Strategic Sales A good example of strategic sales is they way things are placed on the shelves at the grocery store. For example, putting one brand of cocktail sauce next to where the shrimp is sold seems logical, but there actually has been much thought and research put into the placement of products such as these. There are dips put next to chips in the snack aisle, and hummus is placed next to the pitas in the baking section. Research shows that this type of strategic selling yields very high sales numbers. Much higher, in fact, than if these products were placed on the shelf next to items that are the same, but are made by another company. This is a very basic example of strategic sales. Getting these products to deliver more value to the company by placing them differently yields the company more sales and therefore more value than if they were simply placed on the shelf right next to the competitor's products. Securing sales with an industry leader will have greater strategic traction in the market. In another example, there is a national fast food chain that began opening stores inside of gas stations that were located just off the interstate highways. A traveler typically stops to use the restroom and take break to stretch their legs, and perhaps walk a put of they happen to be traveling with one. This fast food company believed that there was a market for hot food and cold drink at these locations. This is another example of strategic sales. This type of offering turned out to be a huge hit with travelers. Up until then a traveler's choices were gas station foods like chips, beef jerky and soda, and restaurants at which you sat down and were waited on. Many travelers were traveling to get somewhere quickly and didn't want to take the time out of their trip to sit down and eat while being served by a waitress. This type of fast food restaurant was just the solution that travelers went for. Drive thru windows were installed for further convenience to the traveler, and nowadays they are everywhere. Many other fast food restaurants saw how successful this particular strategic sales move was and began to do the same thing. Strategic sales were the reason for their success. They already had the customers coming to the area because they needed gas for their cars and/or to use a bathroom. They simply offered something that they new existing customers would like. Another example of strategic sales are all the magazines and candy and gum that are stacked on either side of the check out line at the grocery store. You can't help but read the covers of the magazines while you are waiting your turn at the check out. The covers of these magazines contain teasers to get your interest so hopefully you will choose to buy it. I know I have fallen victim to this in the past. I bought something that I didn't plan on buying on a whim. Related Articles Sales Training Jobs Sales Techniques