Research tools for better merchandising

This third in David Rogers' series of articles on the applications of research to various aspects of retailing looks at one of the most crucial of retail functions — merchandising. With new and spectacular examples of good merchandising springing up all around us, retailers need all the help they can get in launching new ideas. David Rogers here looks at a “battery” of market research tools which can assist retailers to merchandise their stores more sensitively and profitably. This article is based on a paper given at the RMDP conference on “New Directions in Merchandising” held recently in London (RDM, July/ August 1985).