December is a peak sales period in retail, shifting the focus from setup to ongoing maintenance, replenishment, and presentation finesse. Efficiency and preparation are essential to optimize your team’s time and effort.
Top Tips for the Season:
- Set a Clear Plan – When your team understands the layout, zoning, and space allocations, they’re better equipped to maintain and support each display. Be clear on which themes go where to streamline the upkeep.
- Daily and Weekly Meetings – Consistent check-ins to review goals and daily tasks will keep everyone aligned and proactive. (For help with daily / weekly maintenance, see this Daily / Weekly Checklist)
- Invest in Training – Encourage your team to make replenishing and fine-tuning a habit during quieter periods. Small, frequent adjustments are easier and more efficient than a full-scale reset!
Preparing for January:
As the pace slows in January, shift focus to refreshing and planning for the new year.
- Clear Out Holiday Decor – Customers are ready for a fresh start, so transition displays to convey a “new year, new look” vibe. Plan this shift approximately 4-6 weeks ahead to stay relevant, and give enough time for potentially any ordering timelines, if sourcing is need.
- Annual Strategy Review – Take this time to reflect on last year’s trends and opportunities for improvement, and outline key dates for planning each phase of the upcoming year. (To help set-up your space plan: Visual Merchandisng Space Plan)
- Conduct a Self-Audit – Whether you do it yourself or bring in a third party, January is ideal for evaluating your store’s performance and planning enhancements. It’s time to work on your business, not just in it! (To help assess your space: DIY competitor assessment or Self-Assessment, or book one of A VM space audit).
Additional Resources:
Affordable Strategies for Retail Presentations and Displays
ABOUT ANI:
Ani Nersessian is a visual merchandising specialist and the face behind VM ID.
With a B.Des from Toronto Metropolitan University’s Fashion Communications program, Ani has also taught Visual Merchandising & Display courses at both TMU’s and Seneca Polytechnic’s Schools of Fashion. Over her 15+ year career in the retail industry, Ani has worked with prominent brands and companies, including Holt Renfrew and Adidas Group Canada, before founding VM ID to share her expertise with a diverse range of retailers.
Ani has been featured in publications such as Retail Insider and The Globe and Mail and has collaborated with notable companies such as Oxford Properties, Cadillac Fairview, and Joe Fresh. Current partners include the One of a Kind Show, Signatures Shows, and Stackt Market.
At VM ID, Ani believes no retailer can afford to be without a strong visual merchandising strategy. She is dedicated to identifying opportunities, enhancing the productivity of selling spaces, and elevating brand image for each client. VM ID supports businesses of all sizes, equipping them with tools, training, and guidelines for effective in-house visual merchandising. Whether for a boutique or a large-scale retailer, VM ID is committed to helping brands thrive with tailored visual solutions.
Website: www.vm-id.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Social handles: Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn
Monthly newsletter (full of tips’n’tricks): www.vm-id.com/newsletter
