Strategic Sunday: Insights from the Aisles

Sundays aren’t just for rest—they’re for resetting your strategy and refocusing your mission. Based on my journey through retail—from Walmart and General Mills to Coca-Cola and boutique merchandising roles—here’s how I approach Strategic Sunday:

1. Reflect on the Week’s Wins and Gaps

Each Sunday, I review what worked and what didn’t—from shelf execution to customer interactions. Were displays impactful? Did product placement translate to sales? Use data and field notes to fine-tune next week’s plan.

2. Align Execution with Insight

Great merchandising isn’t guesswork—it’s grounded in consumer behavior and local knowledge. I’ve learned that strategy without store-level insight falls flat. Pair corporate objectives with boots-on-the-ground reality for a smarter plan.

3. Prioritize High-Impact Actions

You can’t fix everything at once. Whether I’m planning store visits or tackling inventory challenges, I focus on what moves the needle. Think: best-selling SKUs, underperforming categories, and high-traffic endcaps.

4. Strengthen Relationships

Retail is a people business. On Sundays, I map out touchpoints for the week—store managers, brokers, supplier reps. A quick call or check-in can go a long way toward smoother execution.

5. Set Clear, Measurable Goals

From increasing sales on a promoted item to cleaning up backroom clutter, I enter each week with 2–3 strategic goals. The clearer the focus, the greater the impact.

Merchandising is part art, part science. Strategic Sunday helps me blend both.

Let next week be intentional, insight-driven, and results-focused.