The most valuable break points

When designing product placement and store layout plans, one of the things to consider very carefully in your plan is the location and use of break points. These are points in your store where people pause for various reasons, and especially while waiting for some kind of service.

The sad reality is that especially in small companies I have noticed that these points are often completely underused. And since there are simply so many ways to make use of these spaces efficiently, this could become one of the best production areas in your store.

To highlight what I mean, these include checkout stations, service counters of any kind, and anywhere else in your store where people have to stand and wait for something, for one reason or another.

The important points to note here are that:

1. These are natural break points, and people often spend a few minutes at these points just waiting. This happens without forcing it too much, and people expect to expect it.

2. This offers an immense opportunity to promote and sell impulse itemsas well as highlighting some really nice ones”i want products“For future purchases.

The point is that people are simply standing (or sitting) in your store, in a space that you control, which offers one of the best opportunities to advertise and sell products. If you don’t use it, you are losing a lot. After all, you can easily have their full attention.

Here are some of the key points to keep in mind when planning your break points:

1. Make sure to develop them so that you find the right one balance between speed and pause to ensure minimum fuss and maximum sales reward. (Think about how long you’re willing to wait in line, especially with a few distractions to keep you busy…)

2. Your break point layout could be:

• grazing lines (as in large airports) with products displayed along the lines. This will give you plenty of space (and face time with the customer) for you to have impulse items on display. For example, if done right, you can easily have your entire customer base go through all the impulse items in your store while they wait for the cashier. I’ve seen it used with some success with fast lane checkout stations, for example.
• Simple multiline structures, like most large retail stores, has some efficiency in that you can still display a few impulse items. One thing I have noticed is that the store side of most of these queues is completely underutilized. People are standing in queues. They turn and look around, and not having the right mix of products behind them is just wasteful.
• vertical space it is often wasted. On a few small occasions I have seen stores make use of TV advertising at break points. Run some advertising for people to see. It works and will earn you income for sure.

3. more is better. Realizing that there is an obvious cost to you in creating pause points, having more will increase sales. And if you use them correctly, find the right balance, and have the right mix of products, they will sell far more than the cost of maintaining and staffing these outlets.

Using the old adage of “Don’t waste, don’t want“I suggest you ignore these wonderful opportunities only if you have enough money and really don’t want more…

I wish you all the best with your endeavors and invite you to share your stories and comments here.

Health!