If you’re the owner of a retail store, chances are you use the New Year as an opportunity to re-evaluate your business and to research major marketing trends.

But, we know that being THE ONE in charge also means you have a million other things to do this time of the year: re-ordering, evaluating your employees, tweaking your budget, revamping your marketing strategy…the list is endless.

To help you breathe a little bit easier, we’ve compiled a list of some of the biggest retail store trends of 2016, as well as some upcoming trends you can expect in 2017, and even better, we show you how you can use them to benefit your business.

Trend 1: More Ways to Pay
You may have noticed that inserting a credit card’s chip into the reader, as opposed to simply swiping it, became popular (err, mandatory) last year. Plus, shoppers can now pay with mobile credit card readers, and many stores are also installing machines that accept EMV Cards. In terms of your countertop displays, this means that your shoppers will likely spend more time at your cash register, so they’re more likely to add a few small items to their shopping baskets while they wait. Make sure your displays quickly highlight a new product, and you may even consider a display that offers a coupon for a discount the next time customers come into your business.

TOP TIP: Make sure your displays are informative, colorful, and eye-catching, and be sure to place them as close to the card reader – and as close to eye level – as you can.

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