Looking for inexpensive ways to upgrade your retail space? Here are 5 tips:
1. Maintain or upgrade light sources. Reposition track heads to highlight merchandise in the shop. Change burned-out bulbs and replace broken fixtures. Only bats (and Elvira) are attracted to the dark.
2. Make housekeeping a routine. Take five minutes every hour you're open to dust, fold, straighten and hang merchandise. Maintenance carried out through the day makes closing the store a snap.
3. Get to know the customer. Who are your customers? Why do they buy from you? Practice sound relationship-building fundamentals to determine your market. Aggressive merchandisers track demographics and trends in the industry.
4. Develop a geographical strategy for each department. What goes where‹and why? Evaluate your product mix, location and space dedication in the store. Does it support your business plan?
5. Incorporate bold colors. Customers look at color first, followed by style, size and price. Be aware of predictable behavior patterns that will increase sales with little or no effort.