800.347.3020
LinkedinTwitter
RIS | Retail Information SystemsRIS | Retail Information Systems
RIS | Retail Information Systems
Retail Solutions that Mean Business | POS | Inventory Control
  • Products
    • Retail Pro
    • Retail Pro Prism
    • iVend Retail
    • POS Hardware
  • Solutions
    • Ecommerce
    • Vendor Integration
    • SMS Marketing
    • Payment Solutions
  • Services
    • Support Login
  • Resources
    • Main Blog
  • Company
Menu back  
 

Keep your Holiday Shelves Stocked: A Wienerdog Tale

September 24, 2015Main BlogBy admin

By Toni Rumley

Today you will learn how a Wienerdog can improve your sales. You’re probably thinking this crazy Doxie lady has finally gone over the edge. While that may be true, it still doesn’t negate the fact that an adorable creature, half a dog tall and two dogs long, is going to teach a valuable lesson about retail sales.

The story starts when a big box retailer decided to sell a Halloween skeleton in the shape of a Dachshund. (Don’t bother looking for any because my long dog friends have already purchased them all.) The retailer’s website stated they were available in stores, so all the Dachshund lovers immediately jumped in their cars searching for what they considered to be the perfect holiday décor. Upon entering the store, with the aisle number in hand, it was soon discovered that the Halloween Décor, inclusive of the skeletal wieners, were not yet out on the sales floor.

Here is where the lesson of the day emerges: Many big box retailers have taken the “thinking” aspect away from their store personnel. They send out memos stating “Do not merchandise this product until XX/XX/XXXX date”. They also tell them to place item x in location y, thus the squandering of any creativity from the store’s personnel. The intent is to ensure all the stores look exactly the same. It’s a nice concept, however, not all states or cities should be treated equally. The store location where these highly desired items were to be placed happened to be the same area where the back-to-school supplies and patio furniture once called home. Unfortunately, parts of Texas go back to school a month before the schools in California, so the shelves in the area were empty. Logic makes you think, if there is space to place the new items, then go ahead and merchandise them on the floor. But this was not the case. The store was directed to only place the items on the sales floor beginning on the specified date and the retailer didn’t want the store personnel to think for themselves. They only wanted them to follow instructions – go from task A to task B.

This “Big Box” mentally opens itself up for all the smaller retailers to take advantage.

Retailers should “think” about their floors, to keep them special and up-to-date. Allow your store personnel to move things around and bring relevant items to the front. If special events are happening in your neighborhood or state, then tailor the floor to those events. Look relevant and be relevant. Your customer guests will appreciate the specialized attention and reward you with purchases.

The long and short of this lesson comes down to these simple points:
1. You can’t achieve sales from empty shelves.
2. You can’t sell product from the back room.
3. Every location cannot be treated the same.
4. Don’t mess with crazy wienerdog ladies.

About the author: Toni Rumley is the Retail Planning Specialist at Retail Information Systems (and a Dachshund owner). As a Management One affiliate, she helps our clients overcome their biggest financial struggles, including but not limited to cash flow, profits and sales. If you would like a no obligation consultation with Toni, then contact her at ToniR@RIS.com.

About the author

admin

Related posts
The 411 on EMV: What Every Retailer Needs to Know
September 18, 2015
Retail Insights: July 2015 Comp Sales Results/Q2
September 3, 2015
Retail Trends for 2015: It’s All About Experience
February 17, 2015
retail sales
Holiday Sales Results 2014 – The Good, the Bad, and the Not-So-Ugly
January 5, 2015
black friday
Black Friday / Cyber Monday. Ho-Ho-Ho or Ho-Ho-Hum?
December 4, 2014
IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR (unless you’re a retailer)
November 20, 2014
Solution by Vertical
  • Apparel POS Solutions
  • Footwear POS Solutions
  • Franchise POS Solutions
  • Gift and Toy POS Solutions
  • Hardgood POS Solutions
  • Home Furnishing POS Solutions
  • Specialty / Boutique POS Solutions
  • Sporting Goods Store POS Solutions
  • Western Wear POS Solution
  • Wine and Spirits POS Solution
Locations

Retail Information Systems
2555 Westhollow Drive
Houston, Texas
77082, USA

RIS Services JLT
X2 Tower, 23rd floor, Office 2301
JLT, Dubai, UAE
T: +97144309347

Find us on:

FacebookTwitterGoogle+
Hours of Operation

USA: Monday to Friday,
9AM to 6PM CST.

UAE: Sunday to Thursday,
9AM to 6PM GST.

Closed during all major holidays
Contact

Telephone: 800.347.3020
Fax: 281.558.7357
Email: info@ris.com

   REQUEST A DEMO   

     SUPPORT LOGIN    

SHOP THE RIS STORE

Retail Information Systems 2015