A Guide to Maximising Sales
Operating a mobile business in the UK offers incredible flexibility and the chance to reach a wide variety of customers, but timing is everything.
By pinpointing your busiest trading windows, tailoring your menu and upsells, and using creative marketing tactics, you can boost profitability and build a loyal following.
Read on for our breakdown of peak trading hours, product pairings, and crowdโdrawing strategies for every type of mobile business.
Weโll cover:
Coffee Vans
Mornings are makeโorโbreak for mobile coffee vans. The early commuter rush and midโmorning breaks drive the bulk of your sales, so make sure youโre open and ready to serve.
Peak Hours
- Weekdays: 7โฏam โ 11โฏam
- Weekends: 9โฏam โ 11โฏam
Parking
Consistency is key for coffee vans. Parking near busy commuter routes, train stations, or business districts during weekday mornings can help you build a loyal customer base.
If you park in the same spot regularly, youโll attract repeat customers who incorporate your van into their daily routine. However, consider moving to popular weekend spots like farmersโ markets or events to capture foot traffic from a different crowd.
Increasing spend with upsells
To increase average spend, there are several effective upsell strategies to consider. One of the simplest and most effective is offering a coffee plus cake combo, where commuters can add a pastry for just ยฃ1โยฃ2 more when presented with the option.
Introducing seasonal specials like pumpkin-spiced muffins in the autumn or lemon drizzle slices in the spring can create a sense of urgency, enticing customers to try something new while capitalising on seasonal cravings.
Another powerful strategy is implementing loyalty cards, such as a “Buy 5 coffees, get the 6th free” offer, which not only encourages repeat visits but also provides opportunities for upselling with each purchase.
By combining these tactics, you can boost both customer satisfaction and sales, keeping your business thriving.
Drawing in the crowds
Consider partnering with local businesses such as gyms, coworking hubs, or farmers’ markets to offer exclusive โearly-birdโ hours. For instance, you could provide a special discount, like โ10% off with a code,โ to attract a steady stream of morning customers.
Leveraging social media platforms like Instagram can be a powerful tool to create buzz. By using Instagram Stories to livestream captivating coffee-making time lapses or to tease secret-menu items that followers can unlock by visiting in person, you can engage your audience in real-time and build excitement around your offerings.
These strategies not only draw in new customers but also help build a loyal following eager to return for more.
Pizza Vans
Pizza vans thrive at lunch and dinner, especially when events or festivals bring in extra foot traffic.
Peak Hours
- Weekdays: 12โฏpm โ 2โฏpm & 5โฏpm โ 8โฏpm
- Weekends: 12โฏpm โ 3โฏpm & 5โฏpm โ 9โฏpm
Parking
Pizza vans benefit from flexibility. If you’re near office complexes during weekdays, consider parking in event venues or busy social hubs on weekends.
Constantly rotating your location can bring in new customers, particularly when tied to local events. Think festivals, concerts, or street food gatherings for the evening crowds.
Boosting sales with extras
Boosting sales with well-thought-out extras can significantly increase your average spend per customer. One effective approach is offering a โSlice Plus Drink Dealโ, where pairing a fizzy drink with a slice of pizza can lead to a 30% increase in drink sales.
Another great tactic is promoting a โDouble Cheeseโ upsize, positioning extra cheese as โjust ยฃ1 moreโ instead of listing it as a topping price, making the addition feel like a great deal.
Offering premium sauces such as truffle aioli or spicy arrabbiata for an extra ยฃ0.50โยฃ1 allows customers to personalise their meal, which is a popular option and a great way to drive up sales.
By using these simple upsells, you can significantly enhance your customers’ experience while boosting your profits.
Bringing in more pizza lovers
To attract more pizza lovers, create excitement by teasing a โsecret menuโ topping on platforms like TikTok. Post engaging content, such as dough-tossing or close-up shots of cheese pulls, and encourage followers to DM you for the special code word to unlock the topping. This not only sparks curiosity but also drives engagement with your audience.
You can also collaborate with local markets or evening festivals, and leverage their event channels to cross-promote your pizza van. This can help increase your visibility and bring in a larger crowd eager to try your offerings.
Combining these strategies creates a buzz around your brand and helps draw in new customers.
Ice Cream Vans
Ice cream vans rely on warm, sunny afternoons and early eveningsโespecially in parks, beaches, and tourist hotspots.
Peak Hours
- Weekdays: 1โฏpm โ 4โฏpm
- Weekends: 1โฏpm โ 5โฏpm
Parking
Ice cream vans should target areas with high foot traffic on sunny days, such as parks, beaches, and popular tourist spots.
Parking in the same location can build regulars, but moving to different parks or event hotspots for weekends or seasonal events will keep your offering fresh and draw in new crowds.
Donโt forget to monitor weather forecasts, as sunny days can significantly boost your sales!
Encouraging those extra scoops
Encouraging customers to indulge in those extra scoops can be a great way to boost sales.
Offering a โCone Plus Two Toppings Bundleโ is a simple yet effective way to increase average spend, while giving customers more value for their money.
Another enticing option is promoting โIce Cream Floatsโ, where pairing a scoop with soda for an additional ยฃ1โยฃ2 makes for a fun and shareable treat.
Introducing limitedโrun flavours, such as salted caramel in the summer or mulled spice in the winter, helps create a sense of urgency and excitement. These seasonal options not only draw customers in with their novelty but also encourage them to make a purchase before the flavours are gone.
Together, these strategies can significantly increase both sales and customer satisfaction.
Get crowds lining up
To get crowds lining up, create real-time excitement by going live on TikTok during peak sunshine, showcasing a charismatic host crafting something special, like a โsecret salted honey swirl.โ The live interaction builds a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) and draws in viewers eager to experience it in person.
Setting up a branded selfie frame encourages customers to snap a photo and share it with your hashtag for a chance to win a free scoop. This not only promotes your brand through user-generated content but also engages your audience, encouraging them to spread the word and bring more people to your van.
These interactive tactics can help generate buzz and increase foot traffic.
Mobile Bars (Prosecco & Beer)
Evening social events, festivals, and weekends are prime time for mobile barsโespecially Friday and Saturday nights.
Peak Hours
- Weekdays: 5โฏpm โ 9โฏpm
- Weekends: 2โฏpm โ 10โฏpm
Parking
For mobile bars, flexibility is crucial. Evening social events and festivals are perfect, but you can also consider local spots where nightlife thrivesโparks or squares where people gather on warm nights.
Partnering with local events can keep your location dynamic, bringing in diverse crowds each time.
Always keep an eye on local events and festivals, as they can provide fantastic opportunities for higher foot traffic.
Raising your customer’s tabs
Raising your customers’ tabs can be easily achieved by offering enticing snack pairings and premium experiences.
Consider partnering with a street-food vendor to provide complementary items, or offer bar snacks like gourmet popcorn and cheese boards to encourage customers to indulge while they drink.
Another effective upsell is offering Flight Tastings, where customers can enjoy a selection of prosecco or beer in mini pours, giving them a premium tasting experience for a higher price.
These options not only enhance the customer experience but also make it easier for them to treat themselves to more, boosting your sales in the process.
Get pouring more glasses
To pour more glasses and increase your reach, consider securing an official bar spot at local festivals, taking advantage of their marketing channels to promote your presence. This can drive significant foot traffic and attract new customers.
Inviting a local microโinfluencer for a complimentary tasting in exchange for coverage on Instagram Stories can help create buzz around your bar. Their endorsement will not only expand your social media reach but also draw in their followers, encouraging them to visit and enjoy your offerings in person.
These strategies can amplify your visibility and bring in a steady stream of customers.
Street Food Vans
Catering vans selling street food usually have their busiest spells during weekday lunches and weekend evenings, especially near office complexes and event venues.
Peak Hours
- Weekdays: 12โฏpm โ 2โฏpm & 5โฏpm โ 8โฏpm
- Weekends: 12โฏpm โ 3โฏpm & 5โฏpm โ 9โฏpm
Parking
Like pizza vans, street food vendors can benefit from a hybrid approach. Focus on regular spots near office complexes for weekday lunches, but rotate to high-traffic event spaces, festivals, or popular evening hangouts on weekends.
Parking in one spot can foster regulars, but moving to different venues keeps your audience excited and intrigued.
Multiply those single orders
To multiply those single orders and boost sales, consider offering combo plates that bundle a main dish, side, and drink at a price that feels like a great deal while still preserving your margins. This approach encourages customers to spend more by presenting it as a value-packed option.
You could also suggest premium add-ons like homemade chimichurri or artisanal cheese for just an extra ยฃ1.
These small upsells allow customers to customise their meals while increasing the overall transaction, making them feel like theyโre getting more while driving your sales higher.
Attract some hungry crowds
To attract hungry crowds, collaborate with 2โ3 complementary vendors to create a โstreet-food crawlโ ticket, where customers can sample small bites at each stop. This not only adds variety but also encourages people to visit multiple vendors, increasing foot traffic for everyone involved.
You could also set up a spin-to-win wheel on the sidewalk. This can be an effective way to engage passersby. Offering discounts or free add-ons through the wheel creates excitement and gives people a fun reason to stop by, driving more customers to your stand and helping to boost sales.
Tips for Maximising Impact
- Monitor Local Events: Use Eventbrite and Facebook to identify highโtraffic festivals and markets, and adjust your route accordingly.
- WeatherโResponsive Scheduling: Keep an eye on forecastsโstock up on hot drinks for chilly, rainy days and extra ice cream for warm, sunny ones.
- Engage Your Customers: Ask for feedback to refine your menu and hours. Happy customers become repeat customers.
- Be Social Media Savvy: Post your location and specials daily on Instagram Stories, TikTok, and Twitter to drive realโtime visits.
- Reward Loyalty: Digital stamp cards or SMS offers keep customers returning and give you more chances to upsell.
By aligning with these peak trading hours, offering wellโpaired upsells, and creating a buzz through targeted marketing and parking strategically, your mobile business will not only boost sales but also craft a memorable brand experience that keeps customers coming back and brings new faces into the fold.
Ready to get started?
Contact our team today, and letโs put your mobile business on the map!
