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Retail Merchandising

merchandising

Psychology plays a huge role in retail merchandising. Read on for ways to display your merchandise to turn inventory faster.

Simple tricks

There are many ways to arrange your merchandise to increase sales, but let’s start with the 2-finger rule. Simply put, there should be a two finger space in between your product and the top of the shelf. This both maximizes your shelf space as well as presents the product logically to customers.

Speaking of shelves, most people scan shelves in a Z when looking. Customers also compare products horizontally.

It goes without saying, but try not to place heavy products on higher shelves. 15% of people didn’t buy an item because it was too heavy when moving it.

Finally, consider rotating products. Moving an item from the bottom shelf to eye-level increased sales by 87 percent.

Color merchandising

Color obviously plays a role too. Check out the list below to encourage different feelings:

  • Blue: Promotes peace and tranquility
  • Green: Encourages freshness and nature
  • Purple: Equates to spirituality
  • Yellow: Spreads energy and happiness
  • Pink: Makes people romantic
  • White: Creates a simple and clean atmosphere

There are hundreds of tips that I’m sure we didn’t cover. What have you learned in your career you can share with the quilt retailer community? Comment on this blog for merchandising tips that have worked for you.


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Why Resolutions Matter

New Years resolutions can quickly become fruitless; why make a change on January 1 when you can make a change any day of the year? But, somehow, New Years resolutions are still around.

To some, it is the act of reflection that drives them to create a goal. Looking back at the year can tell us where we went wrong, where we went right, and where we got stuck in a rut. Reflection provides the opportunity to learn from the past and invest in a better self.

To others, it is a renewed attitude. The holidays are supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. But often it becomes a time of body shaming (even though that pie felt so right in the moment), observations of selfishness (when so much money could go to better causes), and a reminder of all of those around us who will spend their holiday alone.

But a resolution is a great way to tackle one aspect of your life and transform it. Tired of feeling heavy? Buy a gym membership. Afraid to check your bank account? Donate money to charities in a friend’s name instead of buying them a gift. Feeling guilty that you haven’t done enough? Volunteer at a homeless shelter throughout the year.

Resolution

According to Psychology Today, these resolutions are what our brain needs. Goals provide direction and purpose. This leads to progress, which in turn creates happiness. And this happiness enables us to connect to people around us, providing a more fulfilling life.

So, maybe your plans to travel to Europe didn’t pan out this year. But making a new resolution can provide renewed positivity into your life.

New Year’s resolutions are still around for a reason. Let’s keep that tradition alive by setting goals to not only inspire others, but re-inspire ourselves.


If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you.