Join the Central Alberta Thrift Crawl - July 4
Amber reached out and said “Hey! I’d love to include your shop in my upcoming thrift crawl! I’m gonna come with 50 excited shoppers”. You instantly respond “YES! I am so excited”. You click send and allow a joyous smile to spread across your face. You are going to have 50 excited shoppers in your shop all at once! But then you realize ‘ohhh, I’m gonna have 50 excited shoppers in my shop, all at once…’. The smile slowly fades, while panic creeps in. How do you prepare? What do you do? How do you make this a great experience for the excited shoppers coming, so they love your store and come back for more on their own?
It's important to keep in mind that ultimately all shoppers want to feel special and these shoppers are PAYING to come see you, so how can you make that happen?! A thrift crawl can bring a wave of new customers through your doors, boost sales, grow your social following, and introduce your store to people who may become regulars.
The key is making sure you're ready when the crowds arrive.
Here's how to get your thrift store thrift-crawl ready.
PERSONAL NOTE: Below is just a list of ideas you *could use*. If you don't have the time, resources or mental capacity, don't feel you have to go crazy! A clean, stocked store and a friendly smile are the only real requirements!
When guests come over to your house, you probably do a little tidying up, put out your best snacks, and make sure everything is welcoming. A thrift crawl is no different.
Many shoppers will be stepping into your store for the very first time. You want them to walk in and immediately think:
"Wow, I need to come back here."
Everything you do leading up to the event should focus on creating that experience.
Now is the perfect time for a store refresh.
Take a walk through your shop with fresh eyes and ask yourself:
Are the aisles easy to browse?
Are displays eye-catching?
Are fitting rooms clean?
Is signage clear?
Are your best treasures getting the spotlight they deserve?
A little merchandising magic can go a long way. Create featured displays, showcase unique vintage pieces, and put some conversation-starting items near the entrance to draw shoppers in.
Remember: thrift crawl shoppers love discovering something unexpected.
This is not the time to let your best inventory hide in the back room.
Before the crawl:
Restock shelves and racks.
Process donations and backstock.
Refill popular sections.
Rotate fresh items onto the floor.
Nothing creates excitement like shoppers feeling they're the first to discover a great find.
Also, it might be a good idea to bring out the stored away seasonal supplies. Shoppers may be inspired to get excited for Christmas by seeing a whole table of decorations - even in July!
Special event promotions can make your store stand out among all the stops on the crawl.
Some fun ideas include:
Spin-to-win prize wheel
Door prize
Storewide discounts especially for them that day
A discount code for their NEXT trip back
Color-tag specials
Mystery discount cards
Gift bags
Giveaway baskets
"Golden Ticket" hidden somewhere in the store
People love a little extra excitement, and interactive promotions create memorable experiences.
Your staff are your secret weapon. You may need to call in some reinforcements of volunteers and family members so make sure they are well trained and know how to paint your store in the best light! A friendly greeting, a helpful suggestion, or enthusiasm about the event can make a huge difference.
Before the crawl:
Review promotions and event details - everyone should be knowledgeable
Assign roles. Does Becky panic under pressure? Maybe cashier isn't for her today. Is Nathan great at chatting with customers? Have him greeting everyone at the door!
Prepare for busy checkout lines.
Encourage staff to engage with shoppers.
If your team is having fun, customers usually will too.
Please keep in mind that 50 shoppers means hopefully 50 checkouts! Have your staff up to date on the check out process. Thrift Crawl Day is not the day for newbie training.
The stores people talk about after a thrift crawl are often the ones that create a vibe.
Consider adding:
A fun playlist
A photo wall or selfie station “Thanks! It’s thrifted!” is an iconic brag to pose with!
Light refreshments
Themed displays
You don't need a huge budget. Small details often make the biggest impact.
A thrift crawl is social-media gold.
In the weeks leading up to the event, share:
Sneak peeks of new inventory
Staff favorites
Vintage finds
Event countdowns
Promotion announcements
During the crawl, post photos, videos and customer finds throughout the day.
Don't be shy about encouraging visitors to tag your store and share their discoveries. Thrifters love showing off their best finds. In the thrifting world, a good find is the best brag!
Amber will have signed photo releases of all participants so feel free to snap photos!
You will likely be busier than a typical Saturday. A lot of people in a short window of time.
A few things to double-check:
Payment systems are working.
Staff schedules are covered.
Shopping baskets are available.
Change and supplies are stocked.
Checkout areas are organized.
A smooth shopping experience keeps customers happy—even when the store is packed.
Amber will tell you the time that she intends on showing up in advance, but understand that corralling shoppers can feel a lot like pinning clouds to walls, so allow some grace time.
One of the biggest benefits of a thrift crawl isn't just the sales you make that day—it's the customers who come back later.
Make it easy for shoppers to stay connected:
Collect email signups.
Promote your loyalty program.
Hand out coupons for future visits.
Encourage social media follows.
A shopper who discovers your store during a crawl could become a customer for years to come.
Amber will not be sharing a list of customers to protect their rights, so it’s on you to ask for their emails to add to your email list.
At its heart, thrifting is about discovery, creativity, and community. A thrift crawl brings all of those things together in one exciting event.
So straighten the racks, polish up those displays, bring out some amazing inventory, and get ready to welcome a whole new crowd of treasure hunters through your doors.
Who knows? Their favorite find of the day might just be your store.
-AA