How do we get the same old stock to look different? We asked Sharron Binns, owner of Petronella’s Gallery and Bookstore, for some tips on keeping the shop floor looking fresh.
Ever sat behind reception and looked out at the shop floor, tired of seeing the same books lined up on the shelves? The new release table always has a steady stream of new titles displayed, and we love to see books get their day in the sun. “Stack ‘em high, see them fly.” Isn’t that what they say? But what happens when a stack of six or ten becomes one? That lonely book is shelved alphabetically, never to see the light of day until months later when a customer might finally discover it’s the exact book they were looking for. So how do we get the same old stock to look different? Here’s some tips on how to keep your store looking fresh by rotating inventory regularly.
Since taking over the bookshop eight months ago, I’ve moved stock around at least three times. Each time, our team have got smarter in transferring large volumes of books from one floor or area to the next. When unloading shelves, we make sure the books come out the same order they go in when they get to their new home. Our display crates and boxes are perfect for that.
Due to limited space, our shelving extends from floor to ceiling, resulting in some books not being at eye level. Books positioned below chest height have their spines pushed out to the front of the shelf. Egg cartons are used in some places at the back to keep the spines straight and prevent books from tipping backward. We also use the space at the back to store excess stock, only displaying two or three books of any one kind.
And who says that books must be displayed vertically? If you have a comprehensive collection of backlist titles from a single author, stacking them horizontally can efficiently utilise limited space while simultaneously creating an impactful display for your customers.
And that one-off title that was a runaway success six months ago but just won’t move off the shelf now is the perfect book to put in as a ‘blind date’. We introduced these from day one of new ownership, and they have proven hugely successful to not only move unsold stock but also offer customers a little piece of mystery.
Recently we made a major change by moving all our children’s books and games upstairs to a custom space, now proudly named ‘Sprout’s Space’. The back story to this is that Sprout is a character that was created as part of a community ‘Paint the Town Green’ project about 7 years ago. It was a big success and subsequently the local primary school has ‘adopted’ Sprout as a character that teaches sustainability, health and wellbeing and environmental issues. Sprout is embedded in the school curriculum and now he has a place in the bookshop.
When customers visit your shop, whether that be online or bricks and mortar, you want them to be tempted to buy something. So if they’re a regular customer, moving your stock around means they see different things than they did the last time they came, and when you look out from behind reception desk, the shop looks same, same but different!
So change really is as good as a holiday!
Petronella’s Gallery and Bookstore
Lake Tekapo