When potential clients tell us they don’t have a specific merchandise project at the moment, it’s often where the conversation ends. But what they may not realize is that this is the perfect time to start preparing for the future by incorporating customer feedback into their planning. Evaluating and conducting an assessment of your merchandising strategy and merchandise performance before there’s an urgent deadline is the smart way to ensure that when a project does come up, everything is set up for success.
A solid strategy takes time
Merchandise is more than just the final product you hand out at an event or send to a client; it is a crucial tool in driving sales. It’s about creating a well-thought-out strategy that aligns with your company’s goals. Whether you’re looking to enhance your employer brand, increase customer engagement, or support a marketing campaign, merchandise plays a crucial role—but only if it’s planned properly to achieve maximum customer satisfaction.
When there’s no immediate project, you have the chance to consider the full picture, including effective evaluation and inventory management. What are your company’s goals? What campaigns will benefit from merchandise in the short and long term? And how can you make sure that the products you choose match your brand and your message? This strategic thinking is often skipped when a project comes with tight deadlines.
Avoid the stress of last-minute rushes
Waiting until the last minute to think about merchandise often leads to stress and missed opportunities. At that point, you’re just trying to get the products ordered as quickly as possible. There’s no time to think creatively about how to use merchandising to achieve your sales and business goals. Often, decisions about branding, distribution, and measurement get rushed or skipped altogether. When you don’t have a pressing deadline, there’s room to think strategically. You can take the time to review product options, do quality checks, set up a distribution process, incorporate product placement strategies, and integrate your merchandise into existing systems. This way, when a project does come up, everything is already in place, and you can focus on executing the campaign without any last-minute scrambling.
The key to long-term success
Some of the most successful merchandising partnerships we’ve been part of—like those with Cloudflare, Deel, and HubSpot—didn’t happen overnight. They started with a conversation about long-term goals, careful planning, and setting up processes that could be repeated for future campaigns. By the time the first project launched, everything was ready, from the distribution systems to the measurement tools. When you start early, you’re not just planning for one project, but also strategically aligning your merchandising efforts with your sales goals. You’re building a foundation that will make every future project smoother and more successful.
Take action evaluating merchandise before the rush
Not having a specific merchandise project right now is a huge opportunity. It gives you time to build a strong strategy and a solid infrastructure so that when the next project comes up, you’re not scrambling. Instead, you’re prepared, and your merchandise will have a much bigger impact. Get in touch with our team to get a headstart.
