Description
The Retail Collection includes resources developed or used by the Independent Grocers Task Force to complement its statewide in-store retail trainings, including the Take 5 video series and the Small Bites newsletter archive along with written resources designed to help retailers more effectively source and merchandise local food. Video episode topics include promotions, purchasing, merchandising, in-store displays, signage, sampling, and procurement. The written resources cover purchasing, merchandising, operations, financials, and staffing. Farmers and specialty food producers interested in learning more about best practices in retail merchandising may also find value in the video series.
Resources in this Collection
Small Bites
Small Bites Newsletter Sign Up
Sign up to receive the Small Bites newsletter in your inbox!
Small Bites Newsletter Archives
View the Small Bites newsletter archive of past issues.
Take 5 Episodes
Take 5 Episode 1: Introduction to Local Foods in Vermont
An introduction to the local food landscape in Vermont.
Take 5 Episode 2: Building Relationships with Local Producers
A look at how to build effective relationships with local producers and the local gateway products that can help jump-start…
Take 5 Episode 3: Tips for Sourcing from Local Producers
Tips that cover guidance on ordering, delivery, invoicing and billing, crediting, and additional requirements and policies when sourcing from local…
Take 5 Episode 4: The Bell Curve of Buying
This episode covers the 5 key questions to ask when buying a product for your store: (1) Should I buy…
Take 5 Episode 5: The Bell Curve of Merchandising & Display
This episode covers the 5 keys questions to ask after you've brought in new product to your store: (1) Have sales…
Take 5 Episode 6: Display Tips & Tricks
Display tips for all stores that covers basic display concepts and provides inspiration to unleash staff creativity.
Take 5 Episode 7: MORE Display Tips & Tricks
More display tips for all stores that covers basic display concepts and provides inspiration to unleash staff creativity.
Take 5 Episode 8: Merchandising for Small Stores
Tips for how to improve sales through improved merchandising.
Take 5 Episode 9: In-Store Promotions
Tips and strategies for stimulating consumer demand through in-store promotions.
Take Episode 10: In-Store Signage
Tips and strategies for effectively using signage to increase sales.
Take 5 Episode 11: Product Sampling
Tips and strategies for running an effective sampling program.
Take 5 Episode 12: Vermont Retail Showcase
A greatest hits showcase of creative merchandising in Vermont stores of all sizes.
Purchasing Resources
Tips for Building and Maintaining Efficient Relationships with Local Vendors
Tip sheet for building and maintaining efficient relationships with local vendors.
Tips for Purchasing Direct from Local Vendors
Tip sheet for purchasing direct from local vendors.
Merchandising Resources
Merchandising Strategies: Using the 5 Ps of Marketing
Strategies covering the 5 Ps of Marketing: Product, Placement, Pricing, Promotion, and People.
10 Questions to Ask About Produce Display
10 questions to ask to strengthen produce merchandising.
How to Create a Successful Sampling Program
Tips and strategies for creating and managing a successful sampling program.
Cross Merchandising
Tips and strategies for successfully cross merchandising to boost sales and profits.
Impulse and Ed-Cap Fundamentals to Boost Sales
End caps & impulse displays are used to promote new products, feature Vermont, seasonal and popular items while providing customers…
Operations Resources
Independent Grocery Store Audit/Self Assessment
A self assessment tool for whole-store or department evaluation modified from Rural Grocery Initiative in Kansas.
Tips for Receiving
Receiving is critical for managing quality control and product shrink!
Meat Department: The Bell Curve
Price is only one factor in the how-to-buy equation. The most disciplined retailers track not just price but also product…
How Do You Rate? Meat Department
An evaluation of the meat department within an organization.
Financials Resources
Managing Shrink
Shrink: the loss of product due to theft, fraud, error, and faulty processes; it is also expressed as “the difference between…
Produce Financial Worksheet
Use this exercise to increase financial aptitude and better understand the way these categories relate to each other. Enter your…
Staffing Resources
Exercising Your Leadership
“Business, like life, is all about how you make people feel. It’s that simple, and it’s that hard.” - Danny…
Daily Huddle
A daily huddle provides a way to solve minor issues quickly, keeps line staff informed of operational details, allows for…
