The retail customer experience is the shopper’s overall impression of your store and is not just about selling products. It’s also about creating brand experience and positive feelings in your customers.
When it comes to merchandising, retailers mainly focus on in-stock positions and sales floor layouts in regard to decision-making. And rightfully so. Even the most loyal customer can’t buy their favorite product if it’s out of stock or in the wrong location. However, when implemented, creative merchandising strategies can create customer loyalty and an experience that sets your store apart from the competition.
Let’s explore creative merchandising strategies you can implement immediately to improve your customers’ shopping experience.
- Make your customers feel welcome. Look around your store and imagine coming in for the first time. Ensure there is a large open area and a friendly face to offer a warm welcome and help direct customers to the right products.
- Ensure a seamless journey. Smoothing out a shopper’s journey can be a powerful way to make their visit pleasant. Make sure your traffic flow is easy to navigate. Cleanliness and neatness are also important, as they are synonymous with professionalism.
- Consider all the senses. According to a Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services report, consumers stay up to 51% longer in retail spaces with multisensory cues. This means you want to consider the type of music you play and the scents in your store, add some fluffy, textural fabrics, and be mindful of the type of lighting, i.e., cool neon or warm and soothing. Be sure everything aligns with the image you want to project.
- Improve the in-store experience by using QR codes. Use QR codes to give customers extra information about your products or specials that are or are not otherwise advertised. No more needing to limit the amount of information you provide to your customers to the size of your price tag! QR codes also promote self-service shopping. While you can only wait on one customer at a time, QR codes help customers shop independently. This means you have more time with customers who need extra help.
- Use merchandise to set you apart. Showcase products that create a niche for your store and attract customers with a visual story that includes some stand-out products. Unexpected finds encourage shoppers to take their time exploring, which, in turn, usually makes customers more likely to make a sale and keep returning.
- Shift product locations to encourage discovery. Another strategy to retain customers in your store longer is to move merchandise around so that products never look stale. Many times, customers will think you’ve added new products when you’ve just moved them around.
- Make your store kid-friendly. Generally, if kids are having fun, then their parents are having fun, and who doesn’t love a fun experience? Providing an area of the store or activities to keep little ones busy allows parents to stay longer and also increases brand loyalty. If you are friendly to their kids, parents will have a greater positive feeling about your brand.
- Be a place to make a friend. Provide the venue for community gatherings by hosting in-store organized events. You will facilitate shared enjoyment and introduce your store to community members who may need to become more familiar with your brand.
Merchandising is critical for a retailer, as it can directly impact sales and customer experience. Implementing these creative merchandising strategies will improve your in-store experience and create a lasting connection, making customers more likely to return.
