‘Grab-and-go’ display tips to maximise your sales

‘Grab-and-go’ is more than a catchy phrase—it’s a retail strategy that can significantly boost your sales and customer satisfaction. It centres on creating food and drink displays that allow customers to quickly select and purchase items with minimal fuss. It’s particularly crucial in today’s fast-paced world, where convenience often trumps all other factors in buying decisions.

For retail and food service businesses, effective grab-and-go displays can be a game-changer. They increase impulse purchases, improve customer flow through your store and enhance the overall shopping experience. When done right, grab-and-go displays can turn casual browsers into buyers and one-time customers into regulars. Here’s how you can optimise your commercial display fridges to boost your grab-and-go sales.

Understanding customer behaviour

To create effective grab-and-go displays, you need to understand how customers move through your store. Use this knowledge to position your displays strategically.

Products placed at eye level tend to sell better than those on higher or lower shelves. Reserve this prime real estate for your most profitable or popular items.

Impulse buying is the bread and butter of grab-and-go. Customers are more likely to make unplanned purchases when items are conveniently placed and attractively presented. Think about what might complement a customer’s planned purchase and position these items nearby.

Position your grab-and-go displays near the entrance or checkout areas. These high-traffic zones catch customers when they’re most open to making quick purchases.

Create an intuitive customer journey through your display. Group similar items together and arrange products in a logical sequence. For a food-to-go area, you might start with sandwiches, move on to snacks and end with drinks.

Balance is key. Offer enough variety to cater to different tastes, but don’t overwhelm customers with too many choices. Too many options can lead to decision paralysis and lost sales.

Product placement techniques

Grouping complementary items can increase basket size. Place sandwiches next to crisps, and fruit pots near yoghurts. This can boost sales by reminding customers them of items they might need.

Rotate your stock based on the time of day or season. Breakfast items should be front and centre in the morning, while afternoon snacks can take prominence later in the day. Similarly, adjust your offerings with the seasons—soups and hot drinks in winter, salads and cold beverages in summer.

Use colour and packaging to your advantage. Bright, eye-catching packaging can draw attention to specific products. Arrange items to create a visually pleasing colour palette that entices customers to browse your entire display.

Choosing the right equipment

Multidecks are versatile and provide excellent visibility for a range of products. They’re ideal for displaying packaged sandwiches, drinks and snacks. Their tiered shelving allows you to stock a variety of items while keeping everything visible and accessible.

Display cabinets are perfect for showcasing premium or freshly prepared items. Their clear sides and top provide a 360° view of your products, making them ideal for tempting pastries or gourmet sandwiches.

Glass front fridges offer a clear view of chilled products while maintaining optimal temperatures. They’re great for drinks, dairy products and other items that need constant refrigeration.

Display counters provide flexibility for various product types. They can be refrigerated or ambient and are excellent for creating custom displays that can change with your needs.

Temperature control and food safety

Maintaining the correct temperature is crucial for food safety and product quality. Different products require different temperatures—make sure your equipment can handle these variations.

Visible temperature displays reassure customers about food safety. They also help your staff quickly check that everything is running as it should.

To reduce energy consumption, consider equipment with night blinds or self-closing doors. These features keep the cold in when customers aren’t actively browsing, saving energy without compromising product visibility during busy periods.

Lighting and signage

Proper illumination can make your products look their best. LED lighting is energy-efficient and can be customised to highlight specific areas or products.

Use signage effectively to guide customers and promote special offers. Clear, concise signs can help customers quickly find what they’re looking for and draw attention to high-margin items or new products.

Create an inviting ambience with your lighting choices. Warm lighting can make food look more appetising, while cool lighting might be better for a fresh, clean look in a convenience store setting.

Restocking and maintenance

Keep your display fridges full and fresh. A sparse display can give the impression of low quality or poor selection. Train your staff to restock regularly, especially during busy periods.

Develop a quick cleaning routine for busy times. A clean, tidy display is more appealing and hygienic. Simple actions like wiping down surfaces and straightening products can make a big difference.

Efficient restocking is vital to maintaining an effective grab-and-go area. Train your staff on the optimal layout and the importance of product rotation. A well-trained team can keep your display looking its best with minimal disruption to customers.

Analysing performance and adjusting strategy

Track sales data for different areas of your display fridges. This will help you identify which products are performing well and which might need to be repositioned or replaced.

Observe customer behaviour and ask for feedback. Watch how people interact with your displays and don’t be afraid to ask customers for their thoughts.

Try testing different layouts or product mixes. Make small changes and measure their impact on sales. This approach allows you to continually refine and improve your grab-and-go strategy.

How can Fridgesmart help?

Creating an effective grab-and-go display is both an art and a science. It requires understanding your customers, strategic planning and ongoing refinement. Implementing these tips will help you create grab-and-go displays that catch the eye and boost your sales.

So, if you’re ready to take your grab-and-go display to the next level, we’re here to help. From sleek glass-front fridges to versatile multidecks, we have the perfect solution for your business.

Get in touch today for advice on creating a grab-and-go display that will keep your customers coming back for more.