This edition of COMPETE Magazine is all about Merchandising and how you can increase your holiday sales and profits.
Getting great results in your stores this time of year is no different than planning and delivering a great Thanksgiving dinner at home. Like a great holiday dinner, a well-merchandised store takes a little extra planning, usually more than one person helping, someone with a little talent and creativity, and a couple of long days of merchandising (or cooking and your mother-in-law’s advice). While it’s a bit more work and preparation, it sure feels good when the mashed potatoes and gravy come out perfect! So let’s start planning.
In this issue of COMPETE you will find many of the ingredients you’ll need for your store to have a great merchandising plan this selling season. Here are 5 tips to help you get started with your plan.
- DECORATE. Any good party or selling event starts with setting the tone or the theme with decorating your store and departments with good signage, display props and lots of holiday related products.
- MAKE A LIST. (and check it twice) Prepare a list of all the products you’ll need for the season and order to have them in the store early. With supply chain challenges continuing, get your product early and don’t forget those specialty foods items.
- CROSS MERCHANDISE EVERY DISPLAY. Seasonal merchandising is a great opportunity to get extra sales by having everything you need all together on display. Don’t miss out on the general merchandise opportunities as well, like pie and cake pans, utensils, cookie sheets, cookie cutters, turkey basters and more. All of these will help add profit to your displays.
- MAKE AWG BRANDS A PART OF THE PLAN. This time of year we know that consumers want to use the brands their grandmother used for her holiday dinner, but you can always find an AWG Brands item to cross-merchandise with almost any national brand you display. You have a full array of high quality profitable Best Choice candies, cookies, crackers, ice cream and snack items you can show off this holiday season.
- SEND AN INVITATION. Invite your customers to come to your store and join in the fun. Send your customers emails, texts and use social media to post pictures of displays of highly sought after products. Find the best way to communicate with your customers and let them know you are having a Seasonal Selling Event and invite them.
Finally, this season is a time of giving so be sure to include your favorite charity in your Seasonal Selling Event plans and give your customers the opportunity to lend a hand to others in the community who are less fortunate. We hope this issue of COMPETE magazine will help you have the best holiday selling season ever! Please feel free to reach out to your AWG district sales manager for assistance with your planning.
Happy Selling!
