Visual Merchandising and its Significance for Retailers [Video Interview]

Date:

The Rest by Sleep Country at Yorkdale Shopping Centre (Image: Sleep Country Canada)

Share post:

Retail Insider’s Craig Patterson and Ani Nersessian, Founder at VM ID Inc., discuss the role of visual merchandising in the retail sector. Nersessian emphasizes the importance of visual merchandising in creating inviting retail environments and enhancing customer engagement. She highlights the challenges small businesses face in visual merchandising, noting that it often gets neglected due to various operational demands. She advocates for the strategic use of visual elements to optimize retail presentation and elevate customer experiences.

Ani Nersessian

Nersessian points out how larger companies set trends, and she discusses the importance of adapting these trends to fit the needs of smaller businesses. She shares her approach to consulting and package design, offering tailored visual merchandising solutions. Nersessian also touches on the psychological aspects of merchandising, such as customer navigation, product grouping, and creating an inviting space layout, which all contribute to the overall shopping experience and potentially increase sales.

Nersessian then goes on to talk about the practical aspects of visual merchandising, including the use of planograms, software tools, and the importance of experience over formal education in this field. She addresses the challenges of meeting tight client deadlines, especially during peak retail seasons, and the importance of adaptability in visual merchandising. The conversation concludes with a discussion on measuring the success of visual merchandising efforts, focusing on metrics like unit per transaction, average sales, and customer conversion rates. Ani emphasizes that visual merchandising is not just about aesthetics but is a critical component of the retail engine, driving sales and enhancing brand value.

The Interview Series video podcasts by Retail Insider Canada are available through our Retail Insider YouTube Channel where you can subscribe and be notified when new video episodes are available.

If you prefer to listen to the audio version, it is available below:

The Interview Series audio podcasts by Retail Insider Canada are available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Also check out our The Weekly audio podcast where Craig and Lee discuss popular content published on Retail Insider which is part of the The Retail Insider Podcast Network.

Subscribe, Rate, and Review our Retail Insider Podcast!

Follow Craig:

Follow Retail Insider:

Listen & Subscribe:

Share your thoughts!

Drop us a line at Craig@Retail-Insider.com. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show!

Background Music Credit: Hard Boiled Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

RELATED ARTICLES

Load more

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required

RECENT articles

Empire’s Family of Support Expands Access to Children’s Mental Health Care Across Canada

Empire’s Family of Support has helped children’s hospitals assess nearly 300,000 children and youth, supporting early intervention and mental health care nationwide.

Canadian Tire Corporation makes “landmark” commitment to women’s professional sports

CTC turns its focus to helping more Canadians discover, follow, and support women's sport.

Canadian Small Businesses Pursue Growth Despite Economic Uncertainty: Scotiabank

Scotiabank reports that 74% of surveyed small-business clients are optimistic about their business prospects. New findings also identify franchise acquisitions, multi-unit ownership, technology investment and succession planning as priorities for Canadian entrepreneurs facing economic uncertainty and rising operating costs.

Deloitte projects 14% drop in Canadian holiday spending to record low

A Deloitte survey finds shoppers are increasingly focused on discounts, with tariffs, inflation concerns and economic uncertainty shaping holiday budgets.

Levi’s Canadian Retail Strategy Takes Shape After Hudson’s Bay Closure

Levi's adapts its Canadian retail strategy after Hudson's Bay, balancing stores, Walmart, Mark's and Holt Renfrew as global wholesale sales grow.

Daily Synopsis: October 13, 2026

Hollister opens at CF Chinook Centre, Crumbl Cookies expands to Winnipeg, Denny's opening at Regina's Southland Mall, and other news.

Apple Expands Smart Home Ambitions with New Hub and Connected-Home Products

Apple is expanding its connected-home business in Canada with the new HomeView display and accessories developed with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric. The rollout brings new competition to home security, climate control and automation categories while creating opportunities for connected-home retail and services.

Weak Canadian Dollar Could Drive Grocery Prices Higher in 2027: Sylvain Charlebois

Sylvain Charlebois warns that a weaker Canadian dollar and rising commodity costs could push grocery prices higher this winter and into 2027.

Sold-Out Dealmaking Floor Caps Strong ICSC@CANADA in Toronto

ICSC@CANADA returned to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre's North Building from October 5 to 7, drawing retail landlords, brokers, developers and retailers from across the country

Athletic Brewing named official non-alcoholic beer partner of NHL in Canada

The multiyear deal includes marketing campaigns, retail promotions and fan activations, beginning with the 2026 NHL Heritage Classic in Winnipeg.

AI Could Push Retail Into a ‘Sea of Sameness’: Carl Boutet

In The Flip, retail strategist Carl Boutet explores how AI is reshaping commerce and why human judgment, distinctive experiences and trust matter more.

Villages Calgary closes retail operation after more than 40 years

The Calgary fair-trade retailer is ending its store operations after decades of supporting artisan groups, following plans to relocate amid declining revenue and customer traffic.

BrandMo Tech launches adtech platform with global headquarters in Toronto

BrandMo Tech plans to expand its Toronto team over the next two years as it introduces an AI-optimized advertising platform focused on cultural audience insights.

Canadian small businesses turn to AI to save time as holiday shopping season nears

Constant Contact's Dave Charest says independent retailers face rising costs and cautious shoppers, while AI offers new ways to streamline marketing and strengthen customer relationships.

SUPER MINISO Opens at Square One as Retailer Confirms Montréal Expansion

MINISO opens its first international SUPER MINISO at Square One in Mississauga and confirms new store openings in Montréal, Winnipeg and Toronto.

Canada’s Retail Employment Puzzle: Why Store Expansion Isn’t Telling the Whole Story

Canada's retail employment picture is changing as stores expand. Suzanne Sears examines staffing, hiring trends and workforce challenges.

Australian fitness franchise REVL Training targets U.S. and Canadian expansion

REVL Training plans to expand into North America, starting in Florida, as the Australian fitness franchise targets 100 studios across 10 countries by 2028.

Richelieu Hardware sales rise 12.6% as acquisitions boost growth

The Montreal-based distributor reported higher quarterly earnings and announced five acquisitions adding $145 million in annual sales, alongside a $15-million distribution centre expansion.

Daily Synopsis: October 9, 2026

Geely Auto entering Canada with retail, Winnipeg Giant Tiger closer sparks food desert concerns, McCain acquires Indian food processing business, T&T opens in North York, and other news.

From The Desk: Retail Growth Divides and AI’s Expanding Role in Canadian Retail

Canadian retail growth splits between value and premium players as AI reshapes merchandising and real estate adapts on varying performance and consumer demand.