My main philosophy when setting up a display is to identify the club's brand identity and incorporate the Manasquan River brand into my displays. Every great club can have a great course, great food and beverage and great staff, so my objective is to find what sets our club apart. Here at Manasquan River Golf Club, our location makes us extremely special. Located right on the Manasquan River, two miles from the beach at the second-highest elevation point on the Atlantic Seaboard, we have the privilege of some incredible views from our course. From sand-filled jars to authentic surfboards, I try to incorporate the Jersey Shore into our displays with fun props, especially during peak summer months. Merchandisers know a unique prop can go a long way and help to elevate a simple display!
Before building a display, I usually lay the merchandise out from the recent delivery to get an idea of the theme and coloring I am looking to achieve through the display. Social media is a great tool I love to use to spark inspiration for themes. My goal is to pick a statement color and eye-catching props that coordinate and enhance the display to guide the member's eye and focus toward the merchandise. Once I have everything gathered, I get to work building the display with the techniques I have learned from merchandising associations, conferences and my peers in the industry.
With a shop that is over 3,000 square feet, I do have the ability to have multiple displays and move merchandise around often. If merchandise is not moving in one area, I strategically move it to another area on the floor and flip the display to keep things looking as fresh as possible. Personally, I believe some of my most unique displays have been achieved by taking a risk to try new techniques while also allowing myself to have fun and be creative with this aspect of my work!