How many times have you started building a new presentation
of merchandise and thought, “I need a new idea,” as a matter of fact the better
you’ve done it in the past the more it will be remembered and the staler the repeat.
Perhaps you are putting out a new category of goods or want to create a new
theme even the best merchandisers will tell you that they are constantly
looking for new concepts to beg, borrow and steal. They may give their personal
touch and tweak according to their space and props but everyone needs a
resource for new ideas. Finally there is such a place and it is easy to access,
put together by golf experts who understand the needs of the industry and
covers a multitude of subjects – think of it as the Pinterest of golf
merchandising.
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PGAmagazine.com has developed and launched a much needed
tool and resource that everyone in the industry will benefit from and can
contribute to – it is completely interactive. The Visual Merchandising Center
is a link on the home page that allows you to choose by category (Men’s
Apparel, Ladies Apparel, Headwear, Footwear, Inspiration, Props/Fixtures, etc.)
and browse “the best of the best” imagery on merchandising and ideas in that
category. It has obviously been built for PGA Professionals, AGM members, shop
buyers and the golf retailing community with contributions and sponsorship from
the vendors catering to our industry. You can upload your own imagery which
will be credited to you and your facility and describe what the theme is or
what you were attempting to accomplish and you can comment on the images that
are put up by others.
There are actually seventeen categories and an archive of
thousands of photos which are updated daily. Manufacturers will also be invited
to submit education and share “White Papers” on whatever topics they choose to
share their expertise on – e.g. “How to Maximize Floor Space For Footwear
Displays,” as well as submit photos of great fixtures and displays. In the interest of full disclosure, I work closely with PGA Magazine on a number of projects and was asked to provide my comments and suggegtions during the development process of the Visual Merchandising Center. Therefore, while I am biased, I am also genuinely very impressed with this new tool for golf shop merchandisers.
"I love it. I usually cut out photos from the magazine when I see displays that I like, so this is even better for me. Thanks for sharing."
- Jeff Kidde, PGA Head Professional at Aronimink, 2011 National Merchandiser for Private Facilities
The first impression that is made when a member, guest or customer
walks into your shop decides a lot about their experience and how it will be
remembered and discussed. Good merchandisers will appreciate this new tool
immensely and come back often. This has been needed in the industry for some
time and I congratulate the PGA Magazine team on taking the time, having the
vision and bringing the technology to bear on the project.
Everyone agrees that shops need to be remerchandised often
as this creates new perspectives and thus sales. This is not always easy and
often requires inspiration. One of the great things about the golf industry
that I have come to realize over the years is the willingness of everyone to
help the other. This is the perfect place to gather and share retail and
merchandising images and help and be helped. The link to the page which you
will want to save as a favorite is http://pgamagazine.com/vmc/.
