7. DECORATING THE STORE AND SETTING PRODUCTS ACCORDING TO THE PRINCIPLES OF FOOD SANITATION THE LIST BELOW SHOWS FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN DECORATING THE STORE
1. Light in the store:
Since natural light in the store is usually insufficient and sun light seems to damage the products, the use of electric light in the store, though more expensive, seems appropriate and can attract more customers than gloomy shops. The fluorescent light is commonly used in stores; however, before making a decision on such an issue, it is crucial to determine the number of fluorescence lamps to use and the cost of electricity as well as the usability.
2. Use of color in store design:
Apart from painting the store with bright and brilliant colors, the tones of the product’s package can also be used to decorate the store for a better look. Such products must be well placed in a position visible to customers.
3. Placing a product near the store’s entrance:
A store entrance is commonly a suitable place for exhibiting a promotional product since it is the place where the customers always walk past. Therefore, it is necessary to attractively arrange the products in this area, especially around the cashiers where customers have to wait and queue for payment. Small items that might be purchased by the customers is appropriate.
4. Categorizing the product:
Products that look identical or can be used together should be shelved together; for example, drinking water with carbonated drinks, bread and bakery with snacks.
5. Labeling the product types:
Labeling the product is primarily for the purpose of indicating the type of product in order for it to be found conveniently by the customers. A label might be put up on the wall and in the middle of the top shelf. The product should always be placed in the same spot and this spot should not be changed too often since it will make customers waste their time searching for the product.
6. Labeling a price tag:
Nowadays most customers are interested in product details in terms of product packages, names, instructions, and expiration date, so it is necessary to clearly put on a price tag that is visible to both the customers and the cashiers. For certain types of product that are sold in large quantities, it is possible to put up the price in the form of a cutout or a poster which will be convenient for the customers. For products in the same category but different brands, it might be appropriate to put up price tags on the shelves which will provide product details and help the customer to conveniently compare product prices, although an extra effort is required when there is a change in product price. Furthermore, doing this also makes it easy for the cashier to ask for payment.
Arranging the product attractively influences the customers to buy the products. To help to create the customer’s interest, one should take the following rules into consideration:
1. Customer’s satisfaction
2. Arrange the products in an area designated for selling
3. Place most of the products at eye level
4. Always place products at the front of the shelf
5. Adjust the shelf in accordance with the size of the product placed
6. Use a box to prop the product up for aesthetics
7. Consider neatness. Products vary in terms of style and size; it is appropriate to arrange these products to help the customers compare such products. Identical products should be organized together in the same place and should be arranged both horizontally and vertically.
8. The first product in should be the first one out. The older product should be cleaned, put in the front row, and sold before the newer one.
9. Prevent the loss of products by appropriately arranging the aisles in the store in order to let the customer conveniently reach the products and it is easily noticeable when any goods are missing. Moreover, a product near its expiration date should be separately organized as a promotional product to clear the remaining stock.
MANAGING A WAREHOUSE ACCORDING TO THE PRINCIPLES OF SANITATION
Warehouse management is necessary in order to deliver products to the customers. The main purposes in managing a warehouse are to ensure deliveries are worth the investment, to control the quality of storage, to prevent loss occurring from operations in order to keep the operating cost as low as possible, and to fully utilize the warehouse space.
ATTRIBUTES FOR SALES EXCELLENCE
Good service comes from an individual utilizing skills, experience, and other attributes to satisfy customers and make them return to reuse the service. Certain attributes for sales excellence include:
- Service Mind: service providers must voluntarily put in an effort, devote themselves, and love to provide services.
- Knowledge: service providers must possess the knowledge of the work that they are responsible for and be able to correctly respond to questions relating to the products or services from the customer. Moreover, they should attempt to learn new technology regularly.
- Observation: service providers must be observant. They have to determine what kind of service will satisfy the customer and creatively think of better service that will even further satisfy the customer as well as responding to a customer’s needs.
- Enthusiasm: an act of enthusiasm depicts a willingness to provide service, support, and care which will lead to a good brand image.
- Manner: a manner is action and words that express one’s thoughts and feelings. A service provider should possess a good manner in order to comfort the customer obtaining the service.
- Creativity: A service provider should possess creative thinking and an ability to provide better services without adhering to current experiences.
- Emotional control: In the service profession you will assist various types of customers in terms of social class and educational background, as well as manners. When the customers are dissatisfied, they might blame, abuse, or show a bad temper towards the service provider, so the service provider must control his or her emotions.
- Calmness: A service provider should be calm. Most customers will generally ask for assistance; however, in some cases they might have an urgent problem and the service provider is supposed to analyze the cause of the problem and find the best solution.
- Attitude: since the nature of service work is to provide assistance, a service provider should possess a good attitude towards the work and a willingness to provide service. If, however, service providers have a negative feeling towards their work, they will be unable to provide good service. On the other hand, if they have a positive attitude in providing service, they will place an importance on their work and fully carry out their jobs which leads to a valuable and excellent outcome.
- Responsibility: This refers to a responsibility towards customers. In marketing, sales, and service, there is a concept to have the service provider focus on the customer with responsibility such as “the customer is the most important person” and “the customer is always right”.