Merchandising should be the bridge between a brand’s strategy and the store floor. Done well, it lifts sales, builds loyalty, and makes every marketing dollar go further. Done poorly, it creates headaches. Many brands share the same frustrations with merchandising teams, issues that erode trust and weaken results. At VSS, we hear these pain points often, and we’ve built our business to solve them.
1. Inconsistent Execution
The Peeve: A planogram looks great on paper, but once rolled out, one store looks spot-on while another looks like a distant cousin. Inconsistency confuses shoppers and dilutes the brand’s impact.
How We Fix It: VSS runs strict compliance checks, with photo reporting through our portal. Brands can see execution store by store, 24/7.
2. Missed Details
The Peeve: Small things add up. A tester that’s missing. Old POS left behind. Stock tucked into the wrong bay. Brands notice when details are ignored, and so do shoppers.
How We Fix It: Our reps are trained to be brand ambassadors, not just shelf fillers. Every visit includes checks for stock, signage, cleanliness, and competitor activity.
3. Poor Communication
The Peeve: Silence between visits. No feedback loop. Brands often find themselves wondering what actually happened in-store.
How We Fix It: The VSS portal captures reports, photos, and notes in real time. Account managers (like us) translate that data into insight and action, so brands always know what’s happening at the shelf.
4. Lack of Flexibility
The Peeve: A rigid merchandising team that can’t adapt when a retailer shifts a bay, launches a new promotion, or asks for fast execution.
How We Fix It: With nationwide coverage and a large field team, we can pivot quickly. Urgent calls, seasonal surges, or one-off projects are built into our model.
5. Untrained Staff
The Peeve: Merchandisers who don’t understand the product they’re representing. They miss upsell opportunities and fail to inspire retail staff.
How We Fix It: VSS trains our team to know the brands they service. Whether it’s skincare, supplements, or homewares, we make sure the people on the ground can speak knowledgeably and confidently.
6. Reports Without Insight
The Peeve: Data dumps that add no value. A brand doesn’t just want photos—they want context and solutions.
How We Fix It: Our reports highlight wins, flag risks, and recommend action. The aim is not to tick a box but to grow the brand.
Closing Thought
Brands invest heavily to earn space in retail. The last thing they want is a merchandising team that undermines that effort. By tackling the pet peeves: execution gaps, poor communication, lack of flexibility, VSS has built long-standing partnerships with some of New Zealand’s most loved brands.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not about filling shelves. It’s about building trust, protecting brand equity, and driving sales where it matters most- on the shop floor.
