Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
If you’re trying to attract new shoppers to your business, you only get one chance to make a first impression, so make it a good one by having a spotless salesfloor with impeccable merchandising. Well-trained employees can help you keep your store in top shape. A good place for that training is the Basic Training in Retail Merchandising course from the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA).
Suitable for employees at any level, the course explains how proper merchandising makes it easier for customers to shop, makes it more likely for them to come back and encourages add-on sales. The course discusses the importance of merchandising, the elements that make an effective display and the various types of displays in a typical retail store.
The course also discusses basic salesfloor housekeeping and maintenance. As employees take this course, here are four merchandising basics to review with them.
Fill it. Restock shelves and peghooks as soon as you see one empty. Customers who see empty spaces are likely to think you can’t provide what they need and may go somewhere else.
Face it. All products should be turned so labels face the front of the shelf or hook to allow customers to easily find what they are looking for. Pull products as far forward as possible to give the appearance of a full shelf.
Complete it. All signage and price tags should be current with what is in the point-of-sale system. Remove empty boxes or other items that do not belong in the display.
Clean it. Dust shelves, straighten up the merchandise and pick up items that have fallen on the floor. Disorganized displays send a bad impression about your business, to both new and regular shoppers.
The Basic Training in Retail Merchandising course is available to NHPA Premier members. If you are not a Premier member and would like to learn more, visit YourNHPA.org/membership.
