Cash Register Gold: Curating the Ultimate Impulse Buy Section

We all know that the checkout area is prime real estate in your shop. Curating an effective impulse buy section can turn those last moments in-store into an opportunity for extra sales. Here’s how to make the most of this space and increase your shop’s revenue without overwhelming your customers.

1. Keep Your Impulse Section Coordinating with Your Displays
Your impulse buy section should seamlessly tie in with your shop’s overall aesthetic and current displays. Choose items that complement your seasonal collections, fabric offerings, or ongoing promotions. This creates a cohesive shopping experience and encourages customers to grab those small extras that complete their projects.

• Keep the section aligned with your current fabric and notion displays to make it feel like a natural extension of the store.
• Offer items that work well with what customers are already purchasing, whether that’s coordinating notions, small patterns, or handy quilting tools.

2. Balance a Stocked but Not Cluttered Impulse Section
A stocked impulse buy section is important, but overcrowding can cause customers to skip it altogether. Keep the display organized and ensure there’s room for customers to browse without feeling overwhelmed. A little space goes a long way in guiding your customers’ attention to the products you want them to notice.

• Stock a variety of small items but limit the selection to 3-5 key products at a time.
• Make sure the section feels inviting, with enough space between items to give each one room to shine.

3. Create a Cohesive Impulse Section with Themes
Consider creating themed sections within your impulse area, like an “Oops” section for quick fixes, a “Gift Ideas” section with small items like pins or patterns, or a “New Arrivals” section to highlight fresh products. This gives customers an easy way to pick up something they might not have thought of, while making the section feel more organized and thoughtful.

• Set up small themed displays that invite customers to explore.
• Consider customer needs and interests when selecting items for each section (e.g., fix-it kits, sewing essentials, or holiday-themed gifts).

An effective impulse buy section should feel seamless and easy for your customers to navigate. By creating a display that ties into your shop’s overall aesthetic, balancing product selection, and offering themed sections that feel curated but not pushy, you’ll enhance the shopping experience without making it feel like a hard sell. Keep it simple, relevant, and fun, and watch those extra sales add up!