Merchandising Solutions For Retailers

Merchandising refers to the way products are presented and organised within a store to attract customers and encourage purchases. It encompasses factors such as store layout, product displays, and pricing. The best merchandising highlights key products and helps customers find what they need easily.

Focus on clear organisation and grabbing customer attention. Divide your space into zones such as skincare, lips, eyes etc. Use product glorifiers to draw attention to discovery areas with testers, and use small dump bins to encourage impulse-buys of smaller, cheaper items. Place bestsellers and high-margin items at eye level, using display units such as tiered stands, risers and bridges.

Start with creating an eye-catching stand or promotional counter that clearly communicates your brand and draws people in from the aisle. Your layout should be uncluttered and easy to navigate, with clear signage showing who you are and what you offer. Place your most important products at eye level and near the front of the stand to immediately capture attention from passersby. Where possible, use demonstrations and samples to encourage participation.

The key to displaying merchandise in small spaces to maximise vertical and multi-level presentation. Use tiered shelving, wall-mounted fixtures, hooks, and tiered stands to draw the eye upward and make full use of available height. Make sure your best or most profitable products are at eye level. Leave some breathing space between displays so items stand out rather than blend together.

Clearance stock should be presented in a way that clearly signals good value. Use dedicated sections or clearly marked areas with bold 'Sale', 'Clearance', or 'Last Chance' signage so customers can immediately identify discounted items. Position clearance areas in high-traffic locations where customers naturally pass, such as near entrances or checkout zones. Use dump bins to encourage quick browsing and encourage impulse purchases of low value items. Clear pricing is essential, with visible discounts and easy comparisons to original prices. For more ideas, take a look at our article on getting rid of old inventory.

Place best-selling items at eye level, since this is the most visible and influential position. Use shelf edge labels to make prices clear to passing customers. Clip strips are ideal for displaying smaller items directly next to related items on the shelf and encourages cross-selling. To keep busy shelves automatically organised, shelf pusher systems are essential. They make sure stock is always presented at the front of your shelves and reduces workload for employees.

Start by giving them prime placement in high-visibility areas. This could include placing at shelf eye level, on end caps for stores with aisles, or by entrance displays and checkout areas. Reduce competition around these items by keeping the surrounding space clean and uncluttered. Clear signage and consistent branding needs to quickly communicate why the product is important, such as being a 'best seller' or 'new'. Positioning key products alongside smaller complementary items can help to create context and suggest usage, giving customers an aspirational aesthetic they can replicate.

Garments should be grouped logically by category, style, size, or season. Use a mix of hanging rails, folded shelf displays, and clothes rail stands. Ensure best-selling or new-season pieces are placed in prominent, high-traffic areas. Coordinate colours and styles to form cohesive looks and showcase complete outfits. Signage should guide customers towards themes such as 'casual wear' or 'summer essentials'.

Shelf edge labels (sometimes called SELs) are small labels or strips placed along the front edge of retail shelves, directly in line with the products they relate to. They are typically used display prices, product names, and barcodes. They can also be used to draw attention to promotional details like discounts or multi-buy offers.

Choose a focal point that draws the eye, such as a hero product, and build the rest of the display around it. Consider storytelling or seasonal themes to make the display more engaging and relevant. Place larger or more prominent items positioned centrally or at eye level, using display stands. Ensure the display looks professional from all angles, as the window display often forms customers' first impression of the store.