Making every display count: Merchandising principles for our busiest period
The festive season is upon us – our busiest trading period, with soaring consumer demand, packed stores, increased volumes, and a bustling supply chain. This of course, means more stock to fit in stores!
Our goal year round is to make our shelves easy to navigate, arranging products based on how our customers make decisions when shopping. Our Product Ranging and Shelf Allocation Principles go into this in more detail, but while seasonal and promotional events ramp up over Summer, you may notice more off-location displays, bigger front gondola ends, and supplier bins in our stores.
Supplier bins and front-ends provide an opportunity for us to place the items we know our customers are looking for while shopping for key events, right in front of them! Additionally, they are faster and easier for our store teams to assemble, keep replenished, and provide a great opportunity to create eye-catching displays.
As an important part of our trade operations, here are some important refreshers to help your product displays align with our guidelines.
Key reminders:
- Remember, the foundation of our merchandising principles is to make the shopping experience easy for our customers.
- Floating display bins should not include a header card. As placement can differ from store to store, the header card space should be left empty so that our team and our customers always have a clear line of sight.
- Only when placed up against a wall or fixed area, and with the approval of our team, can display bins include a header card.
- Displays must be authorised by the Store Manager, Assistant Store Manager, or Department Manager.
- Work with our teams to determine the right location for your display. Ensure that your displays are not blocking the front entry gates or impacting visibility.
- Ask our team to ticket your displays once they are built.
- For your safety, please follow our Back Of House exclusion zone procedures, ask our team if you’re unsure.
- Follow our My Customer 1st Availability (MyC1A) routine process when grabbing stock from our back of house area, ask our team if you need help.
- Plan in advance, and inform stores when you are planning to visit to build displays.
Helpful Guidelines
In-Store Display Guidelines
From display specifications and creative propositions, advice on applying Woolworths promotional assets, rules of engagement, to sustainability considerations – find step-by-step instructions to help you create your next display. If you’re sending your displays via a Woolworths Distribution Centre, make sure to review the Woolworths Group Supply Standards. Plan in advance, and inform stores when you are planning to visit to build displays.
Woolworths Group Supply Standards
Here you will find a copy of the Woolworths Group Supply Standards, a Supplier Readiness Booklet, and a range of supporting documents and resources surrounding inbound delivery requirements in the DC network.
Merchandising & Demo Toolkit
If you’re getting ready to check into a store, make sure you’re prepared to check-in via Site360 upon entry. Visit the Woolworths Group Contractor Safety Information Site for guidelines on checking in and preparing for a Merchandising & Demo visit.
Need merchandising support over the busy period?
To help you maintain seamless execution in-store, including assistance with compliance audits, Point of Sale (POS) activations, stock replenishment, and covering field team gaps, reach out to our Field Services team at [email protected] for a tailored quote based on your requirements.
Offering great value and delivering exceptional customer experiences throughout the festive season and summer is no small feat, and requires a coordinated, focused effort. Thank you for helping us to deliver for our customers, and bring a little good every day.
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