As a former Marketing Manager who was responsible for retail marketing, I remember the combined sense of thrill and terror that came with a major POP (Point of Purchase) rollout. Thousands of dollars invested in fixtures, custom graphics, and eye-catching displays – it was a massive undertaking. I knew the incredible time, effort, and money poured into these initiatives. Once everything was out in the market, though, it was hard to keep tabs.
Is my shop-in-shop properly merchandised? Were my graphics actually installed, or are they collecting dust in a backroom? Was that new display case built correctly, and does it only feature our brand? Is our fixture still in use, or is it outdated and ignored?
I used to really struggle to stay on top of everything. Leaning on busy sales reps to send photos or confirm installations was time-consuming and an uphill battle.
Now, as a Senior Client Success Manager at ENDVR, I work directly with brands like yours on campaign strategy. I’ve seen firsthand how our platform transforms this chaos into control. The secret? Strategic merchandise checks.
Your In-Store Eyes & Ears
By launching merchandise checks in tandem with your POP rollouts, you can provide clear installation instructions and merchandising standards directly to store staff. You can then request “before” and “after” photos. This gives you a priceless database of visual proof, showcasing exactly what your brand looks like in-store.
Want to keep that momentum going? Launch new merchandise checks monthly. This encourages sales associates to regularly re-merchandise your section or shop-in-shop – and you can reward them for doing so! This ensures your product always looks its absolute best, driving sales and maintaining brand integrity.
Beyond the Visuals: Deep Dive Insights
Imagine getting even more intel directly from floor staff. Through simple survey questions integrated into these checks, sales associates can provide feedback on:
- Product performance and customer reception
- Whether or not they need more in-store support
- If they’re low on inventory and require a re-order (and if they fixed any out-of-stock situations from backstock)
- Where your products are typically located and their visibility
- The effectiveness of your displays and promotional materials
- Challenges in maintaining your brand’s visual presentation
Or, why not make it fun? Challenge sales associates to submit photos of a mannequin featuring your product, a creative window display, or even a clever cross-merchandising effort. It’s a fantastic way to engage them, spark creativity, and gain organic insights into how your brand lives in the real world.
Stop struggling to keep tabs on your in-store presence. Empowering store staff with simple, rewarded tasks can help ensure you get the most from your retail marketing efforts.
Want to see what your brand really looks like in-store? Start using ENDVR to run merchandise checks with photo proof.
