Every department manager, retail inventory planner, and business owner understand the correlation between how items are placed on store shelves and overall revenues. The goal is to attract customers to offered items and make it easy to find the consumable everyday products they need. Despite concentrated efforts, common mistakes cost owners significant money.
Shelving Types
Dark-colored shelves with front edges create barriers between customers and items they wish to buy. Getting items to clear the edge while removing them from the shelf can be a daunting task, especially for short or elderly shoppers. Shelves with several hooks or protruding racks to hold smaller items, such as hair accessories, household tools, or toothbrushes, can be difficult to navigate and find the desired product. This will lose customers and boost the revenues of the competition.
The most beneficial type of shelving is designed to support products and not overshadow them. Placing products on Used Gondola Shelving highlights them without barriers. These shelves are flat and available in different shapes, depths, and sizes. No edges in front or walls at the side make it easy to see what is offered and select the item preferred. End-cap units are ideal for showcasing new products while wall racks can be used to brighten up back corners. Two-sided units translate into organized departments and quick shopping.
Used Versus New
High-quality shelving is durable, so it lasts for years. The rate of store closures means there are hundreds of shelves available at lower pricing. This situation is ideal for start-up businesses, those that are opening a second location, or owners who want to rearrange the layout and update the look of the space. Having the right shelving to increase sales do not need to cost a small fortune.
Safety
It makes sense that an increase in sick days for employees, higher accident rates, and more injuries to employees and customers are not attributed to shelving. The fact is that many accidents and injuries are often caused by shelving. There are at least three mistakes that can be remedied. One is keeping the area and shelves clean and clear of debris.
Training employees about the weight limits of each type of shelving used and correct procedures for stocking them will reduce sick time, workers’ compensation claims, and accidents caused by shifting or collapsing shelves. It also ensures customer safety as they are moving along in the store. The third way is to leave enough space between shelves so customers are comfortable and will look for what they want without feeling like they are in the way.
Efficiency
Customers expect to find what they want and need independently. They do not want to, and will not, go searching for an associate to locate a specific brand or product. It is more likely they will search for the product at another store. Stocking efficiently will raise revenues and keep customers returning to your store.
Be Trendy
Not keeping up with the latest trends results in shelf stocking that does not present the latest popular item front and center. People want new and improved products so make sure those products are easily spotted. Rotate displays to avoid becoming boring and predictable. If customers are always seeing new displays that capture their attention, they will return to the location over and over raising profits.
Following simple tips and best practices for safety will provide excellent shelving stocking techniques that eliminate common mistakes and higher operating costs. Losing money via accidents, inaccessible products, and outdated features can be fixed so retail profits are increased.
