Don’t Overthink Merchandising Behind Refrigerator Doors
Does merchandising behind closed doors stress you out? Margie Proctor, Hillphoenix marketing & design specialist, offers some tips for merchandising glass-front cases.
Tips for Landscaping and Merchandising a Fresh Food Island
“Fresh” is at the forefront of the food industry, and food retailers are constantly seeking new ways to meet the fresh expectations of shoppers. Hillphoenix’s new Island 2 Innovate (i2i) modular island system gives retailers a unique opportunity to create a fresh Destination Center that combines hot, cold, wet and dry offerings into a one-stop fresh destination. Any department can be transformed into a Destination Center with i2i’s modular, multi-case design. i2i’s wide selection of end cap displays and center inline cases allow grocery retailers to create compelling merchandising experiences featuring an endless combination of refrigerated, heated, wet and/or dry [...]
i2i — Raising the Bar on Fresh in Small Format Stores
Small format grocery stores — and convenience stores, in particular — are taking fresh foods to a whole new level. Once a place to gas up the car and grab a soda and bag of chips, convenience stores are becoming part of the “What’s for dinner?” solution by offering fresh and healthy grab-and-go meals. And small format grocers appeal to shoppers with a middle ground alternative to traditional supermarkets and convenience stores. One thing all small format stores have in common is a desire to meet shoppers fresh and fast expectations without sacrificing quality, food integrity and profit — all within [...]
Woo Early Morning Shoppers with Front-of-Store Breakfast Stations
No doubt about it, breakfast presents a big opportunity for retailers. Research shows that Americans increasingly consider breakfast to be an essential meal. However, 53% of consumers often skip breakfast, according to digital pollster, Instantly. The main reason is familiar: Consumers just don’t have time to prepare a meal, especially as they’re running out the door for work or school. That’s where the opportunity lies for supermarkets. Serving up convenient, nutritious, portable breakfast foods can meet shoppers’ demand and drive sales at a typically slow part of the day. The key is merchandising for shopper convenience. Here are a few [...]
Equip Destination Centers for Versatility
By Margie Proctor Hillphoenix Marketing & Design Specialist Equipment for preparing and displaying foods should be able to accomplish a variety of goals. Along with supporting the menu, the right equipment plays a role in creating product theater. From ordinary to interactive Picture the typical produce department with cases along the perimeter and rows of islands out on the floor. Shoppers often navigate the space on autopilot, engaging momentarily to check items for freshness and integrity. Compare that familiar scene with this: staff chopping and slicing fresh fruits and vegetables at a refrigerated kiosk island in the center of the [...]
Follow Food Trends to Drive Sales
Following food trends isn’t just about the groceries you sell. It’s also about providing inspiration for shoppers, understanding their needs, and increasing access to the food experiences they crave. Ignoring trends, or simply neglecting to integrate them effectively into your merchandising, risks loss of sales and not capturing shopper loyalty.” Mark DiDomenico of Datassential, Inc. will be sharing the latest food trends at Supermarket Sense, September 20-21, 2017. From the healthy craze to what’s new or taboo, you won’t want to miss how trends can influence your store and your customers. The health and wellness industry continues its climb into [...]
Produce for the Win!
Pricing may get shoppers in the door, but the entire produce experience is what makes the sale. As the perimeter grows fresher and greener, understanding your customers’ wants and needs is paramount to staying the top pick for where they spend their dollars. Because produce consumption often is tied to health and wellness, shoppers are recognizing they need to add more vegetables across meals each day. Targeting the heart-healthy and waistline-friendly produce speaks to the consciousness of your customers. Wellness-focused signage and samples encourage your shoppers to try new varieties, increasing awareness and demand. Time-pinched customers are seeking easy-to-access fruit [...]
Shine the Right Light on Your Offerings to Stand Out in the Marketplace
It should come as no surprise that LED lighting continues to rise in popularity to save cost and improve efficiency. An overlooked detail is that improper use can actually reduce sales, too. By using incorrect color temperatures and not protecting product integrity, customer satisfaction is at risk. Let’s look at color. Opting to use warm or cool tones appropriately around your produce, meats, and even packaged frozen products makes all the difference in the world to how your shoppers view your offerings. Vibrant colors naturally exist in fresh fruits and vegetables. If your LEDs aren’t dialed in to bring out [...]
Combine food art, science, & trends to drive fresh ideas
As the supermarket industry continues to expand and evolve, it’s become even more essential to anticipate trends and shoppers’ needs. This is precisely why Hillphoenix is part of bringing together in-house experts and industry professionals for another year of Supermarket Sense. Join us September 20-21, 2017 in Conyers, GA to boost your insights into trends, strategies, and goals. Across two days, you’ll be inspired to create a crave-worthy store with sensory experiences for your shoppers. And let’s not forget the importance of lighting, strategic packaging, and the upcoming trends with flavors. Here are just a few topics that should catch [...]
Best Practices for Dairy Case Merchandising
It all begins at the farm. Quality dairy products come from happy, healthy animals and plant-based products whose milk has been safely processed to ensure a flavorful, fresh consumer experience. However, we can’t put all the responsibility on the farm or the processor. To keep shoppers coming back week after week for fresh, flavorful dairy products, follow these display case best practices. Temperature - From the moment a dairy product hits the grocery store dock, it is critical to keep the product cold. As soon as dairy products are removed from the walk-in cooler they should be put into a refrigerated [...]