In every kind of store, the strategy you adopt when it comes to product placement can and will have a huge impact on sales. But in certain kinds of stores, grocery shops for example, it can be difficult even knowing where to start. Not only can you yourself find the whole thing somewhat overwhelming, but exactly the same can be said for your customers when surrounded by endless available products.

If so, as far as the experts are concerned, what kinds of tips and tricks can help ensure you make the very most of your own grocery store shelving strategy?

The Four-Tiered Approach

Well, first of all those that have been in the business for some time usually follow a four-tiered approach to grocery store shelving. Right at the top come the more unique products and speciality brands – anything slightly less mainstream and usually of a premium nature. One step below these come the best-sellers and the most important products you sell – right at eye-level where they cannot be missed. A little lower comes eye-level for kids, which obviously makes prime real estate for any items to be marketed at younger visitors. Last but not least, discount brands, bulk items and less prominent lines occupy the lower tier.

Careful Positioning

One of the oldest tricks in the book when it comes to effective layouts for grocery stores is that of being sure to impress and excite your customers as soon as they walk in. Right to the front of your store, you should think about the kinds of goods and displays that set the right moods. Interesting and indulgent purchases, bright colours, bold displays and so on – anything that sets the scene and gets the visit off to the right start. Research has shown that wine displays upon entry, for example, can have a significant effect on the mood of the customer. By contrast, staples like eggs, milk, bread and so on should be positioned deeper in the store.

Keep Them Busy

Contrary to popular belief, keeping your store exactly as it is on permanent basis for the sake of familiarity for your customers isn’t necessarily a good idea. The reason being that it has a tendency to breed complacency, boredom and the kind of habitual shopping that sees many of your lines going overlooked. Instead, it can be highly beneficial to occasionally and modestly move a few bits and pieces around, simply to keep your customers on their toes. It won’t baffle or annoy them, but could certainly spark the kind of curiosity that leads to extra or new purchases being made.

Group Ingredients

Last but not least, never overlook the power and influence of displays that bring together multiple ingredients that are entirely different but in some way linked. Think about the kinds of recipes your customers would associate a given ingredient with, then perhaps put together a display that features several of these ingredients all together. This way, they are considerably more likely to buy several of these ingredients than they would if they were spaced out on separate shelves across your store.