subject: Is now the Time to Change your Merchandising Practices? [print this page] Is now the Time to Change your Merchandising Practices?
The days of allowing sales to drive dollar store merchandise levels ever-lower have long been history. In today's competitive marketplace those running a dollar store must focus on maintaining proper merchandise inventory levels at all times. They must also continuously focus on dollar store marketing. They must have a fully-stocked store with high sales volume. But where do you start? Read on. In this article I present strategies for keeping your store looking full, and for keeping the best selling merchandise rolling in.
Fill every square inch of display space in your store
Keep your store filled with best selling dollar store merchandise. This requires careful monitoring of sales levels in all departments. It also means you must know the best selling items throughout your store. Replenishment orders need to be submitted in time for replacement merchandise to arrive before current inventories have been sold.
Use proper signage
Attention-grabbing signs are a powerful sales tool. All aisle end caps, bulk displays, and other displays throughout your store must be properly signed to maximize sales. Newly arrived merchandise, special purchases, and popular items in each aisle should all be signed. Make the appropriate use of signs part of your overall dollar store marketing and merchandising strategy.
Buy case inners for all slower selling items
Don't tie your money up buying hundreds or even thousands of a slow selling item just because you have finally sold out. If the item continues to sell at some level, start looking for inner packs. Often an inner will contain only 12 or 24 of an item. That equates to one or two peg hooks in-stock. Your money is then free to purchase best selling items.
Keep your store bright and cheerful
Another simple marketing tip is to always keep your store looking clean, organized and clutter-free. But don't stop there. Make sure lighting is adequate in all areas of the store. Consider repainting or at least spot painting once your store begins to show the wear of many thousands of visitors. Select a neutral color that really brightens things up.
Proper merchandising and management are critical to success. Fortunately there are many simple, high-impact actions available. Implement the 4 actions described in this article to keep your operational practices at the top of their game. All are low-cost and don't require huge time commitments. Best of all; they work.
