Visual Merchandising SOP Template

1.Purpose

To set up and maintain sales floor displays, windows, and signage to the brand's visual standards, so the store looks consistent and merchandise is easy to shop.

2.Scope

Applies to window displays, entrance areas, endcaps, and fixture sets across the sales floor. Everyday shelf replenishment of stock is covered by a separate SOP.

Definitions

Planogram

A diagram showing exactly where and how products should be placed on a fixture or shelf.

Endcap

The display fixture at the end of an aisle, used for featured or promotional products.

Sightline

The clear line of sight across the store that lets staff see customers and customers see key displays.

3.Responsibilities

Visual Merchandiser

Plans and builds displays to the planogram, checks sightlines, and photographs finished work.

Store Manager

Signs off that finished displays match the plan and brand standard before they go live.

Sales Associate

Checks signage pricing against the POS and keeps displays tidy during daily recovery.

RACI matrix

R = Responsible, A = Accountable, C = Consulted, I = Informed

4.Materials and PPE

Materials, tools and systems

• →Current planogram documents
• →Display fixtures and forms
• →Signage and price tickets
• →Steamer or iron for garments
• →Camera or phone for display photos
• →Merchandising calendar

Personal protective equipment

• →Step stool or ladder used per safety training

5.Procedure

1. 5.1

   Review the merchandising plan

   Visual Merchandiser

   Review the current planogram, merchandising calendar, and any brand guidelines for the display or reset being installed this week.

2. 5.2

   Gather fixtures, signage and product

   Visual Merchandiser

   Pull the fixtures, forms, signage, and the specific products called for in the plan before starting to break down the existing display.

3. 5.3

   Photograph the outgoing display

   Sales Associate

   Photograph the existing window or display before changing it, in case the layout needs to be referenced or reused later.

4. 5.4

   Break down the outgoing display

   Visual Merchandiser

   Remove outgoing product, signage, and props carefully, and return reusable fixtures and unsold product to stock or storage.

5. 5.5

   Build the new display

   Visual Merchandiser

   Install the new display following the planogram's placement, height, and spacing guidance, steaming or pressing garments as needed.

6. 5.6

   Set the featured endcap fixture

   Visual Merchandiser

   Arrange the featured products on the endcap by color, size, or theme as specified, facing labels forward and keeping top sellers at eye level.

7. 5.7

   Match pricing signage to the POS

   Sales Associate

   Check that every price and promotional sign on the new display matches the current price in the POS before the display is shown to customers.

   Checkpoint: Signage pricing matches the POS exactly for every item on the new display.

8. 5.8

   Check sightlines and safety

   Visual Merchandiser

   Confirm the new display doesn't block sightlines to the entrance or aisles and that nothing creates a trip or fall hazard.

9. 5.9

   Photograph the finished display

   Visual Merchandiser

   Take photos of the completed display from the angles customers will see it, for the store's records and for the district or brand review.

10. 5.10

    Get manager sign-off

    Store Manager

    Walk the finished display with the store manager and confirm it matches the plan before it's considered complete.

    Checkpoint: The store manager signs off that the display matches the planogram and brand standard.

11. 5.11

    Brief the team on the display

    Visual Merchandiser

    Show associates the new display and any related promotion so they can answer customer questions and know where featured items are located.

12. 5.12

    Do a daily recovery check

    Sales Associate

    Straighten and refill the display during daily recovery, tucking in loose signage and replacing sold items so it holds its shape between full resets.

6.Quality checks

• →Finished displays match the current planogram within the allowed variance.
• →All signage pricing matches the POS before the display is shown to customers.
• →Displays are photographed and sign-off is recorded for every reset.
• →Daily recovery keeps displays presentable between full resets.

7.Records

• →Before and after display photos
• →Planogram sign-off log
• →Merchandising calendar

8.KPIs

• →Percentage of resets completed on the scheduled date
• →Planogram compliance score from district visits
• →Sales lift on featured endcap products

9.Common mistakes

• →Installing a new display before checking pricing signage against the POS.
• →Ignoring the planogram's spacing or height guidance.
• →Skipping the before and after photos.
• →Blocking a sightline or exit with a new fixture.

10.Revision history