Customer incentives that give that cozy feeling of no-risk are especially strategic in a down economy. I just read about a new bar/restaurant whose theme is pairings of wine and tapas. A couple smart offerings for their budget conscious customers caught my eye. For patrons that don’t finish their bottle of wine, they package it so it can legally be taken home. This is a clever way to encourage their customers to purchase a bottle, rather than a glass. By eliminating the risk of waste, customers are more likely to order more. Another aspect is drinking and driving. They may purchase a bottle and limit their consumption to a glass while they’re there, and have the rest for home. This extra detail gives the restaurant the opportunity to go for the greater sale.

Secondly, during happy hour, patrons can choose from a list of 20 bottles that are sold for $20 each. This low cost can get a lot of customers in the door, but they’re still commanding a nice profit.

Keep in mind this wine pairing business is still considered a luxury, but this particular model takes off the snobbery. The happy hour aspect alone opens them up for casual business and not just occasions.