Gotta Have It
Some products knock your socks off the minute you see them, but how often is this the case? It’s easier to be blown away when you see something in action, hear a story from someone, or at least read an entertaining description.
There’s an ongoing joke in my family because as a kid I loved infomercials. Instead of watching Saturday morning cartoons, my mother would find me entranced by “Billy Mays here with Oxi-Clean” or begging for a FoodSaver (what every 10-year-old needs).
I never ventured into owning my very own vacuum packer, but I think some of the same ideas behind these gimmicks still get me.
The flashy catchphrase “As Seen on TV” has been replaced with the claim “New.” If there’s a video that goes with a product in a store, I will surely be watching it. Case in point was at Sawyer Garden Center in Michigan; I watched a video on color-changing mugs more than once.
The average shopper wants to find something that knocks their socks off, but it’s your job to help them discover it.
Starting on page 8, you will find more than 150 products that just might be that something for your customers. Some of the items have unique origins, others give back to charity with every purchase and still others have tried-and-true performance narratives.
Grab your highlighters, sticky notes or good old pen and paper and pull out your reader service card. It’s buying season: What products are going to set your store apart?
Almost Time
With just one flip of the page, you’ll find out the 2015 Merchandiser of the Year.
From Lawn & Garden Retailer, I want to say thank you to sponsors Dramm and Braun Horticulture for supporting this ever-growing competition.
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