What is Horizontal Merchandising in Retail? Explained

Horizontal merchandising in the retail industry involves organizing and displaying products from various categories or brands together on the same shelf or section. Unlike vertical merchandising, which groups similar products from a single category together, horizontal merchandising creates cross-category displays. This approach aims to encourage cross-selling, introduce complementary products, and enhance the overall shopping experience by presenting related items in close proximity. Retailers use horizontal merchandising to increase average transaction value, boost customer engagement, and facilitate the discovery of new products or brands.