Why you should attend NCPA 2024 Annual Convention

We could give you a hundred reasons to come to the NCPA 2024 Annual Convention Oct. 26-29 in Columbus, Ohio, but then this newsletter would turn into a novel. So, we'll give you just one instead: our incredible slate of business education. On Saturday, Oct. 26 at 11 a.m. join us for the session titled Maximizing Front-End Sales with Innovative Merchandising and Marketing Strategies. Speaker Dave Wendland, vice president of strategic relations at Hamacher Resource Group will put the “CE” in this continuing education program when he discusses the importance of appearance, experience, influence and more.

Be a better buyer

Okay, we couldn't give you just one reason to come to the NCPA Annual Convention. You should also attend to find new profit-boosting products for your stores by meeting with our exhibitors during the Expo. This is your chance to take advantage of special pricing and discounts only available during the show floor hours. Check out this list of 21 questions to ask vendors so you can be a better buyer.

Merry Merchandising

When it comes to creating a seasonal holiday display, keep in mind how most customers shop. No matter how long or short your fixture, shoppers gravitate to the center of the fixture. For example, if a gondola is 16ft long, the customer will walk 8ft. Once at the middle of the display customers will look at eye level from left to right (like crossing a road). Knowing this, your job is to place a high-value interesting item at the center of your fixture, at the height from the floor between 4ft 6inches to 5ft. Use this same eye-level theory for endcaps.

Helpful Halloween Handout

Don't forget to use this Halloween worksheet to take notes about your sales this year. Then pull out your Christmas worksheet you filled out and saved last year to prepare for the season that will be here before you know!

Need some inspo?

If you haven't been to the NCPA website in a while, here is your reminder to check out some of our front-end specific resources. The Overhaul of Fame galleries will give you inspiration for new signage, endcap displays, fixtures and delivery vehicles. Many of the photos show a before and after or dos and don'ts so you can apply what you see to your own stores.

Younger shoppers frequent Drug channel the most!

DID YOU KNOW...that Gen Z and Millennials are more likely to be weekly Drug shoppers vs. Gen X and Boomers? According to a 2024 WSL Strategic Retail research study, weekly shoppers in this channel are also more likely to have a child under 18 in their household. Although pharmacy and wellness items may be the stereotypical Drug store purchase, this serves as a good reminder that the most frequent shopper might also be there to purchase beauty, personal care or just pick up a snack. Think about ways to put these types of items in their path to encourage browsing or an impulse purchase near check out. Click here to see more detail on who is most likely to be a weekly Drug shopper!

Monthly Retailer Category Tips—Digestive Health

Use these tips to update your digestive health department to renew interest and highlight new items in the category. Digestive health is a top HBW category and adding new items helps bolster category sales. Read more...