Most of the customers who will ever buy from a boutique online have already stood at its counter. They know the shop, they trust your eye, and they’ve just spent money with you. The till is the one moment you have their full attention, and asking for an email address there costs nothing.
Why in-store customers make the best list
Someone who signs up on your website is curious. Someone who signs up at the till has already bought. They open emails from a shop they’ve walked into, and they’re the people most likely to come back for the next delivery, or to order online when they can’t get in.
A list built at the counter also grows steadily. Ten sign-ups a week is over 500 a year, and every one of them is a real customer.
How it works on Shopify POS
If you sell through Shopify POS, the sign-up happens as part of the sale. At checkout, add the customer, type in their email address and tick the box to say they’re happy to receive marketing. That’s it.
The customer record lands in Shopify with their marketing consent recorded against it, the same as an online sign-up. If your email platform is connected to Shopify, as Omnisend is, the new contact comes across as subscribed and can start receiving emails straight away.
What to say at the counter
Keep it short and give the customer a reason to say yes. There are a few natural ways in.
Offer to email the receipt. Most people are happy to, and once you have the address it’s a short step to: “Would you like to hear when new stock arrives too?”
Ask if they already have an account with you. If they do, the sale goes on their record, so next time they’re in you can see what they bought and help with sizes. If they don’t, setting one up is the natural moment to mention emails.
Or keep it simple: “Would you like to hear when new stock arrives? You’ll get the first look.” Most customers say yes when the offer is about the clothes rather than a newsletter.
Two things matter here. Ask everyone, including first-time customers, and only tick the marketing box when the customer has said yes. A list built on clear consent is worth more, and it keeps you on the right side of the rules.
What happens after they say yes
The sign-up is only the start. A welcome email should go out automatically, thanking them for shopping in store and showing what’s new online. After that, they join your regular emails like any other subscriber.
It’s worth tagging in-store sign-ups separately. Customers who first bought in the shop often respond to different messages from those who found you online, and knowing which is which lets you write to each group properly.
Make it part of every sale
Counting helps. Check how many new contacts came from the shop each week and share the number with whoever works the till. Set a weekly target, ten is a good start, and put it somewhere the whole team can see it.