Why Merchandising is Critical for Your Business?
- R. Mishra
- Jul 12, 2024
- 6 min read
If you are struggling with getting more admissions or driving more sales despite running ads, organizing seminars, distributing pamphlets and what not, maybe what is missing is not marketing but branding. The biggest mistake most institutes and businesses commit is not paying too much attention on establishing a strong brand presence. Branding is a long term game which keeps giving its results perennially, even if you stop running ads today (once you have ensured your brand presence).
Every institute/business wants a strategy that has three essential traits a) ensures ripple effect; b) proves to be perennially sustainable and; c) is financially feasible.
Given this, an increasing number of successful institutes are now resorting to what was once an underrated marketing gimmick – Merchandising
What is Merchandising?
As it is rightly said “ Jo Dikhta Hai, Wo Bikta Hai”. Merchandising makes this statement possible. It’s all about showcasing your brand in the most memorable and eye catching way using tools like t-shirts, bags, diaries, etc. But here comes a very important catch. Merchandising for branding is more than just sticking a logo on a blank t-shirt; it’s about understanding the psychology of branding, what will tick and stick.
For example; you must have come across a student wearing parrot green color t-shirt with dark green collars traveling in metro, and you know right away that they are students of Allen Coaching, Even without looking at the logo on their t-shirt. And bingo! they gained your attention (even if you don't like the color of their tee) and the brand was made to stay in your memory. That is how important strategic merchandising is.
This is one small example. There are dozens like this: From Coca Cola’s shape and color of bottle to scented diaries of Paper blanks all have mastered the magic of branding.
Benefits of Merchandising
Word of Mouth: Word of mouth is still considered as one of the best marketing method. But the only problem is people are not as enthusiastic talking about positives as much as they are vocal about negatives. Merchandising is a solution to that. When your students or your staff wears a t-shirt or carry a bag with your organization's branding it creates a positive impression and gets associated with reliability in the viewers mind. And it’s no secret that a positive impression of your brand creates positive growth in sales.
Boost Brand Awareness: The more visible you are, the more people know about you. So it’s always a great idea to go for merch combos. It will ensure you greater visibility.
Builds Customer Loyalty: If you are an organization or business who organizes free branded merch give away for your customers, you have achieved in making them a customer for life. It’s surely a small investment but returns are huge. While branded merch is in itself a great way to promote your business, additionally; since everyone loves freebies, they are more likely to recommend you to their friends. And if need be, fight on your behalf. (like the Apple Users do)
Cost Effective and Efficient: There is no debate that this is the cheapest method to gain traction in comparison to running digital marketing ads or creating a YouTube channel’ and is also more efficient.
Boost Sales: If you have strategically placed your brand amongst the reliable and trustworthy ones, sales are a happy byproduct and super effortless.
Is Merchandising Suitable For You?
The answer is yes. No matter the nature of your business/ institute, whether you are a coaching institute or a corporate organization or an NGO or an event management company, if you plan to grow exponentially while not spending heavily on marketing ads and other stunts, having your name visible and known is the way to go. And thoughtful and strategic merchandising by all means is the best ways to ensure that.
How to Use Merchandising for Your Purpose?
To leverage your brand visibility and growth it is important to master the art of using custom printed merch. For this you need to have a great understanding of branding, color psychology and typography and their impact on a human’s unconscious and then devising various strategies to use these simple products and turning them into a masterpiece to drive attention. Once you find the key to this secret door, the sky is the limit.
How Attitude Collections Can Help You?
At Attitude Collections we are an expert at using these simple items like; tees, bags, diaries, etc and turning them into masterpieces in a way that they capture the ethos of your organization, ensuring that you are established as a strong and reliable brand. With our deep understanding of branding, we guarantee that your brand will always stand out from the crowd.
How to Make us Your Merchandising Partner
Method 1: Designing your own Combo
1. We have 4 catalogues – t-shirt catalogue, bag catalogue, bottle catalogue, diary catalogue. Check out the catalogues and click on the products that you like.
2. Once you click on a product, it will take you to its respective product page where you can choose its color and size, upload your logo and add it to the cart
3. Go back and check out other catalogues; products of which you want to add in your combo. Repeat the process and once you have added all your desired products to your cart, order a sample. (you only need to upload your logo once)
4. Once we receive your order we will show you some variations of your merch combo (after going through your organization) and the combo that you will finalize, we will get it custom printed and dispatch.
5. Once you are fully satisfied with the sample, only then we will fully proceed with the full bulk order. (Please note our MOQ is 100 for each product)
Or
Method 2: Getting help from our Experts
1. If you are new to merch combos. Kindly get in touch with us via whatsapp. Our expert brand strategists will design a combo unique to your brand ethos.
2. Once you approve the combo, you can order a sample before placing a full bulk order or we can also go ahead with the bulk order directly (whatever suits you best).
FAQs
Q: What is merchandising, and how does it help a business?
A: Merchandising involves creating and distributing branded products, such as t-shirts, bags, and diaries, to promote a business. It helps businesses by enhancing brand visibility, creating positive word-of-mouth, building customer loyalty, and providing a cost-effective marketing strategy. By strategically using merchandise, businesses can create lasting impressions and foster a sense of reliability and trust among potential customers.
Q: How can merchandising boost brand awareness?
A: Merchandising boosts brand awareness by making the brand more visible to a larger audience. When customers or employees use branded merchandise in public, it serves as a mobile advertisement, reaching people who might not have been exposed to the brand through traditional advertising methods. This increased visibility helps reinforce brand recognition and recall.
Q: What are the benefits of using branded merchandise for marketing?
A: The benefits of using branded merchandise for marketing include:
Enhanced Brand Recognition: Consistently visible branding reinforces brand recognition.
Customer Loyalty: Giving away branded merchandise can foster customer loyalty.
Cost-Effectiveness: It is generally more cost-effective compared to digital ads.
Positive Word-of-Mouth: Customers using branded products can act as brand ambassadors.
Increased Sales: Effective merchandising can lead to higher sales by building a trustworthy brand image.
Q: How does merchandising help build customer loyalty?
A: Merchandising builds customer loyalty by creating a sense of belonging and appreciation. When customers receive branded merchandise, especially as free giveaways, it makes them feel valued and appreciated. This positive experience can lead to repeat business and recommendations to others, thereby increasing customer retention and loyalty.
Q: How can merchandising help in boosting sales?
A: Merchandising can boost sales by increasing brand visibility and recognition, which builds trust and familiarity with the brand. When customers see the brand frequently and have positive associations with it, they are more likely to choose it over competitors. Additionally, branded merchandise can act as a constant reminder of the brand, keeping it top of mind when purchase decisions are made.
Q: What role does color psychology play in merchandising?
A: Color psychology plays a significant role in merchandising by influencing perceptions and emotions. Different colors evoke different feelings and associations. For example, blue is often associated with trust and reliability, red with excitement and urgency, and green with growth and health. Using colors strategically in merchandising can help convey the desired brand message and create a stronger connection with the audience.
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