Steve Di Orio, the Handy Store Fixtures Marketing Manager, was recently interviewed for a
feature article in Pet Product News International. In the article, he gave several pet retailer shelving strategies to help boost efficiency and sales in 2014.
While the suggestions were geared mostly toward pet supply stores, we didn’t want you to feel like you missed out at all. So, let us share some of the useful information featured in this article so you can try out the strategies for yourself.
Adaptation is everything. Make changes to your gondola shelving that adapts to your customers’ needs, market trends and store-specific needs.
Often times, this practicality gets overlooked for necessity. You think you have to cram as much as you can on the little shelving space you have, when in reality it could be turning your customers away.
Start simple. Like Steve said in his article, “it’s hard to put a numerical value on it. The right store layout can mean profitability or failure.” By making the most of the space you have, you’ll be able to better position your store to meet your customer-base and your store needs.
Know your store. Believe it or not, large stores face just as many challenges as smaller stores. It’s about finding the right balance. Customers will feel claustrophobic in a small store with too much merchandise, but they will also feel uncomfortable in a large store that feels empty.
Be smart. Be strategic about product placement on your retail shelving units. Place your highest grossing products at eye-level. Put new products on end-caps and towards the front of the store. End-caps can be easily moved around the store so you can test out new layouts and floor plans.
Be flexible. Don’t be afraid to change something that isn’t working. While it may seem like a hassle to continually update your shelving layout, it could make a huge difference. Keep in mind that customers will get frustrated by too much change, so stick with changing things up seasonally to avoid confusion.
Want to read the full article featuring Steve Di Orio? Check out the complete article on Pet Product News and show your support for our Handy Store Fixtures family.