Merchandising Is Art

“Art is what happens when a human does something original and generous that might not work. It has little to do with paint.”

— Seth Godin

Merchandising is art.

One can take any products and merchandise them – just like taking any paint and putting it on a canvas.

What the merchandiser freely creates with only parameters of space and products – is original art.

It can be super scary to create and have to show your work – be judged.
But here’s the thing – like any artist, the best merchandisers know their purpose before they pick up the brush.

So this is first a reminder that merchandising is art – and second that those merchandising are putting themselves out there as they create things that might not work.
Make sure your merchandisers know what the end goal is of their displays.
And make sure they know it’s ok to try something that might not work.
All you have to do is change it!

Good merchandising:

• tells a story
• guides the customer journey
• increases sales conversions

Tell a Story.

Merchandising should help a customer understand the product and how it fits into their life. Group products that work together, create a seasonal vignette or show the product in context (sometimes as easy as a sign from the vendor to hang with your display) – you should paint the picture of possibility for your customer.

Guide the customer.

Think through your foundational building blocks (display pieces) and make sure you are directing traffic flow so that customers can naturally discover what you want them to see. Don’t forget lighting. It plays a big role in ambience – and simply being able to see where to go next!

Increase sales conversions.

Make sure things are stocked – especially consumables. I was in a store this week that was basically out of their best selling LINNEA fragrances.
You work hard to find products your customers love. You buy them.
Your customers buy them. Then they come back for more — and uh oh.

Your beautiful display becomes meaningless if the shelf is empty when customers want to buy.

Great merchandising takes practice. But it’s helpful if your merchandisers understand the why – and keep working on the how. There are endless ways to create displays, but successful merchandising always comes back to results.

If your bottom line is not as high as you want it to be – think about the story your store is telling through the way you merchandise.

Before y’all worry this is about you I promise it is not about any one store. It’s just an overall idea I have had brewing. 😊

I write every week – create, that is. I put myself out there (it used to be scarier than it is now). And just like your merchandising, I hope over the weeks, months and years it has gotten a little better with practice and purpose.

Woohoo!
xoxo,
❤️ AmyFay

“Shopping is the thrilling but risky exchange of money for something that you’ve never purchased before.
Relatively few people get that privilege.”

— Seth Godin

Grateful to shop, create and grow business with you!
🩷 AmyFay