One Day Merchandising Makeovers
Does your store need a face lift but you don’t have the budget? No problem. With a few quick solutions, you can transform your store environment from shabby to chic in just one day.
There are ten key elements to consider when doing a one day makeover.
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Why is Retail Merchandising Important?
Recently, I was told that merchandising and display are frivolous extra expenses for the small business owner who is just starting up. The implication was that expenses such as marketing, rent, inventory, utilities, staffing, etc. are ‘serious’ expenses, while merchandising and display are ‘frills’.
I couldn’t disagree more. Merchandising and display are an important part of the marketing plan, and should have a reasonable budget allocated – even for a retailer operating on a shoestring.
In today’s competitive retail environment a retailer cannot afford to consider merchandising as a ‘frill’. Everyone is competing for the customers’ dollar. There are more choices out there for consumers than ever before.
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Price vs. Value
As we began the new year, I found myself thinking back on all the conversations I’ve had last year with manufacturers and retailers about the things that caused them the most lost sleep.
Without question, the conversation almost always quickly turned to inventory issues.
Whether you are a retailer or a manufacturer, virtually nothing can get you in trouble quicker than inventory. So, let’s spend a few minutes thinking about how to lower our risk. First and foremost, 2010 will be the year of price to value ratio if turns are important to you.
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Events for Slower Seasons
Q: Every November we hold a holiday open house for our best customers. But we don’t have anything planned for January. Should we lay low while business is slow?
A: Good for you for doing a big event during the holiday season. As the old advertising adage goes, “you should sell peanuts while the circus is in town.” But that doesn’t mean that you should not have something special happening in your store during the slower months as well.
