7 Tips to Make Your Merchandise Stand Out

2. Control product development expenses. Purchase buyouts of new items to test and expand your product line without having to undertake development expenses, Schmotzer said. This technique allows her to place products in the catalog at prices her customers can afford.

3. Monitor the buzz surrounding your brand. Make sure you hear what people are saying about you, van Sonsbeeck advised. Read blogs, customer reviews and online chats to find out how people feel about your brand. In fact, van Sonsbeeck admonished the audience for its lack of use of Google Alerts after a show of hands. Google Alerts, Google’s free online clipping service by topic, is an excellent way to hear what people are saying about you, he said.