Sensory sales

Where’s the best spot to display health and beauty products in your seaside shop? According to Danielle Sterling, owner of Sugared Mango Soap Shop, Virginia Beach, Virginia, the answer is simple. “By the counter.”
She explains, “Sometimes, it’s an afterthought that becomes a major thought once they try the product. By the counter, it gives them a moment to ponder, ‘Oh, what’s this and what can it do for me?’”


Lip glosses are often an expected last-minute checkout grab, specialty deodorants that do not contain aluminum, hair butters or sugar scrubs are different and intriguing. These can be real luxury wins for customers, Sterling says. “Another easy win is hand lotion. Everyone needs a squeeze of lotion to keep in their purse, and even guys [like keeping lotion] as long as it’s nothing too greasy.”


That’s a remark Sterling hears from customers all the time about her bath and body products — that they’re not too greasy. Another is the creaminess factor, which makes them feel pampered without the sticky after-touch.