Merchandising and Visual Merchandising
What the domain tests
This domain examines how the right product is presented at the right place, time, quantity, and price. Expect questions on assortment, planograms, shelf placement, window displays, signage, and the difference between merchandising and visual merchandising.
Core rules
- Merchandising is planning and promoting the product mix to drive sales. It includes assortment, shelf space, pricing, and stock presentation.
- Visual merchandising is the physical presentation: windows, fixtures, lighting, colour, signage, and store zoning.
- A planogram is a diagram showing where products go on fixtures. It helps maintain consistency and makes replenishment faster.
- Eye-level and reach-level shelves are high-visibility zones; heavy or bulky items usually go lower for safety.
- Good displays have a focal point, colour blocking, clear price tags, and enough stock to look full without blocking access.
- Store zoning guides customers: entrance or decompression zone, power aisle, destination areas, and billing queue.
Worked example
A store plans a festival display near the entrance. The team places a low table with gift sets, groups colours by family (red and gold together), puts the best-selling set at eye level, adds a clear “₹499” tag, and keeps a replenishment basket behind the table. The reasoning links focal point, colour blocking, price communication, and replenishment. A display that looks attractive but has no price tag or no backup stock fails the sales purpose.
Traps
Do not treat visual merchandising as decoration only. Do not hide price tags or place them inconsistently. Do not block aisles or emergency exits with displays. Do not ignore planogram compliance when the question asks about shelf display.