Chesterfield businesses can boost their bottom-line with Pokémon Go

Chesterfield-based Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers says small businesses should consider using the new Pokémon Go phenomenon to boost their business this summer.

Since being launched in the Apple App Store, it has turned areas of the region into Pokémon hotspots, attracting hundreds of people Pokémon hunting with the app.
Part of the game involves walking to ‘Pokéstops’ – checkpoints that correlate with real life places and businesses that give in-game items and where in-app purchases can be used to buy and use items known as ‘lures’ that attract rarer Pokémon.

Laura Pain, Head of Small Business at Mitchells explained: “Our offices are based in the centre of Chesterfield and we see people every day walking up and down Saltergate hunting for Pokémon. There’s a great opportunity for small businesses to use the Pokémon Go phenomenon to their benefit.

“Shops, cafes and restaurants in Chesterfield can offer discounts and incentives for players to walk into their premises, while other businesses can use their social media accounts to join in the online conversation. It’s a great opportunity for small businesses to engage with customers during the quieter summer months.”

For businesses that want to get make the most of Pokémon Go, Laura offers the following tips:

1. Use Lures – In Pokémon Go, there are things called lures. These can be obtained through levelling up or buying them through the online store and can be used at the millions of ‘Pokéstops’ around the world to bring more Pokémon to the area. Businesses have already been using these to attract people to cafés and stores and, sure enough, it’s working. A restaurant in London tried the method and ended up increasing revenues by 26%.

2. Talk about it on social media – We all know what a powerful tool social media can be, so use it to interact with your customers on a slightly more personal level than usual. Ask them what different types of Pokémon they’ve caught and get conversation flowing, it could lead to a visit into the store. Another idea that has been working well is to simply ask for a picture of a Pokémon being caught in your restaurant, café, or shop in order to receive a discount on the next purchase.

3. Talk to your staff about it – It is always good to build relationships with staff and discussing the current trends can be a great way to do so. Just asking your staff about what Pokémon they caught at the weekend can lead to a surprisingly lengthy conversation and you will soon find yourself getting to know your colleagues a lot better.