may put the club owner in serious trouble. A good supplier will also provide drinks at wholesale prices.
5. Keep the Premises Clean (Especially Toilets)
When people drink more fluids, they need to use the toilet frequently. Customers prefer clean toilets to avoid diseases such as urinary tract infections.
For the ladies’ toilets, put a good mirror and ensure the place is well furnished, as many ladies like taking selfies and sending photos to their friends.
Employ a good cleaner to always clear the mess in the toilets at all times, as some customers may vomit after taking alcohol.
6. Set Up a Nyama Choma Zone Inside the Club
Most partygoers usually love eating nyama choma before drinking alcohol.
Get good chefs who know how to prepare roasted meat well.
7. Have a Good Resident DJ
A resident DJ is always in the club and is very crucial. They play the opening set and also the closing set before and after the guest DJ performs.
A good resident DJ will always keep the early customers entertained, which prevents them from leaving.
Sometimes, the guest DJ may miss the booking due to traffic jams, sickness, or vehicle breakdown, and the resident DJ will take over all the duties.
8. Have a Good Management Team
This includes managers, supervisors, and a social media manager.
This group of people will ensure the club operations run smoothly, payments are well received, and necessary directions are given to junior staff.
9. Pay Workers Well
Ensure you pay workers on time. This will keep them motivated and make them love their work.
Poor payments lower morale, and some workers may even end up stealing to make ends meet.
During seasons of good sales, such as Christmas celebrations, give them a small tip.
10. Have Trained Security Personnel
Clubs always face some security issues.
For example, a lady may find her man with another woman and start a fight. Security personnel help in such situations.
They also help in searching people entering the club and keeping watch on CCTV footage.
