Visual merchandising for your retail business

Visual merchandising is the arrangement and presentation of products to support sales. It can improve the customer experience, market your business and encourage customer loyalty. However, it takes time, effort and money, so assess the likely return before you invest.

Advantages of visual merchandising

The potential advantages of good visual merchandising include:

• Increased customers - Visual merchandising can increase the amount of customers who notice and enter your retail business. Merchandising should start outside where customers first see your premises (eg signage). If they like what they see and enjoy the experience you create inside, this should encourage them to return to your store. See understand your customers' needs.
• Increased sales - Effective visual merchandising can have a clear and positive effect on retail sales. Clear pricing, well-stocked shelves, simple displays and prominent sale signs can help drive profits while improving the shopping experience for your customers.
• Better use of retail space - a clear layout can help you make better use of your existing space without expanding or renovating. Guide customers towards priority products and displays, while keeping routes easy to follow.
• Getting the most value out of products - If you have products that are difficult to sell, clever visual merchandising could help you market them without having to reduce their price. Similarly, you can place low-priced items in less prominent spots to encourage the sale of high-margin items.

Disadvantages of visual merchandising

You may find that there are some barriers to introducing visual merchandising techniques within your retail store, including:

• Changing layout and space - You may have to spend time rearranging aisles, shelves, display fixtures and the general layout of the interior retail space.
• Increased demands on staff - The success of your visual merchandising techniques may mean you have to handle more daily customers, more sales and more deliveries. There may also be more customer service issues, longer hours and the need for more staff.
• Expense - If you install new fixtures, create new signage or improve the appearance of your retail space, costs can quickly add up. However, overcoming the challenges of planning and managing visual marketing can lead to profitability and increase customer loyalty.