3 Easy Tips to Merchandizing Your Studio Like a PRO

By Manduka’s Elena Qualls

 

 

No matter the size of your yoga studio’s retail space, it can be a great way to offer additional yoga resources to your students while also bringing in extra revenue for your business. But with everything your studio has happening throughout the year, optimizing your retail space can often fall at the bottom of your to-do list. That’s where I come in 

 

After managing retail for 10+ years and visiting hundreds of yoga studios each year as a Manduka sales rep, I’ve learned what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to retail spaces. The best retail spaces have three things in common: Packaging, color and placement.

 

Packaging

Imagine if all cereal boxes at the grocery store were facing sideways with only nutritional facts showing? It would be nearly impossible to find what you were looking for! The same goes for yoga gear: Make sure all packaging is lined up neatly, facing forward and right side up. So much thought and strategy goes into packaging design – use it to your advantage.

 

Color

A retail space jumbled with conflicting colors and prints can make things feel chaotic. Consider buying your retail product in color themes according to your studio branding. If you like having lots of colors, just separate them out. For example, group one section of your space with all blue and green products and another section with all red products. Manduka’s product line is strategically merchandised each season to flow seamlessly together. Basically, we overthink it so you don’t have to.

 

Placement

Products sell best when they’re at eye level, easy to reach and easy to see (so not on high shelves or on the ground). Studios often have yoga mats lying sideways in cubbies – although this is a great storage solution, it doesn’t optimize selling. Products should always be placed in high traffic zones and remerchandised often (aka keep things moving!) Items left lying on the rack for a month can suddenly look fresh and new from a simple, small move.

 

PRO Tip: Hang new product DURING busy class traffic times. Although this may seem chaotic, people love to shop right out of the box, feeling like they’re getting an exclusive first look.

 

The extra few minutes spent keeping your retail space looking good can really make a difference. Teach your employees to help, too. It not only elevates the presentation of your space, but many retail-savvy studio owners boast their retail revenue pays the rent each month(!)

 

Feeling inspired? Check out #mandukastudio + Invite us into your studio by tagging your posts with @MandukaYoga and the hashtag. You too could be featured on our Instagram feed!

 

Elena Qualls is Manduka’s West Coast Sales Representative, and previously ran yoga studio and luxury hotel retail for over 10 years. Manduka provides yoga studio advice and a specialized yoga studio gear program to all of their accounts. Learn more by emailing yogastudiogear@manduka.com, calling 1-877-MANDUKA or visiting manduka.com/yogastudio to set up your online account.