We’ve all heard the phrase “merchandise that sells itself.” Don’t you wish your store could be filled with things like that? Well, you're in luck – these tips to choose the best merchandise for your store will help you get closer to that delightful goal.

Do you want to go broad-and-shallow, or narrow-and-deep?

Box stores and chain retailers tend to carry lots of different items, but not much selection of any one thing. As an independent (and possibly very small) retailer, you can compete with them by going the other direction. Zero-in on a limited range of items (whatever your store specializes in), but offer an outstanding, unique selection of colors, styles, sizes, etc.

Consumables build recurring sales.

Try to carry at least some items that need to be replaced regularly (hand lotion, batteries, edibles, etc.). These things guarantee repeat business, bringing customers back into your store to see other merchandise, too.

Think “display groupings” as you order.

Consider pulling together different items of a single color or range, similar items in different sizes and/or colors, or mixed apparel you can show as outfits with accessories, etc. Thinking about this up front will make display creation much easier.

How important are brand names?

Sometimes it’s essential to carry the best-known brands of certain items, but sometimes merchandise selection is more about branding your store.

Will it make money for you?

Merchandise won’t sell itself – at least not profitably – if it’s priced wrong. Underpriced items may sell quickly, but an overly low price may say “cheap” in other ways, putting off customers instead of enticing them. And if you underprice, you cannot “make it up in volume.” You’ll simply lose money.

As you contemplate your options, consider the price range that will be most tempting to your clientele. Select a diversity of merchandise and price points within that range, to appeal to a wider variety of shoppers and encourage impulse buys.

Consider the vendor as well as the item.

Naturally you’d rather order from vendors you like. But this is business. Choose vendors whose merchandise is high quality. Vendors who will have your back, with easy re-ordering and reliably on-time delivery. If you can’t depend on them, your customers cannot depend on you. That’s deadly, no matter how fabulous your merchandise.

Use savvy, creative displays to help merchandise sell itself.

Highlight new arrivals, up front and center. Use special lighting to draw attention to displays, especially higher-priced items. Refresh and rearrange displays often enough to keep customers coming back.

Monitor sales closely.

Hot sellers will need to be re-ordered right away to avoid disappointing out-of-stocks. Try displaying poky sellers in a different way (perhaps coupled with more popular items). If that doesn’t work, cross them off the list when it’s time to make new merchandise selections. Heavy-up on those most popular sellers instead.

The ultimate advice?

Become a student of your customers. The more you understand their needs and wants, the better you’ll become at choosing top-selling merchandise for your store.

Palmer Retail Solutions strives to offer our clients the absolute best combination of innovation, quality, service, and value for our diversified custom store fixtures and merchandising displays. For more information about our designs, retail fixtures, cash wraps, kiosks, or point of purchase displays, visit our website at: http://www.palmerretailsolutions.com.