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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: Garry Leck

Meet Garry Leck: Lead Resource Co-ordinator

Tell us about your role at Bluestones OneI am the Lead Resource Coordinator and have been with Bluestones One for almost three years now. I started out in the field as a Merchandiser, then moved up to Team Leader before I got offered a permanent role within the office. I spend most of my time based in our North East office where we run a small team responsible for allocating the work to the field staff. On a day to day basis, we allocate the work and resources needed for each job site. How would you normally start your day at work?The start of each day is different and led by what has happened the previous night. The main priority is to resolve any day to day challenges or additional requests generated by the night teams. Once resolved we can move onto the planning of the following days and weeks. What does a typical day at work look like for you?A typical day is mainly dealing with enquiries generated on-site whilst trying to organise the following weeks. If we can get everyone into a job they like with people they enjoy working with, our job is made so much easier.

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