How Innovative Receipts Can Increase Your Store’s Visibility: Insights from Marcus Todd Brissco

In the modern retail landscape, staying ahead requires more than just quality products and good service. As competition intensifies and consumer expectations rise, every touchpoint counts—especially those often overlooked. Marcus Todd Brissco, a retail strategist and founder of several successful convenience and smoke shop chains, believes that one such underrated tool is the humble receipt. “It’s the last impression a customer walks out with,” he says. “Why not make it memorable, valuable, or even fun?”

This philosophy has inspired retailers to rethink how receipts function beyond transaction records. Today, innovative receipts are playing a powerful role in increasing store visibility, building brand identity, and even attracting new customers. In this article, we’ll explore how this transformation is happening—and how retailers can use it to their advantage.

From Utility to Opportunity

Traditionally, receipts served one purpose: proof of purchase. Most customers barely glance at them before stuffing them in their wallets or tossing them away. But Marcus Todd Brissco argues that this is a missed opportunity. “When you have a guaranteed printed touchpoint in a customer's hand, you have real estate that can communicate value,” he explains.

Smart retailers are now leveraging that space not just for branding, but also to continue the conversation with their customers. Receipts can include promotions, QR codes linking to social media, or even witty taglines that reflect the personality of the store. When designed thoughtfully, they become mini marketing tools that keep the brand alive in the customer’s mind even after they’ve left the premises. 

Innovation That Sparks Conversation

One of the most compelling examples of receipt innovation today is the introduction of smokeable receipt paper, a trend pioneered by brands like Rolly Receipt. These unique papers are safe for smoking, doubling up as rolling papers for customers in head shops, smoke stores, and dispensaries. For retailers, this offers a one-of-a-kind branding experience.

Marcus Todd Brissco was one of the early adopters of smokeable receipt paper in his retail chain and saw immediate results. “It became a talking point,” he says. “Customers were snapping photos, posting them online, tagging our stores. It went viral locally—and all from something as simple as a receipt.” This unexpected branding opportunity significantly increased store visibility, especially among younger demographics who appreciate novelty and shareable experiences.

The result? Not only did his stores see a rise in foot traffic, but the brand also gained more recognition through user-generated content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

Receipts That Drive Repeat Visits

Innovative receipts also encourage customers to come back. Marcus emphasizes the role of on-receipt promotions—offers printed right at the bottom of the slip. Whether it’s a discount on the next visit, a free product with a future purchase, or an invitation to a loyalty program, these small nudges can lead to big returns.

When paired with personalization, the effect becomes even stronger. Some systems allow integration with POS data to tailor offers based on purchase history. For example, a customer who buys rolling papers regularly might receive a discount for a new herbal blend or grinder, printed right on their receipt. “When a customer sees an offer that feels customized, it builds trust and a sense of belonging,” says Marcus.

In this way, receipts become not just a record of a transaction, but a roadmap to the next one.

Amplifying Store Branding

Store branding goes beyond logos and color palettes. It’s about creating a consistent voice and identity across all customer interactions. Receipts especially innovative ones—are a powerful medium for this.

These details humanize the shopping experience, and in a world where digital retail dominates, that human touch matters more than ever. Moreover, when customers associate these creative interactions with a specific store, they’re more likely to remember and return.

Tapping into Digital Reach

One of the most significant advantages of innovative receipts is their ability to bridge the physical and digital worlds. QR codes, for instance, can direct customers to social media pages, Google review forms, or even contests and giveaways.

Marcus Todd Brissco uses this strategy extensively. “We started embedding QR codes on receipts that linked to our Instagram. People scanned it, followed us, and we followed back. Now we’ve got a loyal, engaged local following we didn’t have before.”

This digital engagement not only increases store visibility but also builds community something especially valuable for smaller or independent retailers. By directing traffic from paper to screen, receipts help retailers keep the conversation going beyond the checkout counter.

Cost-Effective Marketing with Long-Term Returns

Unlike many advertising methods, upgrading your receipts doesn’t require a large budget. In fact, it’s one of the most cost-effective ways to market directly to people who are already buying from you.

Rolly Receipt’s system, which provides free ATMs along with custom receipt paper options (including smokeable paper), gives stores both functionality and flair. By offering these solutions at no upfront cost, it allows even small businesses to participate in receipt innovation. Marcus Todd Brissco points out that this low barrier to entry is crucial: “You don’t need a $10,000 marketing budget. Just upgrade your receipt, and you’re already standing out.”

Compared to expensive digital ads or complicated influencer deals, a fun, branded receipt offers a tangible memory and often, word-of-mouth recommendations that build brand equity over time.

The Viral Potential of Creativity

In a digital age, anything unique can go viral. Receipts that entertain, surprise, or add value are shared on social media without prompting. Marcus experienced this first-hand when one of his smokeable receipt photos was reshared on a local meme page and quickly gained traction. “We didn’t ask anyone to post it,” he recalls. “It just took off because it was different. And it brought in real foot traffic.”

Even without smokeable receipts, creative ideas like fortune messages, jokes of the day, or local trivia can become screenshot-worthy. The goal is to stand out to give your customer something worth remembering and, better yet, sharing.

Building Loyalty One Slip at a Time

When receipts move from being transactional to relational, customer loyalty deepens. Marcus Todd Brissco puts it best: “Every receipt is a chance to say, ‘Hey, we see you, we appreciate you, and we’d love to see you again.’”

That kind of connection fosters emotional loyalty, not just convenience-based loyalty. Customers who feel valued and entertained are more likely to return—and bring their friends.

Conclusion: Your Store’s Most Underrated Marketing Tool

In the end, a receipt is more than just a slip of paper. It’s a final handshake, a brand touchpoint, and when used creatively a powerful visibility tool. Marcus Todd Brissco’s success shows that retailers who embrace innovative receipt strategies are not only enhancing the customer experience but also setting themselves apart in a crowded market.

From smokeable receipts to clever QR codes and personalized messages, the possibilities are vast and impactful. If you're looking for a simple yet effective way to increase your store's visibility, maybe it's time to take a page out of Marcus’s book and take a second look at what’s printing out of your register.

Let your receipts do the talking. Let them make people smile. Let them make your brand unforgettable.

Reference - https://www.ecothermal.org/post/how-innovative-receipts-can-increase-your-store-s-visibility-insights-from-marcus-todd-brissco