Looking for inspired holiday display ideas that will really make an impact?

The merchandising experts at Hillphoenix are here to help you take the everyday and turn it into something spectacular.

Creating dynamic, attention-grabbing destinations in your store is key to drawing in shoppers, providing a memorable experience and driving those all-important repeat visits.

The good news is, you can create a holiday food destination in two simple steps—without a massive budget or pricey designer. Our two-step approach can be applied to any holiday in any department in your food retail store.

How We Turned a Frozen Food End Cap into a Holiday Meal Destination

First, we identified the OWEZV Dual-Temp Island and CLARITY JNRZH Door Case served as the perfect foundation for our holiday food destination. Then, we mapped out a spectacular spread of family favorites—from turkey, ham and seafood to all the essential trimmings.

The goal? To inspire shoppers and turn holiday meal shopping and kitchen prep into a fun event instead of a chore.

The result was an eye-catching display that showcased seasonal favorites and fun, festive products to make a delicious holiday meal. Follow our roadmap to create an enticing merchandising destination in your own store.

Step 1:  Create Your Strategic Merchandising Plan

Before you move a single product, decide on your game plan. Here are the three essential ingredients for your merchandising strategy:

1. Location: Select 2-3 high-impact refrigerated or frozen display cases—key areas where you’ll build your holiday ‘destination.’ Remember, you don’t need to overhaul an entire department!
2. Products: What aligns perfectly with your chosen holiday? Think cross-merchandising! Can you pair a savory roast with a specialty wine from another department? Highlight the main focus, then build around it with ingredients for a complete meal.
3. Signage: Turn your displays into a billboard! Look for prime real estate: on the case, suspended from the ceiling or creatively incorporated into your product merchandising set. Make your message clear, festive, and impossible to miss.

Step 2:  Execute the Extraordinary

Once you have your plan in place, it’s time to put it into action! Here’s how to execute with flair:

1. Find the Product Hook: Select your all-star, top-selling favorites—the guaranteed hits for the holiday party, the family feast, or even just a spontaneous festive meal.
2. Locate Prime Real Estate: Scout your frozen food aisle. Where does the shopper’s eye naturally land? We chose a high-visibility frozen bunker endcap paired with an adjoining 4-door display. This created the perfect stage to showcase everything from the main course to dessert.
3. Make a Blueprint (Planogram): Don’t wing it! Create a detailed map of what goes on each shelf with the necessary inventory to support your dazzling holiday concept.
4. Harness the Power of Graphics: Signage is crucial! Graphics act as your products’ voice, communicating value and excitement. We used the display case itself as the ultimate billboard.

Pro tip:  Use low-residue appliques for graphics! Installation is easy, they create a professional look, and when the season’s over, they peel right off. No sticky residue!

Great holiday merchandising transforms your grocery store from a basic supplier of goods into an inspiring, convenient and essential partner for every shopper’s holiday celebration. And the effort you put in directly translates into increased revenue and long-term loyalty.

Use these easy steps to take a typical area in a specific department of your store and elevate it into an extraordinary holiday shopping destination!