Banner guidelines

Format banners as you would billboards. The fewer words, the better. If your store name is on your building or easily found on a road sign, then you do not need your store name nor logo on the banner. Only place your phone number on the banner if you are doing curbside delivery; do not include the area code unless it is necessary. If you are not doing curbside delivery, replace your phone number and store hours with a website address. If the banner is subject to limited lighting, then print the banner with a dark background and use bold easy to read white lettering.

Note: Banners with a dark background are more expensive and difficult to get suppliers to print. Unless you have a spotlight on the banner 24/7, the dark background is the best investment. See an example here. 'Hang' in there. As a friend said to me, "This to will pass, much like a kidney stone."

Social Media is a must

When it comes to your store's website and Facebook business page, please make sure that your customers know how you are conducting business and what your hours are without having to click a link. Clinking links can be annoying! Click here for an example of a good website notice.

Help Me!

I need your help. I do not know what it is like for you right now. Help me help your peers. What do you plan to do with your greeting card inventory? Specifically, Easter. Is it possible to place a number of images of your greeting cards on your website? Have people pick from the few cards you post and make them available only with RX delivery or pickup? Are you going to rope the card section off and have a staff member who is wearing gloves show the card to someone 6 ft away? We need to get good at handling cards, Mother's Day is six weeks away, we have to be prepared for that. Please share your ideas by emailing Gabe.trahan@ncpa.org.

Relocate your OTCs

I've have heard from merchandisers that have placed the most requested OTC items behind the RX pickup area. To that, I would suggest adding items such as immune boosters, fever reducers, cough syrup, moisturizer creams, Vitamin D, lozenges, etc. This is an excellent opportunity to feature your store's private label. Speaking of OTCs; here's a notice you'll want to post for your patients. Patients can use their health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) for OTC medications and menstrual products.

Allergy Relief Headquarters

Allergy season will soon be in full bloom. An increasing number of people will search for allergy relief by first going to the internet. I suggest you place an "Allergy Relief Headquarters" section on your website. Offer tips on how to deal with allergies and show off your robust inventory! (Robust means more than one of each). For you overachievers, consider offering your tips in a video format! Video is king when it comes to social media engagement.

New Resource for New Products

Front-end Marketplace has closed, but all of the great products that were on the site and even more can now be found in Gabe's NCPA Picks on RangeMe. RangeMe is a global platform that will allow you to introduce yourself to a world of vendors and research exciting products in what seems to be an endless number of categories. On RangeMe, you will be able to request samples and message the representatives of the companies for more information and instructions on how to buy. RangeMe is NOT a buying site; instead, it is your portal to explore new lines from wherever you and your PC are at. Download instructions for creating an account.