Insider’s Secrets to Selling Knives

Are you tired of being sold a bill of goods?

Remember that massive dinosaur display you bought on sale at the trade show?  It lumbered into your store, flopped down on one of your choicest locations, then died a slow and agonizing death as you bled down all that dead inventory and finally tossed it into the DUMPSTER OF LOST CAUSES!

Don’t feel bad.  We have all traveled down that road a time or two.  But now is the time to break the bonds of poor performance and low expectations!  Transform your store into a knife-selling powerhouse OVERNIGHT by understanding these simple but powerful secrets:

95% of all knife sales are impulse-driven

Think about it: few people PLAN a trip to the store to buy a knife.  Therefore, knives MUST be in your store’s high-traffic front end.  This strategy allows you to sell knives to ALL your customers – young, old, male, and female!  This area is rightly labeled the “high-impulse zone,” given that customers have accomplished their initial purchase goals. Their minds are relaxed and more susceptible to satisfying other pleasurable wants and desires. 

Primal and psychological forces drive 90% of knife sales

People buy knives for various reasons:

Empowerment: They want control over their surroundings.

Sensory Experience: Knives satisfy their senses of sight, hearing, and touch.

Emotional Connection: Knives evoke memories and fulfill deep-seated desires.

Task Accomplishment: Customers seek knives for practical purposes.

Placing the knife directly in customers’ hands is essential to capitalize on these instincts. Train yourself and your team to handle statements like “I’m just looking” with persuasive responses like “No worries… You deserve a closer look” or “You really should check this out.” Once the knife is in their hands, these instincts kick in, transforming a casual observer into a confident buyer!

Assumptions of what will or will not sell are usually wrong

Today’s world is fast-moving, and customer tastes have radically changed.  Once famous for generations, traditional pocket-style folders have a declining market share.  Younger generations want fast-open folders and automatic knives with modern designs, materials, and brighter colors.  Therefore, you MUST offer the broadest line of knives possible to motivate your ENTIRE customer base to keep buying.

Past poor performance doesn’t have to dictate the future

Don’t let past setbacks determine your ability to dominate the knife-selling game today. Studies reveal that, on average, people buy 35+ knives over their lifetime to meet their changing preferences and needs. So, don’t underestimate your potential to sell a lot of knives. Embrace the chance to excel in knife sales, recognizing the substantial demand for these essential tools. Your success is within reach; go for it with confidence.

Existing dead products can hold you back from being successful

Don’t let dead products hinder your future success. Get rid of stagnant stock to unlock the full potential of a successful knife program. Implement a “vendor product buyout strategy” or “product closeout sales strategy” to transform your program into the revenue powerhouse you’ve always imagined!

Winging it and hoping for the best is a receipt for disaster

Utilize experts who can supply you with the most unique and popular styles of knives today and provide you with the merchandising and service expertise you need and deserve to be successful in today’s rough and tumble retail landscape.

Comprehensive online marketing support is essential to selling 

Face facts! If your product line isn’t making waves online, you’re missing out on real retail success. Online marketing isn’t just something you need; it’s the secret weapon that transforms the game. By leveraging dynamic vendor-provided marketing strategies and tools, you don’t just increase visibility and connect with a bigger audience; you secure victory in the dog-eat-dog retail landscape. So, make online marketing a crucial part of your plan, and watch your sales soar to new heights.

Appealing to a wide range of pocketbooks maximizes ROI

Elevate your sales game and draw a broader customer base by offering knives at different prices. This savvy strategy ensures everyone can find the perfect blade regardless of budget. This approach increases your sales and enhances customer satisfaction, solidifying your position as a go-to destination for solutions to their knife needs and wants.

Knives must be properly merchandised and positioned to sell

Your display should scream “KNIVES!” to grab your customers’ attention and compellingly present the knives. The age-old wisdom, “If they can’t see it, they won’t buy it,” remains true even in today’s market!

Risk and time must be minimized to maximize profits

Demand solid guarantees and streamlined systems for maximizing profits, covering product margins, selection, returns, dead stock, shipping, ordering, displays, and retailer and customer support. Do not get nickel-and-dimed to death or bogged down in the “swamp” of Knife Category Management.

Instant product information at the point of sale is essential to closing sales

Nowadays, people have short attention spans, so time is precious. To make sales faster, use quick online tools like QR codes to give customers instant product info. Also, because finding smart and capable staff is hard, ensure your team knows everything they need to help customers quickly and close sales.