VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO

VGM Retail is Rewired and Here to Educate You!

Published in Retail Expertise on April 06, 2021

Rob

During the recent Focus Conference, hosted by Essentially Women, a division of VGM & Associates, Director of VGM Retail Rob Baumhover presented on product merchandising and coaching your retail staff. Speaking at conferences is only one way that VGM Retail works to educate you! Below is look at a section of Rob’s presentation.  

Prior to VGM, Rob spent more than 20 years in the big box retails stores, and one of the questions he was consistently asked was, “What products should I be carrying in my store?” 

Here are a couple of ways to find the answer to this question: 

  • Use your referral sources. Referral sources talk to your customers on a regular basis. They are the ones sending customers to you! Making them part of the equation also helps you make sure that you are carrying the correct products.  
  • Understand and find out what your customer base will want next. Have your staff ask each customer, “Did you find what you were looking for today? Was there anything you couldn’t find? Do you have any recommendations of items you’d like to see in our stores?”  
  • Have a way for customers to leave their ideas behind. Make customer experience cards available or have a digital option for customers to leave behind their ideas or experience in your store.  
  • See what your competition is up to. Don't go to your competition and pick an exact item and start stocking them. Instead, talk to them about your goals, see what they are carrying, and take note of what items seem to be flying off the shelf versus taking up aisle space. 
  • Join member groups. This is a great way to connect with your customers and your peers. Have your questions ready; What’s not moving? What are you having success with? Who are your vendor partners?  
  • Reach out to your vendor partners. Ask them what products they like best and the feedback they are getting from their customers.  
  • Attend a tradeshow at least once a year. You can browse the exhibitors and look for new products and new vendors.  
  • Read and listen. Pick up a magazine, listen to a podcast, and follow industry leaders on social media to notice the latest trends and products. This is also an effective way to find out what customers think of products and services. 

There is no shortage of ways that can help you determine which products you should be carrying in your store. Try one or two, or all of them, and see what works best for your business. You can watch Rob’s full presentation here. 

Additional educational opportunities from VGM Retail includes: 

  • Virtual Conferences 
  • VGM Retail University 
  • Exclusive content 
  • How–to-Videos 
  • Webinars 
  • Podcasts 

VGM Retail is here to help you be successful. Through educational offerings, consultations, or presentations like the one referenced above, VGM Retail is rewired, and here to educate you! 

Any questions? Please contact Rob Baumhover at rob.baumhover@vgm.com.

TAGS

  1. education
  2. retail
  3. vgm
  4. women's health

Get Connected

Stay up-to-date on the latest resources and news provided by VGM & Associates.

Sign Up for Email

From Our Experts

VGM Retail is Rewired to Help You Rewire Your Business thumbnail VGM Retail is Rewired to Help You Rewire Your Business Listen as we chat with Rob Baumhover, Director of VGM Retail, about how VGM Retail has REWIRED its services available to VGM members to help them adjust to the ever-changing landscape. Episode 38: Back to Basics, 4 Ps for HME Retail Cash Sales thumbnail Episode 38: Back to Basics, 4 Ps for HME Retail Cash Sales Wes Hopper, Field VP Strategic Sales for McKesson Medical Surgical, joins host Brian Thompson to discuss the retail cash sales opportunity in the DMEPOS marketplace. The Return of Competitive Bidding thumbnail The Return of Competitive Bidding The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) appear to be laying the groundwork for another round of the Competitive Bidding Program (CBP). While full implementation will take a couple of years, an official announcement is expected this summer—potentially as early as July. Out With The Old RAC, In With The New thumbnail Out With The Old RAC, In With The New On April 28, 2025, CMS awarded Cotiviti GOV Services LLC, the new RAC Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) Region 3, 4, and 5 contracts. RAC Region 3 includes the following Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) jurisdictions: JJ, JM, and JN. RAC Region 4 includes jurisdictions: JE, JF, and JL. And RAC Region 5 includes jurisdictions: JA, JB, JC, JD, as well as the HH/H MACs: J6, J15, JK, and JM. Iowa Leads the Charge! All Four Representatives Back H.R. 2005—Will Your State Step Up? thumbnail Iowa Leads the Charge! All Four Representatives Back H.R. 2005—Will Your State Step Up? At VGM Group, Inc. we have the pleasure of serving our members and partners throughout the country.  One of the many ways we do this is through legislative advocacy, working with our partners to create a more equitable and effective healthcare system. All our VGM units are dedicated to advancing our partners' businesses, streamlining operations, and working every day to enhance reimbursement for the quality in-home healthcare our industry provides all people. Mike Hamilton Of ADMEA Honored With The Mal Mixon Advocate Award thumbnail Mike Hamilton Of ADMEA Honored With The Mal Mixon Advocate Award Last week, during the 2025 AAHomecare Washington Legislative Conference, Mike Hamilton, Executive Director of ADMEA, was honored with the prestigious Mal Mixon Advocate Award. VGM Senior Leaders Engage in Advocacy at AAHomecare Legislative Conference thumbnail VGM Senior Leaders Engage in Advocacy at AAHomecare Legislative Conference This week, VGM leaders attended the AAHomecare Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., a premier event dedicated to advancing healthcare policy and advocacy. AAHomecare provided attendees with valuable insights, equipping them with key discussion points and strategies for effective meetings with legislators. Champion of Change: Paula Vineyard of Elana Health & Loop Medical Leads Healthcare Advocacy in West Virginia thumbnail Champion of Change: Paula Vineyard of Elana Health & Loop Medical Leads Healthcare Advocacy in West Virginia On Thursday, May 8, Paula Vineyard, owner of Elana Health & Loop Medical, took a pivotal step in healthcare advocacy by hosting a meeting with Tyler Ohrn, Field Representative for Congresswoman Carol Miller of West Virginia's First District. The hour-long discussion centered on the pressing need for congressional support of H.R. 2005.

Be Part of Something Bigger

Become a Member