LAST MINUTE HOLIDAY STRATEGY

I LOVE retail at the holiday. It's hectic and crazy busy, but boy is it fun. Here is a holiday tip to help you manage your stock over the next few weeks.

​One of the easiest ways to keep your stock looking fresh is to merchandise by category and then by color. Let's take scarves for example. First, pull all the scarves together. Next, separate them by style. Finally, sort them by color. Follow the rainbow, ROY G BIV (Red-Orange-Yellow-Green-Blue-Indigo-Violet-light to dark in each colorway). Follow the colors with neutrals White-Off White-Nude-Grey and then Black(light to dark). Mix prints with predominant colors at the end of the solids. 

Here is an example of various accessories as well as a mass bar of schooling apparel at the Maryland Saddlery flagship in Butler. Make sure to stay on top of the strategy as you primp the floor throughout the day and as you add new stock to your floor. 

Here's why this strategy works. Humans see by color, shape, then line(scientific fact). So a block of color will attract the human eye and draw the customer over. As the customer gets closer, they begin to discern different shapes (ie. styles) and then the line and detail. We are using the science of how a human sees to direct the customer through our store. Another benefit - merchandise doesn't look picked over or like broken stock. The color reads as one group. Once you and your staff get used to the rules, it will make it so much easier for you to see what you have and what you don't and if possible to get a quick re-order in to take advantage of popular items.

​Here's to a profitable holiday season!

For more information on merchandising your store contact [email protected] or visit onomadeinthe191.com

Written by Anne Cecil, founder of ONO-Made in the 191. Anne has over 30 years professional experience in retail merchandising & management, product design, coaching, public speaking & consulting. Her posts focus on helping retailing maximize profits, floor space & creating impactful merchandising. ​​