Blog

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Convenience Stores, Store Fixtures

There is a strategy to increasing the sales of coffee and breakfast items in your convenience stores. But when starting up your own business, where you position your coffee and pastries may not be at the top of your priority list. However, how you organize and market your food and beverages can have a major impact on your sales. “The lay out should be strategically drawing people further into the store so that they walk past more impulse items like cakes/snacks,” says David Mendez, Vice Presiden... read more.

• May 11, 2016

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Gondola Shelving & Accessories

There are no catch-all answers to this question, and different store owners, industries and situations will call for different approaches. But we have some general ideas of when is a good time to replace shelving. Take, for example, when overhauling your store: If you are ready and willing to renovate, and you're trying to make everything look fresh and improved (or just different) from your old store, then new gondola shelving can go a long way toward sending that vibe. Colors, light and cleanliness go a l... read more.

• May 06, 2016

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Store Management

If you own a retail store, you have likely come across the term “Point of Sale System.” Wikipedia describes it as: “A retail point of sale system typically includes a cash register (which in recent times comprises a computer, monitor, cash drawer, receipt printer, customer display and a barcode scanner) and the majority of retail POS systems also include a debit/credit card reader.” According to Entrepreneur.com’s small business encyclopedia, “POS software records each sa... read more.

• April 12, 2016

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Store Management

You’re locking up your expensive merchandise, protecting your store from theft. But of course, you also want things to look good and appealing to customers. When considering store security cases, the first thing you want to think about is the balance between functionality and presentation. If you’re locking up high-end items, presentation is still important. How does the security case fit in with the aesthetics and atmosphere of your store? The next thing you want to think about is utility. How... read more.

• April 05, 2016

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Retail, Shelving

It’s all about the flow. Just as the real estate market is famously about “location, location, location,” the ideal store layout is all about where you want your customer to go … and what you want them to see. Think about what’s at eye level vs. what needs extra work to notice. You want your most profitable or in-demand items to be at eye level. Store-wide shelf layout on a broad level, too, can play a role. When you put the hottest items far away from the entrance, you increa... read more.

• March 22, 2016

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Store Fixtures

The smallest of your merchandise likely isn’t top of mind when determining your store shelving needs, but it should be something you consider. The smallest of products need to be displayed just as prominently as larger items, otherwise customers may overlook them completely. And as any store owner knows, small items can be some of the best-selling products! We’re sharing some tips to make your smallest items shine. Baskets are one of the most common ways to display small items because they keep them cont... read more.

• March 11, 2016

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Store Management

Setting customer service policies can be one of the most daunting tasks a small business faces when starting up, but it’s one of the most critical. We all know that exceptional customer service is what keeps a customer returning time after time, but how do you provide it without compromising your bottom line? With a documented, thorough customer service policy! It’s likely that you have a ton of other projects on your plate, but taking the time to set up customer service policies can help you in the long... read more.

• March 04, 2016

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Gondola Shelving & Accessories

Not enough room to display your merchandise? Not sure how to properly showcase that oddly-shaped item? Or do you find yourself constantly picking up fallen items from your shelving? These are all common merchandise display problems that can easily be fixed with the right gondola accessories. We’re sharing some popular accessories that can be implemented to quickly fix common problems and keep your products displayed just the way you want. Limited Space If your store space is limited, it can be difficu... read more.

• February 26, 2016

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Retail

As a small business owner, there’s no better way to learn about your business and customers than everyday experience. But every business owner can benefit from the advice and experience of those that have come before them, and that’s where retail blogs can be helpful. Take just a few minutes each day to read an article or two on these blogs and you might be surprised at the industry updates and inspiration they provide. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorites to check out. SmallBizDaily. This online... read more.

• February 19, 2016

By Steve Di Orio, Posted in Store Management

It’s a competitive landscape for small business owners. Between fighting amongst the ranks of the big box retailers and holding your own against similar operations, staying afloat can be challenging. It’s important to understand and game plan for hurdles you know you are likely to face. Avoiding common pitfalls that you know can lead to trouble, such as taking out too big of a loan or not understanding your market, can help ensure your success down the road. Here are a few common mistakes store... read more.

• February 05, 2016