The Subaru Gear Merchandising Guide
Welcome to Subaru Gear
THE OFFICIAL MERCHANDISER OF SUBARU BRANDED GEAR
Subaru Gear is dedicated to providing a wide range of products and services that bring the Subaru brand to life. Recognizing that Subaru is more than a car company, Subaru Gear shares the same commitment to the Subaru Love Promise, aligning our efforts wherever possible.
This guide was developed to help Retailers harness the potential of their Gear Store, offering valuable tips and merchandising suggestions specifically tailored to Subaru Gear products. Additionally, we have thoughtfully included a calendar featuring handy reminders to support and guide you throughout the year.
We hope to inspire you to create Love Promise moments through thoughtful connections using Subaru Gear.
GEAR TIP
THE RULE OF THREE
Shoppers are attracted to and are more likely to stop and browse when they see balanced displays. An easy way to achieve that is by grouping products in threes.
Customer Experience
While individual products can be attractive on their own, pairing the right products together can make a big difference.
Enhancing Customer Experience
Curating product bundles or suggesting complementary items can create a seamless and positive shopping journey for your customers. For example, a Subaru loyalist might want a t-shirt with a graphic of their favorite car or a new Owner wants to show off their excitement with a new travel mug when they hit the road for adventures.
Increasing Sales and Revenue
Strategic product pairing has a direct impact on sales and revenue. Customers are more likely to purchase well-matched product combinations. A customer who is interested in an Outback Wilderness may want the matching keychain, cap, or decal, resulting in more sales for your business.
Building Brand Loyalty
Businesses that curate thoughtful and relevant product combinations demonstrate an understanding of their customers’ needs and preferences. By consistently delivering value through well-paired products, your store will be recognized as a reliable source of comprehensive solutions, encouraging repeat purchases and long-term customer loyalty.
GEAR TIP
DISPLAY YOUR MERCHANDISE ATTRACTIVELY
For example, fill bags with packing material to show off their carrying capacity and use mannequins for apparel.
Gear Store Space
Plan your layout based on seasonality or collections.
Use appropriate hooks and accessories, make sure all your hangers match and hardware is a similar style & color.
Place your high-demand or featured products at eye level to get their attention.
Avoid overcrowding to prevent visual clutter.
Rotate and refresh products to keep your wall fresh and exciting to encourage customers to return more frequently.
Choose the right fixtures for your Gear Store.
Create a great shopping environment and encourage customer engagement with mannequins, table displays, or signage.
Provide a good variety of products .
Appeal to different types of customer interests, such as different outdoor activities or motorsports.
Make sure your price tags or pricing is visible.
Clear pricing sets up expectations when customers are deciding on purchases.
Select the right lighting.
Consider spotlights or adjustable lighting fixtures to draw attention to specific items or areas of your slatwall display such as high interest/traffic areas.
Help your customers know where to go.
Strategically place visual cues throughout your store so they know you offer Subaru-branded merchandise.
Create a visual story.
If you have an item that serves a purpose, show examples of how it can be used to inspire customers to imagine themselves using the merchandise.
GEAR STORE Maintenance Calendar
Time flies when you’re busy. Effortlessly stay on top of your Gear Store maintenance with these easy checklists, enhancing your store’s brand image and your customers’ experience.
DAILY UPKEEP
Straighten/organize shelves and racks
Replenish any low stock items
Make sure hangers are all facing the same way
Re-fold any apparel
WEEKLY UPKEEP
Check signage to make sure everything is in its correct location and next to relevant products
Make sure all items are priced and the tags are clearly visible|
Rotate seasonal merchandise to more eye-catching locations
Did you know, one bag generates 1,940 impressions over the course of its lifetime! Custom totes make great giveaways and let you showcase your store logo! To order your custom bags, contact Valerie.Rovak@Staples.com.
GEAR TIP
IMPULSE BUYS
One of the most important areas around your checkout for final upsells. Items in this area should all be items that encourage spur-ofthe-moment purchases.
GEAR UP FOR THE YEAR
Monthly Checklist
JANUARY
Post-holiday clean
Take a look at leftover holiday stock
Make a plan e.g. post-holiday sale, save for next year, etc.
FEBRUARY
Start moving out winter-specific merchandise (knit caps, fleeces, etc.)
Consider a Loves the Earth inventory restock
MARCH
Spring cleaning
Conduct an inventory of all your Gear Store merchandise
APRIL
Move eco & warmer weather merchandise (t-shirts, caps, etc.) to more eye-catching locations
Order summer merchandise MAY
Take an inventory of your Pride Collection products for June, place a restock order if needed
JUNE
Summer cleaning
Stock Pride Collection and summer & outdoor products in eye-catching spots
JULY
Conduct an inventory of your Gear Store
See if your store is planning any end of summer events that you can support
AUGUST
Fall cleaning
Start thinking about a Loves Pets restock
Consider marking down summer items to make room for new fall merchandise.
SEPTEMBER
Start moving out warmer weather products
Put out fall/colder weather Gear
Start thinking about Share the Love
OCTOBER
Put out pet products
See what’s new at Subaru Gear
Order Winter & Holiday Merchandise
NOVEMBER
Winter cleaning
Put out winter and holiday products
Prepare for Black Friday traffic
DECEMBER
Consider a Gear Store giveaway to take advantage of holiday traffic.
Custom Order
Craft memorable Owner experiences through specialized Gear that can only be found at your store.
• Create something indigenous to your area (e.g. skyline for your city, palm trees for Florida)
• Create a collector’s item that can only be found at your store
• Consider an item where a portion of the proceeds goes to your hometown charity
Ongoing Gifting Programs
Do you already have a gift with purchase program or you are looking to welcome new Owners to the Subaru Family? Let us create a customized program just for you with pre-designed gifts! Choose from 2 delivery options: drop shipped directly to Owners with a card or we can ship them to your store, packaged and ready to give new Owners as you hand them their keys.
Perfectly Packaged
Owners want to leave in a clean vehicle. It boosts their mood and makes them feel good about their purchase. Similarly, consider how Gear merchandise is leaving your store.
You only have one chance to make a great first impression and gift wrapping and outer appearances have a lot to do with that. Creating the joy of anticipation in the recipient with the surprise of a gift not only creates a connection, but a lasting memory.
GEAR TIP
WRAPPING
Consider shopping bags, ribbon, giftwrap, and tissue with your store logo.
Subaru Gear
For instock and drop ship gear, scan this QR code or visit subarucorpgear.com.
Custom Gear
For custom gear or to view limited time offers, scan this QR code or visit subarucorpgear.com/customorder.
Gear Hub
Your all-in-one resource for Subaru gear. Scan the QR code or visit subarugearhub.com.
Brandon from Subaru of Bend