Retail runs on repeat visits. An SMS about a weekend offer, new stock or loyalty points brings customers back through the door — and costs far less than a radio spot.
What to send
- Weekend and payday offers sent to opted-in customers.
- Loyalty points balances and expiry reminders.
- New stock alerts for customers who asked for specific brands or sizes.
- Order and delivery updates for online and phone orders.
- Store news new branches, opening hours and holiday times.
- Feedback a quick rating after a purchase.
Example messages
- “Payday deals at BRAND: 20% off all shoes, Fri–Sun only. Visit our Moi Avenue branch. STOP to opt out”
- “Hi Grace, you have 1,250 loyalty points worth KES 250. Use them before 31 Oct. STOP to opt out”
- “Your order #3021 is ready for collection at our Westlands branch until 7pm.”
Tips for better results
- Build your list with consent at the till — see building an opt-in list.
- Segment by branch so each customer only gets offers they can use.
- Use a unique code per campaign to measure sales — see measuring SMS ROI.
- Keep to two to four promotions a month to avoid opt-outs.
Related
SMS marketing guide · SMS templates · WooCommerce SMS
Get started
Create a Connect Media account — SMS from KES 1.0, no minimum top-up, credit that never expires, and one account for Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom. Call +254 707 339 945 or email info@connectmedia.co.ke.
Frequently asked questions
How do shops use SMS marketing?
For offers, loyalty updates, new stock alerts, order updates and feedback, sent to customers who opted in.
How often should a shop send promotional SMS?
Two to four promotions a month is enough for most retailers; more often increases opt-outs.
How can we tell if an SMS campaign worked?
Use a unique discount code or keyword per campaign and count redemptions against the SMS cost.