Why merchandising

What we see today as new merchandising techniques are simply fresh takes on what has existed for millennia. For them, constantly creating new chocolates, discounts, and enticing displays will not be as important as making sure they have a strong merchandising strategy for the months of October, November and December.

Additionally, what merchandising is and what form it takes depends quite a bit on the variety of geography and of the products and services themselves. So while the fundamentals of merchandising will remain the same, the strategies and techniques of the practice will change. This can include changes in the following, among others:.

The profit, as well as the livelihood of the retail store, will also be affected. Product merchandising is increasingly considered as necessary in contemporary times to attract customers.

If you are unsure about the process, you can always employ an expert merchandising company for your products. When running promotional offers or giving samples out to customers, your brand gets popularised.

Similarly, if your products have a business card, brand-specific packaging and logo on the packaging, customers will have a better recall value of your brand. Receiving free samples or discounts also helps customers remember a brand longer. Usually, the brand spends a lot of money on advertisements or posters, that customers barely notice.

It is merchandising activities of giving discounted goods, promotional samples, and combo offers that stick with them. For example, if you gave a cup as a promotional offer, the customer will remember you whenever they drink from it. Similarly, merchandise with your logo will create better recall in their minds, and you might end up with loyal customers. Frequent merchandising activities will not only make your customers look forward to such activities, but also come back to you looking for more.

For them, the brand value and product value is enhanced if they are given offers and incentive to buy your products. Merchandising is crucial for small retail businesses as it will increase the sales of your products and services. Total merchandise usually involves a retail business, with shop marketing strategies aimed at driving up sales through the presentation of your products or services. There is a strong visual element to retail merchandising as the sales journey a customer undertakes will usually begin with what they see with their own eyes as they pass through a store.

Merchandising refers to how you promote your products , such as the pricing structure between related products and any special deals on offer, as well as how you present and display the products or services themselves.

To benefit the most from merchandising, you must learn how to display your products and services to maximise sales by presenting them at the right time and in the right place. You will also want the perfect amount of product in the presentation, and of course they must be at the right price.

Getting more specific about what is merchandising allows us to explore the visual aspect of this important marketing strategy. The most obvious part of visual merchandising is the in-store displays, including window displays and special promotions.

The signage on and around the product aisles and shelves also play a big part in this, attracting attention and imparting information at the same time. For example, an aisle or shelf sign can simply inform a customer of where to locate certain items, but it can also make them aware of a special offer that may interest them. A more subtle part of visual merchandising is grouping related products together. The merchant must be able to combine all of these diverse customer mindsets into a clear vision for the business.

They then have to be a great communicator of that vision, since sales associates must be excited about the merchandise and make customers feel that they are buying something very special for themselves.

The merchant must create a special atmosphere for their department and selection. Yes, they are the buyer of the merchandise, but in reality that responsibility extends far beyond procuring product. The profitable success of the department demands a heightened focus on the consumer. Now merchandise must reflect the sensibilities of the target shopper, perhaps a more youthful approach and a realization that today the customer wants to enjoy a lifestyle that allows for outdoor exuberance.

We are in unchartered waters as consumers of all ages, income levels and cultures deal with two major crises that are unfolding at the same time: upended shopping routines and social unrest. Right now, older generations have shifted to more online shopping, while younger consumers shop less frequently. Both have stockpiled some staple products.

Against this new backdrop, merchants are charged with buying merchandise based on a semi-annual buying plan with a goal to increase comparable sales to a higher level. At the same time, they will need to improve margins and inventory turnover. That raises all sorts of questions that will ultimately influence whether sales follow. Does the customer really want to shop? Are they afraid of catching an infection or the coronavirus?