If you’re in the retail business, your merchandising strategy should focus on attracting customers to consider and ultimately make a purchase from your assortment of products and this includes stack displays.
Here are six do’s and don'ts which retailers and space planners should consider when dealing with stack displays
1. Do: Know your customers
The way merchandise is displayed in your store should be tailored to your customer base, just like your assortments are. To be frank, your customers have come to your store to find what they want, so they only care about what you can do for them.
Make sure that stack displays speak to your customer's wants and needs because the more attractive stack displays are; the more likely they will direct attention to products. This will suggest that the goods are of particular importance and create a sense of urgency - enticing customers to stop and consider the product on display.
2. Don’t: Over Stack
The nature of retail operations is to stock and stack merchandise so that it is easily accessible and readily available for customers. However, each year, there are reported injuries to both customers and employees due to falling merchandise.
It is possible for accidents to happen when products are stacked too high. Displays which are too tall also interfere with customer's sight lines, becoming disruptive and less appealing.
3. Do: Be creative
Dull, boring displays lead to dull, boring sales results. You have to be excited about your store, your assortment and the products you can provide your customers. Make sure you get creative — stack displays allow you to introduce and test products without using up valuable high-performing retail shelf space. Stack displays are also great for showcasing seasonal and holiday items.
This is a perfect opportunity to use highly-visible displays to spread some holiday cheer with your customers, engage with them and create an association between your store and the season. An example may include BBQ equipment during summer.
4. Don’t: Over clutter
Floor planning may often be a matter of personal taste, but one should always take into account the customers in store experience. Imagine you are a customer walking into your store - you would want product displays to be well organised, appealing and easy to shop.
You would also expect enough space in-between aisles to easily navigate the store. Stack displays often cause congestion so keep a lookout for this.
5. Do: Monitor your display
Stack displays, if not monitored, can become a dumping site. As customers shop, stack displays in-between aisles often serve as the number one spot for placing products the customer has considered they no longer want.
Be sure your floor managers remember to re-merchandise these unwanted products.
6. Don’t: Stack small items
If a retailer wants to move certain products or if they want to promote products by using stack displays, big and heavy products would be the best choice. Products which can nest as well as bulk items, such as pet food and bicycles, which are difficult to merchandise in their usable state are perfect for stack displays.
Although there may be a desire to stack smaller items, they often look messy and cluttered.
Conclusion
As with all merchandising, your customers want to be enticed during the limited time they will be in your store. Stacking your displays for optimum experience will differentiate you from the rest of your competitors and keep your customers coming back for a great experience.
