May is for Mental Health Awareness

One in five adults in the U.S. experience a mental illness each year. It's time to normalize the conversation around mental health. This month, create an endcap to promote patient mental health and well-being. Include items such as candles, essential oils, journals, face masks, bath bombs, melatonin, and other supplements that promote mental wellbeing. Also, include a sign or two with information for seeking help. Need some inspiration? Check out the resources from SAMHSA, Mental Health America, and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

Mother's Day Greetings

Assuming you are open Saturday and Sunday you only have 8 days to sell your Mother's Day cards. Use all available exterior signage available to remind people when Mother's Day is and you have cards! On your business Facebook page post a 1-minute video promoting your greeting cards. Confirm in writing what your greeting card distributor's policy is for unsold cards—is it credit, cash back, or hold on to the cards for next year? Keep an inventory of the unsold cards where you can easily check the total when a credit does show up. Download our Mother's Day worksheet by clicking here.

Maximum Comfort for your Sole

The month of May is a time when merchandisers will consider revitalizing the foot-care planogram. Foot care is more than insoles, powders, and creams. Without expanding the physical size of the department, look for space in creating room for cross-merchandising opportunities. Contact your therapeutic shoe supplier and request two single shoe counter displays. Place one display on the top shelf of the foot care department. Rotate the 2nd display between prescription and front counters. Add a small sign that reads "Comfort and Care for your Sole" Do not put retails on the sign. In the peg section create room for seamless socks for sensitive feet and those with diabetes as well as compression socks and stockings. If room allows, merchandise single and multi-packs of the socks. If you have a fixture that allows shelving to go higher than 54" you may have room for a shelf specifically for orthotic shoes, slippers, and sandals. Here is an idea for a header sign that can be placed above the foot care section: "Protect Your Feet and Provide Maximum Comfort".

Market your Private Label

Your OTC private label has a more than usual profit margin, and the label cannot be easily found on the web. When it comes to referring or marketing your private label to your customers, also refer to it as your 'Preferred Brand'. In the pain section, chose no less than 5 of your preferred brand items and sign them with either a "compare to" sign or a sign that reads, "Our pharmacist recommends this cost-saving option." Business card size signs work great.

Monthly Retailer Category Tips—Vitamins & Dietary Supplements

Try specific strategies to attract the different demographic groups shopping for vitamins & dietary supplements. Read more...