Makeover Your Store

After the hectic Christmas season is over and the January sales end, take advantage of the quiet time to overhaul your shop's presentation. Marilyn Stephens explains how to go about it.

January sales provide the opportunity to clear out overstocks and those product lines that seemed so great at the Trade Fair (unfortunately, your customers didn't seem to think so). But after the busiest trading quarter (October to December) does your store look like you feel - tired, older than you are, lacking energy, just not quite right?

Maybe you and your store need a makeover.

February and March - traditionally quiet times for most retailers - offer the opportunity to give your store a facelift. It may not be due for a full refurbishment, but why not tackle some of the issues that would make the store more efficient and maximise your selling space?

You pay rent based on the size and area of your store. Are you sure you are maximising the return on your investment? This does not mean cramming more fixtures and stock into a small space, but presenting your products to your customers in the most effective way.

Does your store need a makeover? Here is the initial checklist the Facilitators use when we conduct an on-site assessment for retailers prior to suggesting improvements. It may only take about half an hour, but it tells us a great deal about what type of retailer you are and if you understand your business. There are three main physical elements that tell the customer who you are.

* Signage and name of store.

* Windows and shopfront.

* Counter and service area.

This article only touches on a few of the basic elements, but undertaking just these simple exercises could produce an improvement.