How to get customers to buy from you and not your competition?

Merchandising is an important sales support technique that can improve & increase your business. It is not easy to give a simple definition for merchandising because it is a series of ongoing & constantly changing actions. Merchandising works best when you strategically plan the placement and display of goods on shelves that promotes your products in the best light and monitors the presence of products in other retail outlets. Below are 8 store design ideas that can help you merchandise your store better and improve your business.

1. Store window

The first point of contact with the store occurs when the customer walks past the storefront. This takes between three and seven seconds. This moment must be used to get customers interested and encourage them to enter the store. Carefully selected clothing collections should be placed in the window. Mannequins should be changed regularly and tested for engagement. We recommend refreshing your store window every two weeks. When a customer sees fresh window displays, they may be enticed to come in and visit the store to see the new items. A shop window can also be used to advertise promotions that can be found in the store.

2. Entrance Zone

The first hurdle is won when a potential customer is drawn to your store window and enters the store, but the challenge is far from over. The finish line which represents the customer buying the product still has a long way to go. When customer enters the store, they will usually look for what they saw in the window. The next few seconds of the interaction are critical, and the buyer must be convinced that the store worth considering otherwise they will immediately walk out. There should be several enticements that might capture the customers interest. This can be through innovative displays, promotional products, strategic partnerships that are advertised or simply high margin & high turn over merchandise clearly displayed in the entry space.

3. Space organization

The customer must feel comfortable in the store. Having comfort will cause pleasant associations, which can lead to a return to the store, or perhaps another purchase. To make the customer feel good, ensure that the store fixtures, products, and music are set up correctly. Space should be arranged so that the buyer can easily and comfortably view the and understand the offer. The aisles between fixtures needs to be wide, as the hustle and bustle of the store and the need to constantly push can cause a potential customer to leave the store. Comfortable seating placed around the changing room can help people tagging along with the customer's not interfere with the purchase. If there are merchandise shelves in the store, they should be placed at the eye level of the customer - where information is sought and received. In the case of exhibiting products for youth and adults, shelves should be positioned 5ft from the floor but not taller than 6 ft. This range is the most common field of view that most people perceive. The display of goods should be clear and obvious and product exposure must be logical. In addition to your selling floor, consider using your perimeter wall space to create even more eye-catching displays for your merchandise.

4. Lighting and music

Lighting and music are also very important in the store. Clothing with the highest margins should be more brightly lit than other goods. The brighter places in the store attract the attention of customers, which will increase the chances of selling the product where you will earn the most. Music can also help the customer to become more willing to buy. If the store just plays a customer’s favorite hit, they may stay at least until the song is over. Rhythmic and dynamic music should be played near the checkout counter as it encourages buyers to be more active. In stores this can mean more purchases.

5. Promotion

The goal of the promotion is to attract customers. People absolutely love getting a good deal. Promote sale or clearance merchandise with good signage. When a buyer encounters a good sale opportunity they will act even if they didn’t plan to buy the product in the first place. The prospect of paying 30 percent more on their next visit is a strong motivator to make the customer act now. If you can offer your customers a fair discount they will walk out of your stores feeling like a winner and will be more likely to talk about their experience to friends.

6. Changing booths and cash registers

Once a customer is attracted to a product, they should immediately see where they can complete the purchase or try out the product. Reducing the number of barriers to purchase is essential. An adequate number of checkout counters should be provided and well-marked, so that they can be easily found, even from remote parts of the store. In the changing room, a mirror should exist in so that the customer can see if they like it. Mirrors should also exist outside the changing area; in case the customer wants to see themselves from a different perspective. It is also important to place mirrors as accessories in sales areas such as headscarves, ties, and scarves. The buyer may want to see how a tie fits with the shirt, but sees it as too small to be worth the effort of taking to a dressing room booth.

7. Check out counter organization

The cash register (and packaging) area is one of the most important parts of the store. If the checkout process is not made easy, customers can become annoyed or even walk out if things are talking too long. Some people don't even enter the store if the lines are too long. Three rows of five people are a lot easier to mentally handle than one slow line of fifteen people.

8. Color

Colors in the store will set the mood and emotions in the space. Colors also add to branding and can be used to enhance the story of your brand. There is no “wrong” color, just colors that may not be right for your store or market. All colors have different associations and meanings to different people. You must decide on the colors that are right for your brand and customers. It is important to pick the right color schemes as this is an integral part of your store’s identity. Customers will remember your brand colors and recall your brand when they see those colors & even use those colors to describe your brand to others.