Stuff the Pandemic

Put your creative mind in gear! Build a "Stocking Stuffers Headquarters" endcap. Your goal is to feature no more than six different items on the endcap. That means each item may have its own shelf. You will need sufficient inventory to make this rock! Leave room for a 5" by 7" sign for each item. Here is the catch. The six items need to be of pandemic survival theme. Each item needs to fit into a Christmas stocking. Your choices can be anything from masks to Elderberry gummies. It is important that you keep the item count to 6 different items. Make sure each item retails for no less than $5.00 each. Send me a photo, good chance you will have your name and a photo of your masterpiece in the Front-End Hall of Fame.

If at first it doesn't sell

Merchandisers create profitable sales increases! Creating sales puts smiles on owners' faces. Ready to make some smiles? Find the 10 slowest-selling seasonal items and or gifts in the store that sell for $10.00 or more. Remerchandise them, move them if you have to. Add a compelling sign. Here is a tip; compelling signs do not mention prices, instead, they focus on product features. And because our brain processes pictures faster than words, the most compelling signs have a picture on them.😊

To stamp or not to stamp

Offering a free stamp with every Christmas card will cost you 55¢ each (gulp). If your cards are not selling, this might be an option for you. However, this is not a good option for cards that retail for less than $2.00. If you can return your unsold seasonal cards for full credit, then don't worry about it. However, if you have to store the cards until next year and put them out again, you should consider the free stamp promotion. Run the deal as a daily special so you can stop it when you want to. This would be a great promotion to put on your digital sign.

The turkey's done!

Forget the 50% off Thanksgiving sale. There needs to be no sign of Thanksgiving in your store! If you are closed on Sunday, you have a total of 17 days to sell Christmas (yikes). If you haven't already, box up the Thanksgiving, go back later when things slow down and create an inventory. When doing the inventory, always, in big numbers, write the total retail inventory amount on the outside of the box and place a copy of the inventory sheet in the box. Mark the box Thanksgiving 2020.

P.S. Do not use your wholesaler's totes to store inventory.

Help customers help themselves

In December, merchandisers are asked to reset smoking deterrents and incontinence. Do it. Neither one is going to take you much time. The reason to reset the smoking deterrents is to get you ready for New Year's resolutions. If you have time, spiffy up the weight management category as well. For incontinence, take the time to see if there are new styles and that the department is located next to the feminine hygiene department and NOT near the baby diapers.