Retail Merchandising: Being Successful in the Back to School Window

Retail Merchandising

It is that time of year again; time to get things ready for the back to school window that will be here before we know it. Canadians coast-to-coast will be loading up their shopping carts with pencils, lunchboxes, and everything in between. For many back to school focussed brands, this window represents the timeframe that you do up to 75% of your business. Retailers: you too are getting ready for the rush. Are you well prepared and armed to ensure that product is on the shelf and ready to be purchased during this short 4-week period? This week we talk back to school retail merchandising; give your store the boost it needs to be successful in the back to school window.

According to Statistics Canada, Canadian parents, on average, will spend around $70 on back to school supplies. This represents a significant amount of money you can target with the right retail mechanising campaign. Here are a few tips to get you started:

  1. Take advantage of digital tools and social media to drive engagement and boost sales. Consumers are increasingly relying on the internet to find the best deals and to read reviews on various products. Highlighting the best features of your products (manufacturers) or the best sales on back to school merchandise (retailers) can help drive sales.
  1. Work in waves. Now, unlike in past decades, parents are shopping in waves. While some head out to beat the rush, others wait until the last minute or even until school has already started and kids come home with their lists of required items. By promoting in both waves, you can take advantage of the shoppers at both peak times.
  1. Don’t forget the teachers. When it comes to back to school, so many marketers look to kids (and their parents) as the primary target market. This ignores an entire additional market that is out shopping for items required for the back to school season. Target teachers and you may just find that sales jump on their own.
  1. Get interactive. When kids can interact with products in store, a connection is established that can really be useful. By giving kids an opportunity to test various products, especially new products being launched in the back to school window, you can garner a lot of interest.

Want to get ready for the back to school rush? Marketsupport can help with whatever you need, be it retail merchandising, retail audits or people support. Call us today at 1-877-421-5081 or visit www.storesupport.ca for more information.

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