How to make promotional ideas effective in supermarkets

It’s not always obvious how promotional concepts apply to various commercial venues – like supermarkets.  But they do and there are some key ways you can apply them in your supermarket.

How to make promotional ideas effective in supermarkets is a matter of thinking strategically.  Many consumers who try promotional items come to buy them faithfully.  Impulse purchases lead to brand loyalty more frequently than many believe.

Getting outside the zone.

Taking promotions outside the supermarket sections in which the product involved is usually found invites consumers who don’t habitually enter that section to the party.

Because you’re targeting consumers who don’t normally go into the bakery area, or the cereal aisle, your more likely to encounter shoppers new to the product you’re promoting.  That means enhanced sales, external to the area the product is usually sited.

Highlighting versatility.

A cracker is much more than a conveyance for cheese.  It’s the basis for a light appetizer or dips, too.

Showing your shoppers how the item you’re promoting can do more than one thing creates conditions for them to purchase more frequently.  That’s the lifeblood of grocery brands and additional revenue for your supermarket.

Highlighting product versatility turns on the light bulb hovering over the head of every brand loyalist, inviting them to use and purchase it more often.

Twofers.

Give promoted products a marketing boost with twofer offers.  While the price point of the promotion may be the same as it usually is, your supermarket is much more likely to move a higher volume when stating that price point differently.  For example, “$2.00 each” becomes “two for $4.00”.

The magic is in the promotional wording, with consumers more likely to buy two of the product at the same price point when the wording is tweaked to reflect value.

Go big.

A big, colorful display is one of the simplest ways to attract the attention of your shoppers to the promotion.  The display colors should reflect packaging and branding, echoing and enhancing it.

The saying “go big or go home” applies here.  Shoppers are more likely to stop, look and then, buy when you follow this simple principle.

Brand-matching promotions.

Bread and butter.  Peanut butter and jelly.  They go together.  With that idea in mind, your promotions will see greater success when they pair a free offer with a “twofer” (as described above).  In the case of bread, your brand match may be premium, organic butter.  For peanut butter, an exotic jelly.

Compelling the shopper to purchase multiples then moves them toward a matching brand they might not normally think about buying.

Creativity and cooperation with vendors make the world of supermarket retail go around.  These 5 tips are tried and true strategies, capable of increasing market penetration and revenues by deploying them to draw consumers toward them.

Clip Strip Corp. brings your supermarket the very best in POP display supports.  Enhance these 5 tips to make promotional ideas effective in supermarkets with professional retail display products that bring consistency to your in-store promotional efforts.

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source http://clipstrip.com/pop-fuel/how-to-make-promotional-ideas-effective-in-supermarkets/

5 layout secrets of the big retail chains

The big retail chains have a wealth of strategies to get consumers interested and keep them that way until they buy.

Employing a variety of tactics, they get into shoppers’ heads to discern consumer need and answer it.  But there are several secrets common to the big retail chains we can share with you here.

These are the 5 layout secrets of the big retail chains and how you can employ them at your brick and mortar store.

1. Windows tell a story.

The retail outlet window is where the sale experience begins.  Here’s where you tell your brand story, convey its value to shoppers and establish the worthiness of your outlet.

Cluttered windows signal that your store isn’t offering a premium experience.  Displaying a few items well is more likely to interest potential customers.  Sticking to a color theme is another indicator of quality.  These colors should echo your branding and integrate what the window is saying to consumers with that branding.

2. First impressions.

Once shoppers have made the decision to come inside, the first thing they should see is a display that’s eye-catching and arresting.  Slow them down.  Grab their interest and watch them spend more time in your outlet, making them more likely to buy.

Seasonal interest and special promotions are what to place just inside the entrance to pique the interest of people making it through the front door.

3. Helpful guidance.

Studies have shown that when shoppers enter a retail outlet, they routinely look first left, then right.  But how to guide them?  Common consumer impulse is to strike out to the right and then move around the store, to the left.  Because this is a natural way of approaching the consumer journey, retailers can present consumers with a wider aisle to the right side of the entrance.

To the right, your outlet should also display items which induce a sense of pleasure in the shopper.  Flowers evoke memories of special occasions.  Seasonal displays have a similar effect.

4. The aisle to nowhere.

A common error is to create layouts in which some aisles lead to either a blank wall, or the stock room.  Any blank wall in a retail outlet is an error to begin with, but your aisles should lead shoppers to something of interest.  Whether that’s a compelling POP display, or a promotional offer, interest at the end of the aisle is key.

5. Give them a break.

The retail experience can be an exhausting one (especially with kids in tow).  So, give your customers a break.  Create cross aisles that break up the monotony of what can be oppressively long aisles.

It’s been demonstrated that product in the middle third of long aisles is more difficult to move, due to shopper fatigue, because long aisles overwhelm consumers.

Contact Clip Strip Corp. to find out more about the 5 layout secrets of the big retail chains and how our POP supports can optimize them.

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Liquidating surplus inventory: smart ways to get rid of excess stock

Too much of a good thing is a problem many retailers struggle with.  That’s why it’s so important that you have strategies in place to move excess stock.  It takes up space in your stockroom and on your shelves and worst of all, it represents money you could be spending on other priorities.

Here, we’re going to offer you some tips about liquidating surplus inventory:  smart ways to get rid of excess stock.

Keeping track of inventory on hand is a key function of a healthy retail business.  Knowing what’s in your stockroom can tell you when it’s time to move some of it out the front door.  Regular tracking helps you avoid letting too much of a good thing take up residence.

Tweaking your merchandising.

Excess inventory may result from sales forecasts that didn’t pan out, or bad timing for a particular item, but that’s not always the case.  Sometimes, items you believed would move faster than they did just need a little tweak to get them out the door.

Positioning is one way to make that happen.  A simple fix is moving the slow-moving inventory to another position in the store.  This may be as simple as moving it to a different shelf, or organizing it differently in relation to other, similar items.

This approach is especially useful for items you have faith in.  If you genuinely believe that your efforts haven’t presented the inventory at its most attractive, trying a different approach based on your perception of its value is a good way to go.

Strategic discounts.

Once you’ve refreshed your merchandising, it’s time to consider strategic discounts.  Incremental discounts, accompanied by online and in-store promotions can move the stock.  Start low and build the discount in increments.

Offering consumers an opportunity through a limited time offer or sale is an attendant strategy that alerts your customers to the discount.  A “flash sale” or “one-time offer” can turn the heads of your shoppers.  They may have seen the item and liked it, but wanted another price point to be offered.

This strategy demands a little planning and strategic promotion.  Break out the balloons and streamers.  Put a table out on the sidewalk.  Offer shoppers an experience, like a solo harpist, or Spanish guitar player.  The bigger you go, the more buzz you create and the more likely you are to get that excess inventory out of your store.

PRO-TIP:  Strategic discounts and sales events should be applied sparingly.  When customers get too accustomed to them, they’ll begin to lose interest and wonder if your business isn’t going under.  Frame your events as celebrations of your retail outlet that invite valued customers to participate.

They’ll probably bring their friends, if you mount something exciting and high-value.

Clip Strip Corp. is a leader in POP merchandising supports and in-store displays.  We create consistency and professionalism for your in-store marketing, refining the shopping experience for customers.

Contact us to find out how we can support your business with outstanding POP merchandising.

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5 ways to transform your exhibit interactions into on-site sales

Exhibitions are an ideal way to connect with potential customers.  But being there is only half the battle.  How are your interactions translating into on-site sales that cement relationships for the future?

In this post, we’re going to share 5 ways to transform your exhibit interactions into on-site sales.

1. Present connective opportunities.

While your display may be eye-catching and informative, getting noticed isn’t enough to make it work for you.  Once passersby know you’re there, presenting them with connective opportunities is key to making a lasting impression.

Opportunities that work to connect you with the people passing by come in several forms.  One is offering free product trials.  Another is literature (or business cards) that invite visitors to check out your online presence.  When coupled with a pleasing approach, the effect is a personalized experience of your brand that gets them thinking, “Now, here’s someone I could do business with.”

The call to action isn’t just for online marketing.  In the real world, it asks for some type of action from potential customers which cements your brand and its products in their minds.

2. What are the other guys doing?

Part of mounting a successful exhibition presence is awareness of your competitors and their strategies.  Do your homework and know how they’re reaching out to potential customers.  Ask yourself how you can make your brand and products worthy of prolonged attention.

You’ll get a lot of valuable intel from paying attention to what others in your sector are doing in terms of engaging people on site.  That intel is going to help you answer the interests of your market on the exhibition floor.

3. Get social.

Social media is an engine of goodwill and networking you can’t afford to ignore, because a whole world of customers and connections is there.  Ensure that your feed (whether it’s Facebook, Twitter or Snapchat) is replete with images of your exhibit. Use social media to invite your followers to stop by and chat.

Don’t forget to include photos and videos of interactions with exhibition attendees which bring your followers into the heart of the action.

4. Charm goes a long way.

Everyone wants to work with people they like, so make sure that whoever’s on deck at your exhibit has the charm, confidence and intelligence to know how to talk to people.

Remember that once you have a business card, you can add your new contact to your social media platforms, or email personalized follow ups.  The more charming you are, the more high-quality interactions you’re going to have.

5. Those crucial 30 seconds.

An on-site sales pitch sinks or swims in the first 30 seconds.  This should be defined, rehearsed and delivered with uncompromising confidence.  Getting the interest of potential customers happens fast, or not at all.  Make your 30 seconds count.

These are 5 ways to transform your exhibit interactions into on-site sales.  Taking the time to prepare for exhibitions can make all the difference.  Contact us to find out about our premium exhibition display supports.

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source http://clipstrip.com/pop-fuel/5-ways-to-transform-your-exhibit-interactions-into-on-site-sales/

POP vs. POS: What’s the difference?

Point of purchase and point of sale.  Sounds like the same thing, right?  The truth is they’re very different animals, inhabiting different parts of the consumer journey.

Regardless of the sector you’re working in, from menswear to fishing equipment, the consumer journey is a consistent thread running through all types of retail sales experiences.

Here, we’ll de-mystify the two acronyms for you and answer the question “POP vs. POS:  What’s the difference?”.

POP goes the buying decision.

The term “point of purchase” may be a little misleading, because while it refers to a specific place, that place isn’t consistent in terms of location within any given brick and mortar operation.  The POP is where consumer meets product.  At the POP, consumers are informed about the product and (if all goes well), consumers buy the product.

A POP display supports enhanced sales by highlighting specific products, whether a trusted brand of laundry detergent, or a pair of gabardine slacks.  The actual point of purchase is wherever that display appears, from aisle one to the north wall.  But “point of purchase” has another meaning – the point at which the consumer makes a buying decision.

POS – where the magic happens.

The point of sale is where the consumer has made all their buying decisions for the day and approaches the cash register.  Whether they’re shopping online or in your brick and mortar retail outlet, they’re ready to pay.  So, the point of sale is where shoppers either set their purchases on the belt, or click the “go to checkout button”.

The point of sale is where the consumer journey reaches its terminus, with payment to the retailer.

Displays that POP.

Clip Strip Corp. Roto™ Clip Brand Sign Holders bring a whole new level of “POP” to your retail outlet.  These revolutionary sign holders are a recent addition to our full suite of point of purchase items.  Our Roto Clips rotate, swivel and attach to a variety of surface edge styles and sizes – even to wire fixtures.  Their swivel action makes your message visible from a variety of angles, so your POP message never gets lost in the shuffle.

Uniquely adapted to shelving and display frames, these durable plastic signage supports are affordable and the more of them you purchase, the more affordable they are.

They’re way more than just “clips”.  There are several versions available, depending on what your outlet’s needs are.  For example, when a clip won’t do it, maybe a suction cup will.   Windows and glass surfaces are great locations for signage.  But we also offer a magnetic base version that’s perfectly adaptable to gondola shelving and other metal surfaces.

Clip Stip Corp.’s range of POP supports take your POP displays to a whole new level, enhancing the consumer experience with professionalism.

“POP vs. POS:  What’s the difference?”, is a question even some retailers ask us.  Now that you know the difference, contact us for leading edge POP display supports.

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source http://clipstrip.com/pop-fuel/pop-vs-pos-whats-the-difference/

5 tips brick and mortar retailers can use to personalize the in-store experience

Everyone wants to feel valued, including consumers where their patronage is concerned.  That’s why personalization is an important part of the in-store experience.

86% of consumers, when asked if they’d pay more for a personalized shopping experience, responded in the affirmative.  That’s a compelling statistic which demands your attention.  And an important factor driving that number is consumer experience online.  Cyber transactions have become highly personalized, increasing pressure on brick and mortar vendors to follow suit.

Following at 5 tips brick and mortar retailers can use to personalize the in-store experience.

1. Value your floor staff.

The personalized experience offered by e-commerce still doesn’t compare to a quality retail experience.  Over 90% of consumers still choose brick and mortar for their shopping.  High-value, personal interactions with flesh and blood floor staff are the reason.

Human interactions give you an edge over e-commerce.  Well trained sales personnel are your greatest asset, so invest in training them to interact with customers on a highly-personalized level and watch your sales soar.

2. Know your customers.

The best way to do this is to be present, even if your presence is via floor proxies.  Politicians are more likely to get the votes they want when they connect directly with voters.  The same is true of retail sales.

Offering your customers surveys is another way to gather key information about your shoppers and what they want.  But offering a high-value newsletter which includes brief surveys, news about promotions and special offers is even better.  These can be sent by email with personal notes that might read “Hi, (name)!  I thought you might like to be the first to know about (insert promotion).

3. Use technology.

Local businesses will find a level of personalization in Facebook that’s second to none.  Making friends with your customers was never easier.

Local interest, civic engagement and items of community interest join your commercial efforts.  Your customers feel special when you engage them directly on this platform and feel a sense of shared experience that only the in-store experience can match.

4. Personalization and privacy.

There’s a fine line between “personal” and “too personal”.  That said, 90% of consumers surveyed have revealed that they’re willing to part with personal information to take advantage of a higher level of shopping personalization and (above all) rewards.

Letting your customers know that their information won’t be sold to third parties is a best practice when asking for it.  It further cements the relationship when you honor that promise.

5. Reward loyalty.

The last of the 5 tips brick and mortar retailers can use to personalize the in-store experience is a big one.  80% of consumers participate in at least one loyalty program and report that they’ll stick with your loyalty program before buying from a competitor at a lower price.

With loyalty programs, you’re not only gathering valuable information about your customer base, you’re gaining an understanding of what they buy, which further supports the project of personalization.

Contact Clip Strip for quality POP supports.

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source http://clipstrip.com/pop-fuel/5-tips-brick-and-mortar-retailers-can-use-to-personalize-the-in-store-experience/