Maybe it's time for some remodeling? Now is a perfect time to think organic! Architectural trends are right in line with consumers' organic values: note the feel of new and recently remodeled shops. You see more warm and earthy finishes, wood floors, natural lighting, instead of white tile and fluorescent overhead lights. The shopping experience is becoming less of a chore and more of an outing, and retailers stand to profit by fostering the appropriate atmosphere.

In-store cafes are becoming increasingly popular, serving as a rest stop for customers, making them linger for longer in your store, which means bigger sales. An in-store cafe is an excellent way to promote your organic foods, your private label items, and your more expensive confections, as well as your deli and bakery.

But maybe your budget or your square footage isn't capable of supporting new flooring or an in-store cafe. Can you create a nook in a corner for a coffee counter, with a few tables and chairs? Coffee is a necessity for a large percentage of the population, and regardless of the economy, people are willing to depart with good money for a good cup of coffee. A coffee nook is a great place to combine your existing coffee aisle with your magazine rack. Add some specialty items like coffee mugs, gourmet teas and cookbooks, and you've created a small refuge for your store's patrons, and a big money maker for you!

The store-within-a-store concept is another successful use of space and products. Any department which provides the biggest return for your store should be emphasized here, like organics. People are more willing than ever to invest in their health, and it's important to note that the weak economy has not adversely affected organic sales. Some other techniques that are useful for promoting everything from organics to floral include modular and themed displays - ones which promote current trends or an upcoming holiday. These displays are flexible and allow retailers to respond quickly to customers' needs. Space might be tight for displays but they're worth it: just put them together change in mind. Even a shopping cart attractively filled with product is bound to get noticed! Small, stackable tables and baskets are also convenient to use and can be broken down and moved easily for the next sale in a week.

It's time to think about your signage, too. Rather than simple location markers for the bakery, deli, frozen and produce areas, for instance, your signs should promote a lifestyle concept. A graphic depicting a group of people sharing a loaf of bread, or an athlete eating fruit might be appropriate signage for your bakery and produce departments. These sorts of signs create a visual of good times and healthy choices, often making customers hungry and wanting to create the same feelings in their own homes.

Along with new department signs, another sales tool that's meeting with widespread success throughout the retail industry is employee recommendation cards. Customers will take the time to read them and are more likely to purchase something that comes with a recommendation. This is a great opportunity to promote any area of your store, and takes up very little space: you can place the employee recommendation right on the shelf!

Organics have increased more than 20% overall in the last year, and in the conventional supermarkets that carry organics, there has been a 17% increase. This year, make a resolution to make your organics even more successful by promoting products and creating a great store feel. After all, it's what your customers want!