Your customers are always searching for ways to organize their lives and possessions better. Whether simply seeking to decrease clutter or organize items in the "junk" drawer, space is at a premium for most home owners. Use the following tips to make the most of your storage sales: 

 

• Display assembled products. Many customizable storage systems are easy to install, but may not seem that way to a customer when he or she is staring at the box. Dedicate a space to show a sample of that system installed with easy instructions on how customers can design and install it themselves. If you have limited space, use large photos showing installed closet systems from vendors—or from customers who have tried the product already.

• Keep current on style. Instead of white wire racking, you could try displaying brushed steel, chrome or colour, which are popular finishes for shelving units today. Some people might even want cabinets in closets and in the garage, so make sure you can accommodate those requests. To get more ideas for how customers might want to use their storage space, visit department stores and specialty storage retailers.

• Sell the basics. Storage solutions are in every part of the house, including food storage, organizers for the office, modular units for apartments and college  dorms, and baskets for the laundry room. When you offer the latest and most creative designs, your category will stand out from your competitors’.

• Use special orders. Use your storage vendor’s special order capabilities to cut down on inventory, give your customers more options and fetch higher margins. Train all employees on the ordering process so it’s easy and fast for customers. 

The goal of the North American Retail Hardware Association is to help independent hardware and home improvement retailers become better and more profitable merchants through a wide array of educational and training programs, financial management resources, and human resource tools that are all available online. WRLA members get unlimited access to a full range of training and management services when they join NRHA through the WRLA. Visit the WRLA website at www.wrla.org or click here for more information about NRHA.