Tips for better merchandising of hardware/housewares

Work out a deal with one of vour local radio stations to answer Iisieners' questions on an 'oopen line'o radio show. [t makes your firm the place that has the answers and is an excellent form offree advertising. If you can't take the timeo assign your sharpest, most knowledgeable staffer.

Super graphics on outside and inside walls of saw, hamrners, bowls and spoons get clcross the message that you are proaiding hardwares and housewares to the public.It may seern like stressing the obaious to you, but it helps penetrate the public's low anaareness leael.

Electric housewares are expected to double in sales volume during the 70s. Continued increases in wase and salary levels across the entiie population as well as rising expectations and aspirations make electric housewares a potential goldmine.

If you haae a regular mailing use hardwares and housewores, "ithe, together or singly, as the special featured "star" of the mailing. Treat it the way magazines do with Special Issues, such as the one you ari reading right now.

Why not take a number of housewares items and hang them on the wall behind a service or checkout counter where the customer pauses for a short period of time. Be sure and frame them so they have a fine gallery look. Consider mounting the backing with red or black velvet or similar material.

Impulse items should always be kept on or near checkout or seraice counters so customers will be exposed to these items. This can be especially effectiue with new or improued housewares iterns.

Housewares sales can often be hypoed by hiring a woman sales clerk. Some women are just reluctant to approach men for advice on housewares as they feel (and sometimes rightly so) that the men know less about it than they do. Be careful in hiring as a young woman in a glazeout or a grumpy old one can do more harm than good.

_ Promote a Family Assortment of hardutare and housewares. Maybe a soldering kit for junior, a beginners, bgklng set for sis, a power saw for dad and a blender for morn. piice them indiuidually, but also offer a discount when sold as a set. Ifs a longshot, but who knows?

The mysteries of hardwares and housewares can be explored in a series of classes. seminars and the like. It will also drive home the point you are the best place in your trade area to buy these products. Contact suppliers for teaching experts. Is there anyone on your staff that has teaching skills adequate to handle a class of eager d-i-yers?

A laundry center can be rnad,e to workin no m.ore room than the end of a gondola. Just gang together an ironing board, clothes racks, pins, spray starch and the other goodies and top with a good. large sign explaining what it is.

Bath items are a particularly strong selling housewares item in many areas of the West. Use perf board to hang the items above the inventory stored in the manufacturers' boxes directly below each displayed item. Make sure signs for bath item merchandise have enough of a feminine touch to appeal to the ladies, who buy most of these items.