Retailers, here's why your team should be upping their VM game for Black Friday now (Yes, March!)

Retailers, your Black Friday VM prep begins now.

We know what you're thinking, "Black Friday training? In March? Are they serious?"

Absolutely, we are. 

Black Friday can stress every aspect of retail operations—stock control, customer service, and in-store visual merchandising will all feel the squeeze. Competition will be at its highest, and the second the calendar hits September, your team will be spread thin. Being rushed off your feet does not lend itself to learning and growing. 

Here's the thing: from September onwards, there won't be a second to spare to train your team effectively.

Visual merchandising (VM) is an art, a strategy, and a science—and it takes time to master. This luxury is unavailable in September or October and certainly not in November or December.  

Bringing us to the perfect time to start visual merchandising education and training: March. Your team should be prepping right now if you want to crush those sales goals and create a shopping experience that keeps customers coming back for more. 

Now that we're all on the same page, how do you upskill your team in visual merchandising?

Visual Merchandising: the secret to your Black Friday success

When foot traffic is high, the most significant promotions of the year are running, and store hours are extended, we'll face one high-pressure environment. Any skill gaps or slight challenges your team is experiencing will only heighten during Black Friday.

Visual merchandising is a potent tool for your Black Friday campaign. It’s imperative to highlight your Black Friday deals and create an enticing shopping experience with prominent displays, clear signage, and intriguing product arrangements, all of which require an empowered and informed team. 

5 signs your team needs to upskill in visual merchandising 

If you're serious about your Black Friday goals, you must take VM seriously; here are some common signs that your team needs your support. 

1) Reduced resources  

Whether you're feeling the squeeze of tighter budgets and shrinking margins, or there are fewer staff available to serve customers and handle day-to-day operations, in a leaner environment, it's more important than ever to focus time and energy on the tasks that directly impact customer experience and drive sales. 

2) Maintaining standards 

Ensuring consistent brand presentation across all stores and maintaining high visual merchandising standards can be a challenge. However, variations in presentation can create confusion and erode brand confidence. 

3) Insufficient knowledge 

Many retail employees may lack proper training in VM principles, leading to ineffective displays, incorrect tagging, and a lack of care for brand image, poor product presentation, and missed sales opportunities. .Insufficient training for retail staff can lead to a lack of understanding of brand values, VM principles, as well as damage to product integrity and customer experience. 

4) Attracting customers

With online shopping becoming increasingly popular, brick-and-mortar stores must offer something unique. Your space needs to be immaculately presented and constantly evolving to capture your audience's imagination. According to Ragtrader Australia, 70% of a customer's buying decision is made on the look of a store, and 60 seconds is all it takes to decide if a store is appealing enough to walk in.

5) Converting customers

Is your store ready to convert browsers into buyers? Are your customers greeted warmly? Is your floor plan intuitive? Are your products grouped thoughtfully? Are you telling stories and cross-merchandising to create a seamless shopping experience? If you're hesitating on any of these questions, it's time to upskill your team.

Where to begin in visual merchandising 

Hone in on visual merchandising sales, space management and techniques. 

VM + Sales: 

The VM should look good and drive sales. Strong sales-focused VM strategies make an impact at the register.

Space Management: 

Each area of the store should have a visual merchandising strategy to maximise sales and improve customer experience. 

VM Techniques:

In VM, detail is everything and there are specific techniques and tricks that every VM should know. 

How to upskill your team in visual merchandising skills 

At Mon + Co Agency, we've developed a proven three-step formula to upskill your team in VM:

The Visual Merchandising Course: 

Our online courses teach all the fundamentals of VM, including store presentation, standards, and how to optimise your spaces for sales and customer experience.

The Visual Merchandising Workshop:

Our in-person workshops, where we merchandise walls, tables and racks, allow your team to put their knowledge into practice! Our interactive sessions and open-floor Q&A discussions enable your team to solve their real-world challenges. Your team can apply what they've learnt in-store and get one-on-one expert help and advice during our retail tours.

The Ongoing Visual Merchandising Mentorship: 

Imagine having your very own VM manager overseeing your team. Our three-month or six-month mentorship program ensures your team gets the guidance they need to thrive. We'll help them stay accountable and confident as they apply their new VM skills while we oversee their VM strategy and structure tailored to your space.

Across the course of the training and mentorship, your team will learn the same proven techniques our National Team of VM experts implement for global brands in leading retailers nationwide. It's practical and actionable to ensure the magic keeps flowing long after the course and workshop ends!

Beyond the basic VM training

At Mon + Co Agency, our training goes beyond simple display techniques. We focus on holistic solutions considering operations, stock flow, financials, and brand identity. We're all about equipping your team with a deep understanding of the retail world so they can tackle any challenge that comes their way.

To start training your team now and make this Black Friday your most successful yet, head to monandcoagency.com.au/retailer-workshops

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