While the food industry is teeming with new enterprises and innovations, growth rates across different sectors are subject to various factors, making it difficult to navigate the fluctuations.
A breakdown of the current projections shows a forecasted increase of 15.1% across the board this year, largely due to higher prices rather than sales volume. In real terms, this boils down to an estimated decline in trade of around 2%.
Nevertheless, as the wider market bears the brunt of a reduction in consumer spending, food-to-go will continue to thrive off the back of its 14% increase in 2024.
With rising costs, inflation and fierce competition, both manufacturers and retailers are feeling the pressure of lower profit margins, making the need for sound marketing strategies and standout retail displays all the more relevant.
A multi-faceted approach that shows a thorough understanding of brand building, consumer behaviour, latest trends and in-store experiences should be a key focus, with the ability to adapt whenever necessary a back-pocket skill.
As long-time experts in the retail display and visual merchandising arena, here are some tips that will help you capitalise on your seasonal campaigns.
Why strategically designed retail display layouts draw in the crowds
If you’re wondering about the effectiveness of visual merchandising, we want to assure you that spatial planning has a well-documented (and major) influence on footfall, browsing time, and spending. Here’s why it works:
It panders to human psychology
Top-level retail designers are trained to curate sensory narratives that align with consumer behaviour, tapping into their hardwired response to order, symmetry, colour and flow. In turn, this reduces cognitive overload, offers clarity and helps them focus on (and respond to) what’s in front of them.
This is especially powerful in the food arena, where impulse shopping is driven by presentation, freshness and quality.
It encourages exploration
When you break away from the monotony of endless aisles, get strategic, and create a different proposition, your patrons will feel compelled to stop, engage, sample and explore.
It will also provide an immediate opportunity to cross sell, guiding their eye (using visual stimuli) towards relevant products that might also be of interest.
It cements brand identity
Learn to tell a story through your displays and you’ll be well on your way to legendising the ethos, intent and personality of your brand. When you resonate with shoppers, whether they’re regulars or not, conversions are inevitable.
It instils a sense of value
Whether its indulgent layers of baked goods beautifully placed in upmarket wicker baskets or elegantly packaged wines paired with a deli selection, the proper lighting, furniture, colour choices, countertop display solutions and accessories are contributing factors to a premium feel.
It’s trending on social media
In a world where experiences govern our Instagram, TikTok and X feeds, it goes without saying that immersive in-store presentations are the ideal opportunity to amplify your advertising, and it’s generally cost-free.
User-generated content (UGC) is all about earning your media space, which comes down to how fabulous your products look on shop floor.
The six pillars of effective space planning in a food and drinks retail environment
Now that you know the whys, it’s time to take an in-depth dive into how to get your products to rake in the sales. These six factors form the foundation of a successful merchandising campaign.
1. Make an outstanding first impression
Invest in gorgeous décor and design a flow that guides your consumers rather than overwhelms them. Remember that your shop is the first contact they have with your products, so from the time they set foot in the door to their final exit (complete with laden trolley), every step of their journey should be seamlessly planned.
Some food for thought: make finding the regular stuff easy, and your patrons might be encouraged to browse more.
You can do this effectively by:
Leaving room for hero displays
Make sure your walkways include focal points in spaces where shoppers naturally pause. For example, if you put your bestsellers at the end of each aisle, they’ll be in full view as customers turn the corner from either side.
Zoning different product categories
You’ll make the journey easier if you group together specific products, themes or categories. Think about it, a ‘ready-made meal’ or ‘BBQ essentials’ section will target the right audience and keep them engaged. Which certainly beats losing them because everything’s jumbled together and they simply can’t find what they’re looking for.
Familiarising yourself with the principles of visual rhythm
This refers to specific techniques that guide your viewer’s eye through a store space, and involves using repetition, alternation and a series of focal points.
To do this well, work with colour, height variations and patterns – you’ll be amazed at how much more engaging your products will seem.
2. Change your core layout quarterly
‘Display fatigue’ isn’t a myth! In fact, it’s a surefire way to put people off visiting your shop. To avoid it, we suggest you shake things up every quarter in conjunction with a dynamic marketing plan.
Widely practiced, seasonal merchandising shows an understanding of your audience, resulting in recognition and a loyal following. Here are some easy tips:
- Make your spring and summer displays light and airy and your autumn and winter ones cosy and immersive.
- Use appropriate colour palettes by changing your shelving back panels or your countertop solutions and accessories.
- Create pop-up zones and promote your best buys.
All of the above will keep your store relevant and inviting, year round.
3. Harness the power of display stands
Probably one of the most underestimated visual merchandising tools out there, these have the potential to completely change your game. Why? Because, when properly managed, they are prime real estate for encouraging unplanned purchases, and they optimise space. It’s this simple:
- ‘Eye level is buy level’, so use cake stands, platters, boards and risers to make your key sellers unmissable.
- Add dimension by altering your elevations. Start tall and layer downwards, giving each product its share of the spotlight.
- Choose the right aesthetic for your brand. Wooden stands emulate warmth, glass looks premium, and metal contributes to an industrial feel.
- Find a narrative. If you’re pushing summer picnic items, then display cheeses, deli products, breads, good wines, boards and platters around a wicker hamper.
- Avoid cognitive overload by embracing minimalism. Three to five products are all you need, especially if your countertop is in a busy section of your shop.
- Stay organised – your landscape should be clean, uncluttered, and refreshed on a regular basis.
4. Get trending
Food and drinks trends come and go, making it important to keep your finger on the pulse and supply whatever’s in demand. In 2025, the focus is on:
- Health – oust the sugar in favour of protein bars – it’s all about cracking down on junk food and offering something wholesome.
- Convenience – consumers are busy, so supply things like ready-made meals, smoothies and pre-cut vegetables.
- Sustainability – from packaging, totes and display solutions to how you source your products, the environment is an essential concern.
5. Cross sell
Great merchandising requires smart thinking, and curating your offerings in purposeful groups will encourage consumers to shop for a fuller experience.
Show off a selection of teas, pastries, biscuits, a cake stand, plates, a teapot, cups and a sugar bowl and you’ll have ‘usage context’ that will be used as a cue to inspire those unintentional buys.
This can be further enhanced by clear signage and shop assistants who know their oats.
6. Go modular
Retail landscapes are ever-changing, so be prepared by investing in flexible furniture.
Our BRIX® modular system can accommodate shifting landscapes and allows you to diversify whenever you need to. Easy to assemble and requiring no tools, you’ll be able to go with the flow and create everything from pop-up stands to a mainstream shop design.
Measure your success
Engage with customers, gather feedback, keep tabs on sales, and adjust your strategy as you go. There’s no point in sticking to something that doesn’t work, especially if you want a stellar return on investment (ROI).
Simple ways to do this include:
- Tracking uplift on the products featured in your display zones (especially during seasonal shifts).
- Performing A/B tests on layout options. It’s always good to know whether your cake stand sells more doughnuts at the bakery counter or next to your till.
- Ask your staff to keep an eye on consumers – are they browsing, ignoring your displays or reaching out for their prime pick?
Get shelf indulgent with our standout retail and countertop display solutions
As experts in this industry, we offer a partnership that will put your products on the map. Here’s what you can expect:
- Key account managers who will get to know the ins and outs of your business.
- A wide range of quality, sustainable furniture and display products.
- Personalisation options done within ten working days.
- Free assistance from our outstanding design team.
- Next-day delivery of all unbranded items (Ts and Cs apply).
Call us today and let’s make sure your seasonal merchandising always takes the cake!
