Merchandising Basics
When providers set up a retail business, it’s important to understand some of the basics of merchandising, advises Nancy Nunley, president of Ganesco. Many will not hire professional talent, but they can learn critical lessons by observing closely what they see when they shop. Regardless of the retail store — from Wal-Mart to Nordstrom’s — you see certain common elements, such as:
- Great lighting
- Wide aisles to allow people to walk through displays with ease
- A clean, up-to-date and professional store — otherwise the customer will walk away with a bad first impression.
- Well-stocked displays — customers will not take you seriously if you only have a few products on the racks/displays.
- End-caps to highlight special products or promotions