Hardlines Strategies

MARKET PREVIEW

Turning Checkout Into Opportunity

“We saw a need for it,” says Clay Uhrmacher, Blish-Mize VP of sales and marketing. “These are quick grab-and-go items that customers can easily add to a purchase.” The idea for the Impulse Zone grew out of discussions about merchandising best practices and the role checkout areas can play in driving incremental sales. Blish-Mize leaders saw an opportunity to help independent retailers adopt strategies commonly used by larger chains while tailoring them to smaller store formats. “If you walk into a big retailer, they’re using impulse queue lines,” Uhrmacher says. “We want to make sure our customers know we can do that for them as well, and that we have a program to support it.”

He says the concept is also intended to help retailers modernize store layouts and identify new merchandising opportunities that may not require major investments or extensive floor space. “We’re focused on having a really good selection of impulse products,” Uhrmacher says. The Impulse Zone will be one of several returning features at the Fall Buying Market as Blish-Mize carries forward its “The Celebration Continues” theme tied to America’s 250th anniversary celebration. Along with new products and vendor offerings, the display will provide retailers with practical merchandising ideas they can take back to their stores and to help drive everyday sales.

After receiving positive feedback from retailers at its Spring Buying Market, the Impulse Zone is returning to the Fall Buying Market, giving retailers another opportunity to explore merchandising strategies designed to drive add-on sales. The Impulse Zone is a dedicated display area showcasing products commonly merchandised near checkout counters and high-traffic areas. The concept highlights quick purchase items that help retailers increase basket size while making better use of existing floor space.

16 Fall 2026 • Hardlines Strategies

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8/3/26 10:14 AM