Embracing seasonal change to maximize winter sales
As the seasons change, it’s the perfect time to critically evaluate your store's layout and inventory selection. With winter approaching, it’s essential to ensure you have the right merchandise available and that your store provides a positive shopping experience.
Optimize your store layout
First and foremost, assess your store's layout. Are your aisles wide enough for customers to navigate easily? Clear walkways are crucial for allowing shoppers to explore freely and view merchandise without obstruction. While secondary displays can effectively entice customers and enhance impulse buying, they should never block access to primary merchandise.
Tip #1: Designate specific areas for temporary displays that are relevant to the season. Ensure these displays are consistently full and appealing. If stock levels drop below half, consider moving the remaining items to the main shelves and replacing the display with a new merchandise display. This strategy not only enhances your store's appearance but also keeps the shopping experience dynamic and engaging.
Tip #2: Review your store’s merchandising to make sure that the products that are grouped together on the shelves make sense. Like product should be merchandised together, for example, all bagged candy together. Ensure that complimentary products are close to each other. Placing a free-standing chip display close to the coolers will inspire incremental sales.
Tip #3: Do not over stock the shelves so that it becomes a mishmash of product all jammed together. The shelves and hooks need to be full but not over stocked. Overstocked hooks may result in product falling and breaking when customers touch the display leading to inventory write-offs. The key is to ensure that shelves and hooks are restocked every shift, so they are full and enticing to the customer.
Curate seasonal merchandise
As winter approaches, consider creating dedicated displays for seasonal items like gloves, hats, and other winter accessories such as snow brushes/scrapers. It is important to get these items into the store early and display them prominently so that the customers can see them. Source items that are good quality for a reasonable price.
With the holiday season around the corner, it's vital to prepare for increased demand for confectionery and salty snack items. Take a proactive approach by reviewing manufacturer prepacks from your wholesaler and pre-booking those that will best suit your customer base. Keep in mind that larger formats may sell better during the holiday seasons, so consider a secondary display of larger bag chips, for example.
Additionally, don’t forget about essential winter products. Review last winter’s sales data to ensure you have adequate stock of items such as windshield washer fluid. Purchasing skids of product at the start of the season can save you time and money. Be mindful of other ancillary products, such as road salt, which can become scarce during ice storms. Stocking up early can help you meet customer needs and boost sales.
Create promotions and special offers
If your store offers hot drinks, consider running a promotion that pairs a warm beverage such as tea or coffee with a snack. This not only encourages customers to frequent your store but also enhances their shopping experience, making it a desirable retreat during the chilly months.
Some retailers are concerned about how to manage end of lines or discontinued products. The solution is to discount these items and create a dedicated area to showcase all items on sale. An endcap on a gondola display can effectively highlight merchandise that won't be carried through the winter. Instead of holding onto unsold stock, consider discounting these items to free up cash flow for new inventory that will drive turnover and profits.
By strategically enhancing your store for the winter season, you can create an inviting shopping environment that caters to your customers' needs. Focus on layout optimization, seasonal inventory management, and engaging promotions to boost sales and ensure a successful transition into the colder months. Embrace the change, and watch your business thrive!
