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 [email protected]

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. Arkansas Introduces a Bill to Exempt Breast Pump Supplies From Sales Taxes thumbnail Arkansas Introduces a Bill to Exempt Breast Pump Supplies From Sales Taxes In Arkansas, mothers who pump breast milk are required to pay sales tax when they buy their equipment. Breast pumps are basic necessities for breastfeeding mothers, and taxing pumps limits access to breastfeeding by making the product more expensive. Changes to the New Oxygen Equipment Medical Policy thumbnail Changes to the New Oxygen Equipment Medical Policy For those providers who supply home oxygen equipment, it's vital to be familiar with the changes that are being implemented Jan. 1, 2023. California is Moving Forward with Bill to Remove Tax on Breast Pump Equipment thumbnail California is Moving Forward with Bill to Remove Tax on Breast Pump Equipment In California, mothers who pump breast milk are required to pay sales tax when they buy their equipment. Meanwhile, infant formula is generally exempted from taxation. Breast pumps are basic necessities for breastfeeding mothers, and taxing pumps limits access to breastfeeding by making the product more expensive. Time is Almost up to Send in Comments over Medicare Coverage of Seat Elevation Systems thumbnail Time is Almost up to Send in Comments over Medicare Coverage of Seat Elevation Systems The comment period is set to go for ONE MORE WEEK! All comments must be in by the end of the day Friday, March 17. CMS Opens Comment Period for Power Seat Elevation Coverage thumbnail CMS Opens Comment Period for Power Seat Elevation Coverage Last week, CMS announced the opening of a comment period relating to the request for Medicare coverage of power seat elevation systems used with complex power wheelchairs. Ronda Vlog: Additional Information Regarding the New Oxygen Policy thumbnail Ronda Vlog: Additional Information Regarding the New Oxygen Policy Listen below Ronda Buhrmester, Sr. Director of Payer Relations and Reimbursement talks through questions and additional information, and updates on the new oxygen policy.

Be Part of Something Bigger

Become a Member