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6 tips for improving retail merchandising

Across the world, there are successful retail stores increasing basket sizes because of a few simple tactics. Ever noticed why some of the most exciting things are at the entrance of Costco? It’s because they want to showcase the best stock.

If you operate a small store, or even if you’re a manager of a large chain, we’ve put together 6 easy to implement merchandising tactics that will help add value to your shoppers’ basket.

Display the wants not the needs

Customers already know why they’re going into a store, more often than not it’s because they need something. Use a display to feature the higher value items that they want. For example, a customer shopping for screws in a DIY store is likely to get a sense of wanting if they see a high-quality cordless drill.

Break up the aisles with a display

Studies have shown that 20% of a store’s merchandise is looked over due to the monotony of aisles. By introducing areas with different layouts, customers refocus their attention on the products in that area.

Sell the lifestyle and benefits

An effective part of merchandising is showing the customer what the benefits are to them. By incorporating effective product signage and imagery customers can begin to buy into the lifestyle that you are promoting and they will have a better understanding of how the products can benefit them.

Showcase your best stock first

When customers walk into a store they want to be immediately impressed. By showcasing your high ticket items customers are seeing the best you have to offer as soon as they enter. B&Q is a prime example, effectively showcasing items such as hot tubs and BBQs during summer months.

Rotate the featured stock

It’s important that the everyday items remain in the same place so that returning customers know where to head. However, to increase basket size throughout the year, relevant stock should be rotated. After all, there’s no point in promoting BBQs in November (unless you live in Australia!)

Prop your window display

Customers are attuned to window displays of products. Almost every store on the high street showcases their products. To gain an edge over your competitors try incorporating eye-catching props that may not necessarily relate to your products but will grab the attention of the shopper.

Meet the team: Richard Jones

Meet Richard Jones – Operations Manager

Tell us about your role at Bluestones One I have been with Bluestones One for three years. I first started on the shop floor (in the field) where I would travel the country meeting new people and completing a variety of projects. I then moved into the resource team where my role was to put teams together for various clients, this involved making sure the skill set was right. I was also responsible for making sure the accommodation is right and making sure that we, as a business, got the basics right and the teams had the right tools to deliver the best service. I am now currently the Operations Manger which means I now have my own team within the office and manage colleagues in the field. This role also includes interaction with clients to ensure they have the faith in the business to consistently deliver their requirements. I have been in retail for over 20 years now and I have enjoyed every minute of it, the different places and challenges that the job role brings. There is no better job satisfaction than knowing our colleagues in the field deliver a high standard of service to our clients and

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Meet Richard Jones – Account Manager

Tell us about your role at Bluestones One My role at Bluestones One is Account Manager. How would you normally start your day at work? My day starts with touching base with teams, checking emails and reports from the previous day/night. What does a typical day at work look like for you? Liaising with customers either via phone, Teams meetings and site visits discussing existing and up and coming work. Interacting with the Installation and Merchandising teams on ongoing projects. Making sure the teams on the shopfloor have everything they need to complete the tasks onsite and supporting them throughout the day. Working with our Resource Planning team to ensure all future projects are planned as per the customer’s requirements. What do you find challenging? The changing nature of our industry can often be challenging, but has the added benefit of no two days being the same! What do you enjoy about the role? Everyday produces different challenges and I learn something new every day and enjoy interacting with different people. What’s the best thing about working at Bluestones One? Working with new and existing customers to achieve the required goal to deliver each project. I also enjoy working with

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