Is Retail Merchandising Even Important Anymore?

• December 5, 2017
• Topics:
  • Retail Merchandising

Retail merchandising: any practice which contributes to the sale of products to a retail consumer. At a retail in-store level, merchandising refers to the way in which products are displayed so as to generate interest and entice customers to make a purchase.

With the rise of ecommerce, is retail merchandising even relevant anymore?

If you’re a brand that sells at retail, bet your bottom dollar that it is. If anything, it is now more important than ever.

Think about it this way: with the increased reliance on automation, with regard to everything from product ordering to self-check outs, the retailer with whom you list is depending on fewer staff members to complete the same number of tasks. Sure, that’s great for their profit margins, but what impact does it have on your own?

Less staff on the floor directly translates to less service for your brand. If store employees are no longer given the time (or direction) to focus as much time on your brand, what does that mean for the presence of your products? Nothing good.

For example, if your product is not being displayed properly, isn’t being restocked in a timely manner, or there are no employees around to deliver information about your brand, customer experience could plummet. Your customer may like the convenience of the self-check out, but that doesn’t mean they want to go hunting for your brand in order to buy it.

So, what’s the solution? Instead of relying on a retailer’s retail merchandising, look for outside help from a company that provides attention exactly where and when you need it. New product launch? They’re there to ensure it is displayed without issue. Seasonal change out? They’re there to make sure it is carried out without a hitch. Want to be sure your product is actually in stock, priced correctly, and in the right place? They’re there to confirm it.

So, is retail merchandising even important anymore? Definitely. When fewer staff members are available to service your brand, and thus meet the needs of your customers, your sales could decrease as a result. No one wants that.

We all know that ecommerce has really created the need to ensure customer service is top-notch, all the time, so don’t let a retailer’s changing goals impact your own.

At Marketsupport, we’ve got the tools and expertise to ensure that your brand is receiving the attention it needs in-store. For more about retail merchandising services you can trust to get the job done, get in touch! 1-877-421-5081.