5 Simple Merchandising Strategies You Can Implement Today

As soon as the doors of her brick-and-mortar store swung open, Mandy felt a sense of excitement wash over her. The smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, and the brightly colored displays filled with gourmet treats beckoned customers to come closer. But Mandy knew that merchandising was about more than just making things look pretty. It was about creating an experience that would make her customers want to come back again and again.

Mandy had learned this lesson the hard way when she first opened her bakery. She had put all of her products out on display, hoping that customers would be drawn to the sheer volume of options. But instead, they seemed overwhelmed and quickly left without buying anything. That’s when Mandy reached out to us. We jumped at the opportunity to work with Mandy on her merchandising strategy.

After sharing with her our step-by-step strategies, Mandy got to work. She simplified her displays, using warm, inviting colors and only featuring a few key products. She created a story around the ingredients that went into her products and rotated her displays regularly to keep things fresh. And most importantly, she thought outside the box, creating unexpected displays that kept her customers engaged and interested.

When Mandy implemented our simple merchandising strategies, she saw her sales start to soar. Now, Mandy’s bakery is a bustling hub of activity. Customers line up to buy her delicious bread and pastries, and they always leave with a smile on their faces. Mandy had learned that merchandising was about more than just selling products. It was about creating an experience that people would remember, and that’s exactly what she has done.

So, what strategies did Mandy implement? Don’t worry, we aren’t going to leave you hanging. Here are the five strategies we worked with Mandy to implement. As you go through each one, consider how you can implement each strategy into your business. You may be surprised how big of an impact they can have on your business.

Five Merchandising Strategies

1. Keep it Simple

One of the biggest mistakes that small business owners make when merchandising is overcrowding their displays. Too many products can overwhelm customers and make it difficult for them to focus on any one thing. Instead, keep it simple. Choose a few key products to feature prominently on your displays and use complementary products to support them. This will help your customers to see what you’re offering and make it easier for them to make a decision.

For example, if you own a clothing store, you could feature a few of your newest arrivals on a mannequin, with accessories like shoes and jewelry that match the outfit. This will help customers envision themselves in the outfit and make it more likely that they’ll make a purchase.

2. Use Color to Your Advantage

Color is one of the most powerful tools in a merchandiser’s arsenal. It can evoke emotions and create a mood that can help you sell your products. For example, red is often associated with excitement and passion, while blue is associated with calmness and trust. By using color to your advantage, you can create a shopping experience that is both visually appealing and emotionally engaging.

If you own a bakery, you could use warm, inviting colors like yellow and orange to create a feeling of comfort and coziness. This will make your customers feel more relaxed and more likely to make a purchase. (This is exactly what Mandy did)

3. Create a Story

People love stories. They help us connect with products and brands on a deeper level. By creating a story around your products, you can help your customers to understand the value of what you’re offering, and make it more likely that they’ll make a purchase.

For example, if you sell handmade soap, you could create a story around the ingredients that you use, and the process that goes into making each bar of soap. This will help your customers to appreciate the time and effort that goes into creating your products and make them more willing to pay a premium price for them.

4. Keep Your Displays Fresh

Nothing turns customers off more than a stale display. If your displays are always the same, customers will stop paying attention. By keeping your displays fresh and rotating your products regularly, you can keep customers engaged and interested in what you have to offer.

For example, if you own a hardware store, you could create a rotating display of seasonal items, such as snow shovels in the winter and gardening tools in the spring. This will keep customers coming back to see what’s new and make it more likely that they’ll make a purchase.

5. Use Signage to Guide Customers

Signage can be a powerful tool in visual merchandising, helping to guide customers through your store and draw attention to key products.

For example, a grocery store might use signs to highlight a particular sale or promotion, or to guide customers towards healthy food options. By using signage effectively, stores can make it easier for customers to find what they are looking for and increase the likelihood that they will make a purchase.

Whether you’re running a bakery, a clothing store, or any other kind of brick-and-mortar business, merchandising is the key to success. By creating a visually appealing and emotionally engaging shopping experience, you can attract more customers and increase sales. So, take a page out of Mandy’s book and start using these merchandising strategies today. Who knows? You might just find that your sales start to soar too!

Looking for more strategies to drive traffic and increase your sales? Check out the Ultimate Marketing Toolkit designed specifically for brick-and-mortar businesses.