Move That Product!

Independent lawn and garden retailers spend a lot of time and effort to ensure their stores are shoppable, unique, and more inviting than the average big-box store. Two of the most impactful merchandising techniques are cross-merchandising and off-shelf merchandising. Retailers using these methods report a 25-50% increase in sales. You can have great success by implementing these strategies.

Garden Centers are Plant-Centric Places

Spring sales are all about customers coming into the store looking for new plants, and the adventure of finding and choosing plants. Customers do not often intentionally visit the garden tools and plant care sections of the store. Your opportunity is to get the watering tools and plant care items in a new shoppable place that surprises and reminds buyers that they could use those items as well. In this way, your garden center adapts to the "Load and Go" outside environment.

Location, Location, Location

Like batteries on a clip strip in the toy department, you need to get plant care items with the plants! Many lawn and garden manufacturers now provide merchandising systems to display products in a garden center. When choosing these displays, you should consider two key points.

Keep It Clean!

The plant area is a very wet and dirty place. Soil, dust, insects, sun and water can quickly make products look worn and old. Customers will stay away from these items; nobody buys the bruised apple at the grocery store. Having employees dust or wipe down these products periodically will make a big difference in their attractiveness. Choosing product displays with weatherproof packaging will keep products looking sharp. A clean and tidy display is as powerful as a clean and tidy store. Your customers and store profits will thank you.

Product Placement Matters

Products near the cash register are a prime spot for impulse buys, inside and outside. Placing a display in front and at the end of your benches is the new endcap location. Using fixtures on the bench to merchandise above the plants can level up your merchandising profits. Making sure the off-shelf displays are in a prime location will ensure results.

Following these simple tips will create a more successful shopping experience for your customers and increase your store's bottom line. So, surprise customers! Take merchandise off the shelf, and your sales will increase.

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