If you know you need to transform your newsagency and your business data isn’t in good shape, you can still take steps on the shop floor to drive change.
Often, businesses in this situation have a traditional shop layout. The advice below is designed to disrupt this and help you see new possibilities. Remember, change is permanent, so be ready to adapt. Also, nothing is permanent. But, if you do nothing, achieving nothing is a certainty.
First: The Old Newspaper and Magazine Unit
If you have a traditional magazine fixture running down the middle of the shop with newspapers facing the entrance, rip it out. This prime retail space is better suited to higher-margin products.
Not sure what to replace it with. Rip it out anyway. You’ll then see possibilities.
Replace it with basic shelving:
- Put magazines on the back wall.
- Place newspapers on a bottom shelf.
- Remove any newspaper or magazine posters, as they don’t boost sales.
Second: Fill the Freed-Up Space
Use old tables or wooden boxes to create display areas. Showcase product categories and include items you might not usually consider. Don’t use spinners in this space. Be bold and include products you’re unsure about to learn more about your customers. Be ready to change these displays weekly.
Make it warm, comforting, comfortable.
Third: Watch What Happens
The changes might not work immediately. If so, keep experimenting. If you see early success, capitalise on it.
By disrupting your traditional layout, you’ll gain a fresh perspective on your business. This radical change can lead to significant benefits, both for your business and your personal growth.
The moves may be a bust. It’s okay if they are, make more changes and keep doing so until you see a good result.
You may see some early success. If you do, lean into that, do more.
If your business is that traditional that it has an old magazine and newspaper unit running down the middle of the shop, we suspect you will experience good news for that’s what we have seen in every business we have seen try it.
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