Your first assignment should be well on its way. My goal is to encourage retailers to take responsibility for the appearance of their location to increase the possibility of sales. If you haven’t guessed it yet, I’ve seen the most unkempt and disorganized stores in my local community. Some stores owners do not seem to have the skills or tools to run their businesses. Many seem to want to do things on the “cheap” and the results are just that.
In my last writing you were outside your store front looking at the window. Now come back into your store and tell me what you see.
2. Presentation, Darling! You are about to set the mood for your store. But first,
- 409-it! Is your location clean? Yes back to cleaning. You can’t expect customers to shop in a dirty or messy store. Clean that light switch! Make a habit of dusting, sweeping or vacuuming. You have guests coming to your "Home". Make sure to check the bathroom if you allow your patrons to use it! Keep enough supplies on hand!
- Keep it fresh! Merchandise must be kept up to date! Don’t mix the old with the new. Put things on clearance after a season if necessary! Invest in your merchandise. Plan early so that merchandise arrives just before the target season.
- Coordinate your fixtures and shelf systems for a uniform look. Make sure the fixtures are appropriate for the merchandise. Group similar shelves together and fill with the same or related products. If you have an apparel section all the coat hangers should be the same. Don’t use the hangers the garments were ship with unless they are the wooden or better plastic styles.
- Lights! Brighten your store with the right lighting! Don’t forget to put lights in the window. Use energy saving light bulbs. Lighting will be another reason why people will say they never noticed your store before.
- Color it! Paint the store if necessary! This is an inexpensive way of giving your store a face lift. Really on a budget? Touch up the front half of the store. Use art or large photographs to enhance the walls.
Again if you have difficulty in the decorating area, get help. Look at other stores for ideas and work with an intern.
Let me know how things are going on you end. Next posting > Part 3 Eye Candy
