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With a potential to reach approximately 114 billion U.S. dollars by 2026, the UAE retail sector is one of the country’s fastest-growing industries.
While this sector offers a huge opportunity for startup entrepreneurs, the competition is also on the horizon. Therefore, business owners must maintain a high customer base to stay ahead of the competition in the UAE retail sector.
To achieve this, effective communication and arrangement of products is vital. This will allow customers to access a product without a serious search.
One of the effortless and cost-effective approaches to effective product communication is embracing planograms.
Planograms are like secret weapons in retailing. They help arrange products on shelves, create a seamless shopping experience, and boost sales.
This blog post overviews planograms and their role in visual merchandising. It equips you with strategies to create a planogram that works wonders for both you and your customers.
Understanding Planograms
A planogram, or POG as it’s often called, is like the master plan for arranging products in your store.
A planogram represents how you should display products on your retail shelves to increase customer engagement and sales potential.
Think of planograms as your store’s guiding star, showing you exactly where each product should go.
A planogram takes into account the following factors:
- Product Placement: This is like finding the perfect spot for each product – right where your customers can easily spot them. Consider factors like eye-level placement and adjacency to related items.
- Shelf Space Allocation: This is more of a real estate deal for your products. It is like giving each one the right amount of space based on how popular they are and the season.
- Visual Appeal: This is where you add the finishing touches. You provide signages, labels, and branding elements that make your store inviting to customers.
- Inventory Control: This includes ensuring all your products are ready for the show. No empty shelves or overcrowded spaces. Restocking schedules should also align with your consumer demand.
What is a Planogram Reset?
A planogram reset refers to a situation whereby you just executed a new planogram about a large-scale restructuring of your store layout. This may be stocking new products or restocking your existing products in a new way.
What is Planogram Compliance?
Planogram compliance is the in-store implementation of an assigned planogram. In simple terms, This phenomenon means adhering to the design laid out in your planogram.
Types of Planogram
Your choice of planogram will depend on the type of product and the regional compliance. There are 6 types of planograms, including:
Vertical product placement
Horizontal product placement
Block product placement
Product placement based on market share
Product placement based on commercial status
Product placement based on margin
Benefits of a Retail Planogram
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According to a Ris News report, Red Bull achieved a 30% increase in new household purchases by introducing new planograms in 1,500 stores. Additionally, they verified a 24% decrease in out-of-stock incidents in these newly planned stores.
Integrating planograms into your retail business offers several advantages. Below are the benefits of planogramming:
A Customer’s Dream Experience
Well-designed planograms improve the overall shopping experience. It makes it easier for your customers to find products, discover new items, and make purchase decisions.
Optimized Sales
Imagine strategically placing your high-margin items where they get the most attention. And pairing products that naturally go together – it’s like a sales booster on autopilot. This drives sales and leads to increased revenue.
Your Brand’s Visual Signature
Planograms ensure your brand looks consistent and enticing across all your locations via strategic placement of products.
Inventory Harmony
Effective planograms minimize overstocking and reduce the chances of products going out of stock, leading to better inventory management.
Creating Effective Planograms
To create an effective planogram, you can:
- Hire a planogrammer
- Consult an expert planogram firms
- Use planogram software
- Do-it-yourself (DIY) planogram approach
If you are going for the DIY planogram approach, here is how you can create an effective planogram for your retail store:
Step 1: Analyze Your Sales Data
Start by diving into your sales numbers, getting to know your customer’s preferences, and understanding seasonal trends. This will guide you on which products deserve the spotlight.
Step 2: Organize Your Products by Category
Imagine your store as a well-organized library. Group products by size, color, or type for a layout that makes sense to your customers.
Step 3: Decide on Customer Flow
Picture the flow of customers in your store. Now, place the items they’re most likely to grab right along their path. It’s like putting their favorites on a silver platter.
Step 4: Adopt Planogram Software
Invest in planogram software – it’s like having a trusty assistant. These tools make creating planograms a breeze and sync with your inventory system. Thus making it easier to track your stock levels.
Step 5: Testing and Adapting
Regularly review and adjust your planograms. Conduct A/B testing to determine which layouts increase sales in your retail space. Listen to your customers and adapt to their changing tastes.
Other important aspects of your retail store planogram journey include:
- Empower your store managers and their team by ensuring they understand and follow the planograms-based strategies. Provide training on how to set up product displays according to the planogram and maintain them over time. Keep those communication channels open for any updates or changes.
- Keep an eye on how your planograms are performing. Use analytics to uncover sales trends, customer behavior, and inventory turnover. Let the numbers guide you in tweaking your planograms for even better results.
Why Hire Researchers.me For Your Store Planogram?
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Hiring a specialized company like Researchers.me for your UAE retail business’s planogram can bring numerous benefits. Here’s why it might be the best choice for you:
Market Expertise: We specialize in market research and retail strategies, particularly in the UAE. Our in-depth local market knowledge can provide invaluable insights into consumer behavior and preferences. Also, it reveals market trends specific to the region.
Data-Driven Approach: We employ a data-driven approach, leveraging market research and analytics to inform our planogram designs. Our decisions are from real-time data, leading to more effective and profitable store layouts.
Efficient Inventory Management: A well-designed planogram from us ensures efficient management of your inventory. By strategically placing products based on popularity and seasonal spikes, we minimize your store’s overstocking and out-of-stock situations.
Time and Cost Efficiency: Outsourcing your planogram design to us allows you to focus on core aspects of your business. Our experience and expertise can expedite the process, potentially saving you time and resources in the long run.
Measurable Results: At Researchers.me, we employ performance metrics and analytics to track the effectiveness of our planograms. You can see tangible results in maximized sales, improved customer satisfaction, and better inventory management.
Take Your Retail Strategy to The Next Stage
Introducing planograms into your retail strategy means you’re not just organizing shelves – you’re creating an experience. Get ready for increased sales, happier customers, and smoother inventory management.
Combine data-driven decisions with creative merchandising and watch as your store becomes a magnet for loyal customers. Your blueprint for retail success starts with a well-crafted planogram.