With competition in retail at an all-time high and savvy customers seeking value for money, creating an experience that feels personal and memorable is no longer an option. With countless options at their fingertips, customers expect brands to deliver something that stands out. This is where merchandising agencies step in, making a difference to retail strategy. They help brands continuously evolve and innovate. Equipped with technology and tools, they create stories that build meaningful connections between customers and brands. Making a Difference to Retail Strategy
Here’s how merchandising agencies make a real difference to retail strategy, driving brand engagement and sales through innovative approaches:
1. Elevating Visual Merchandising and Customer Experience
A powerful visual merchandising strategy goes beyond aesthetic. It’s about immersing customers into a brand’s world. A successful retail strategy enables customers to engage directly with products to form a deeper emotional connection that’s difficult to achieve online.
At Channel Assist, we design interactive, sensory driven displays that encourage customer to see, touch and feel the quality of a product. Using interactive displays, customers can customise their experiences in ways that resonate personally. For example, with auditory brands, shoppers can select their favourite Spotify tracks to demo a product, creating a memorable experience.
By appealing to multiple senses, through lighting, music, textures and even scent, customers are inspired to delve deeper into product exploration. These immersive experiences leave a lasting impression, driving sales and inspiring customers to return time and again.
2. Data-driven Insights
Data is the backbone of effective merchandising. By gathering real-time analytics, agencies can measure the success of displays and campaigns, providing brands with actionable insights to refine their strategies.
With access to a range of capabilities, experiences and tools, Channel Assist can deliver measurable results, giving brands the ability to make dynamic, more informed decisions to help with ROI. By monitoring performance, we can identify what resonates with customers and highlight areas for improvement.
Our data-driven approach ensures product placement and displays are continually evolving for maximum impact. By blending creativity with data, our brands have the confidence that every campaign is not only visually engaging but also tailored to meet their customers likes, dislikes, and needs.
3. Enabling Omnichannel Experiences
The way we shop has changed over the past few years, with a rise in online shopping and a shift in consumer behaviour following the COVID-19 pandemic. In the UK, 57% of consumers say convenience is the main reason they shop online. But while online shopping is quick and easy, there’s still the pull of visiting a physical store. Being able to see, touch, and try products in person, as well as getting expert advice, before making a purchase is something that can’t be recreated in the same way online.
Today’s consumers move between online and in-store experiences, so brands need to consider the omnichannel experience, making modifications to their retail strategy. For example, providing services like allowing customers to browse in-store and order online, or offering click-and-collect. According to a report by Barclays, click-and-collect accounted for 8.4% of all UK retail spending in 2022, highlighting how much consumers value the flexibility of combining online and in-store experiences.
At Channel Assist, we help brands seamlessly blend online shopping with personal experiences in-store. Our approach ensures a consistent omnichannel experience while maximising the performance of retail investments. For example, our clients (along with supported retailers) have 24/7 access to an online portal providing innovative tracking tools for all their displays. They can analyse any issues and arrange any necessary repairs, reducing display downtime and keeping the customer experience seamless. This helps brands build consumer trust, enhance engagement, and drive sales.
4. Supporting Seasonal Campaigns
There’s nothing quite like having a conversation with talking a real person. Trained with an in-depth knowledge of your brand, Channel Assist’s promoters will actively engage with your customers throughout this busy time of year. Training support is also available, equipping your sales teams so that they can represent the brand confidently and consistently.
Seasonal campaigns are a huge part of retail success, offering brands a chance to connect with customers through timely and relevant messaging. During busy periods like Peak season, standing out requires more than just great offers. It’s about creating a story that resonates and builds a meaningful connection with customers.
At Channel Assist, we bring expertise and innovative solutions to help brands thrive during these high-pressure times. Using our data-driven insights, we tailor retail strategies to meet customer needs, ensuring campaigns are both impactful and relevant. Our advanced tracking tools also help brands stay ahead by managing the increased demand that comes at this busy time.
For great customer engagement, we provide trained brand promoters who actively interact with customers, sharing in-depth product knowledge and creating memorable experiences. We also offer staff training to equip retail teams with the confidence and skills to represent the brand consistently and effectively during these critical periods.
By combining expertise, tech, and on-the-ground support, we help brands make the most of seasonal campaigns. Cutting through the noise and leaving a lasting impression on their customers.
5. Driving Innovation and Sustainability
Retail is constantly evolving, and merchandising agencies are leading the way with innovative technologies and sustainable practices. At Channel Assist, we’re helping transform the retail experience through innovative concepts that engage customers in new and exciting ways:
Supporting TUI – Holidays are all about making memories. What better way of enticing customers into store than a signature fragrance that will make their experience memorable? At Channel Assist, we’re dedicated to transforming the retail experience. Bringing innovative ideas like scent to awaken the senses and form a strong brand connection.
As tech advances and consumer expectations grow, retailers need to embrace experience-led concepts to stay ahead. Working together, we design interactive spaces that inspire in creative and engaging ways.
Shaping the Future of Retail Strategy
At Channel Assist, we offer a 360-degree approach to transforming retail strategy. By combining our expertise with data-driven insights, we help brands build stronger connections, drive growth, and deliver measurable results.
If you’re ready to learn more, get in touch today.
How do Merchandising Agencies Elevate Visual Merchandising and Customer Experience?
At Channel Assist, we design interactive, sensory driven displays that encourage customer to see, touch and feel the quality of a product. Using interactive displays, customers can customise their experiences in ways that resonate personally. For example, with auditory brands, shoppers can select their favourite Spotify tracks to demo a product, creating a memorable experience.
How do Merchandising Agencies Drive Data-driven Insights?
With access to a range of capabilities, experiences and tools, Channel Assist can deliver measurable results, giving brands the ability to make dynamic, more informed decisions to help with ROI. By monitoring performance, we can identify what resonates with customers and highlight areas for improvement.
How do Merchandising Agencies Enable Omnichannel Experiences?
At Channel Assist, we help brands seamlessly blend online shopping with personal experiences in-store. Our approach ensures a consistent omnichannel experience while maximising the performance of retail investments.
How do Merchandising Agencies Support Seasonal Campaigns?
At Channel Assist, we bring expertise and innovative solutions to help brands thrive during these high-pressure times. Using our data-driven insights, we tailor retail strategies to meet customer needs, ensuring campaigns are both impactful and relevant. Our advanced tracking tools also help brands stay ahead by managing the increased demand that comes at this busy time.
