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There’s nothing quite like discovering a store—whether it be online or a physical location—that feels tailor-made for you. You know, that “take all my money,” almost magical feeling of finding a shop that you could spend hours browsing.
That feeling? That’s the power of curation at work.
Hand-picked, curated goods help build a connection with your customers. By carefully choosing items you know they’ll love, you’re essentially saying to your customers, “This is for you.” Also, by curating your store, you make it easier for your customers to discover new products, which positions you as a go-to store for both the familiar and the fresh.
However, the curation process can be a little overwhelming at first. After all, you have a unique vision, but how can you find the products that align just right with that vision? Where does one start?
There’s a lot you can do to ensure you’re curating a store your customers will fall head over heels for, and we’ll help to do just that. Let’s get started!
Get inspired
How can you be sure the items you select will resonate with your customers? Start with the basics.
Your customers’ shopping behavior will tell you everything you need to know about their tastes, interests, and price point. Go through your current inventory and take note of your best selling items, what products have been on the shelves for what seems like ages, and everything in between. Pay attention to any trends or patterns you notice as you audit your catalog. Based on what you learn about your customers, you can better determine what products will pique their interest.
In addition to what’s happening in your store, take a look at what’s popular in your niche, what your competitors are doing, and where else your customers are shopping. Having a pulse on what’s happening in your industry as a whole will help guide your research.
Once you complete this initial research, make a list of products you’re interested in adding to your store. You can always test products in your shop and see how they do. Plus, Faire offers free returns on opening orders with thousands of makers, so trying new brands has never been easier—or low-risk.
The goal is not to include every product idea that pops into your mind in your store. The idea is to edit your list to the point where you have a curated product collection that you feel confident your customers will love.
Narrow your product list
When thinning your list, think about your brand’s values and ethics. These are components that play a massive role in shaping your brand, how your customers connect with you, and how you ultimately deliver the right products to your customers.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself to guide your curation process:
- Does this product meet my ideal customer’s needs?
- Does this product align with my store’s price range?
- Is this product up to my brand standards?
- Am I excited about offering this product in my store?
But with so many brands and makers out there, it can be overwhelming to find the right products.
Faire customers can take advantage of helpful features like search filters and collections that make it easy to find the makers that align with your brand and your customers’ expectations. Try filtering by eco-friendly, made in the USA, and handmade brands. Faire makes stocking your shop a cinch (and really fun, if we do say so ourselves!).
Ask your customers for feedback
Another great way to fine-tune your curated product list is to ask your customers for their feedback directly.
Whether it be a survey via email or asking them while they’re in-store, understanding how your customers shop, plus what they like and what they think of your products, is a great way to gauge what items you should stock. Figure out the easiest way for you to collect customer feedback and make it a priority.
Asking for customer feedback not only helps you determine the direction you should go with your curation, but it reinforces a strong sense of connection with your customers. Your customers want to feel like their opinions are being heard. Giving them a platform to share those opinions goes a long way in the retail industry.
Curation leads to connection
There’s no question: curation is what’s separating retailers and smaller brands from big-box, one-stop-shops. Though these stores offer convenience and discounts, these shopping experiences can often feel impersonal and disconnected. That’s where you come in to change the narrative.
No matter what technology comes about, no one truly knows your customers like you. Your customers look to you for recommendations, tried and true favorites, and new product finds. By merchandising your store with products your customers will love and connect with, you foster a type of customer loyalty that is truly unique in the retail space.
