Artisan Essentials 2025

@specialityfood 28 THEARTOF MERCHANDISING The right display can boost your bottom line – and your customers’ experience. Here, three experts share their tips signage as much as the attractiveness of your displays – and once you have settled on the character of your store and brand you are ready to get the ball rolling. If that ‘character’ is local and rustic, Will Gadsby, managing director of Gadsby, has a simple display solution that will help you stand out from the crowd. “Highlighting niche, artisanal or locallymade products in well- organised gift sections helps attract customers seeking unique items. Place these products in rustic wicker display baskets or wooden crates to add to the ‘handmade’ appeal. Baskets and crates are great for reusing and repurposing throughout your store.” W ithmany shoppers visiting fine food independent retailers for an experience – to spend time mooching amongst delicious culinary discoveries while they ponder their purchases – creating an visual feast for them to enjoy is an important part of the retail game. Welcoming your customers into an inspiring space doesn’t have to require huge expenses and unfeasible timescales; there are simple tricks you can employ tomake a tangible difference – and it’s not just a case of making things look ‘pretty’. In fact, smart merchandising brings into play questions of use of space and clear