Storing Supplies, Backstock & Non-Sellable Items

Storing Supplies, Backstock & Non-Sellable Items

Your selling space at Belleville Market exists primarily for selling and presenting your goods. While some storage for convenience may be necessary, it should be minimal and organized, so that the majority of your space is dedicated to showcasing merchandise. Properly storing non-sellable items keeps your space tidy, enhances the guest experience, and ensures your products remain the focus.

1. Examples of Non-Sellable Items

Non-sellable or merchant-only items include, but are not limited to:
  1. Step stools or ladders used to reach high shelves
  2. Tagging and labeling supplies
  3. Extra inventory or backstock
  4. Packaging materials, wrapping paper, or shipping boxes
  5. Props or décor not intended for sale

2. Storage Guidelines

Proper storage of non-sellable items is essential to maintain a professional, attractive, and functional selling space. The goal is to maximize your space for selling and presenting merchandise, while keeping any necessary storage organized, minimal, and out of guest view.

  1. Keep non-sellable items out of guest view at all times.

    1. Items such as step stools, tagging supplies, packaging materials, extra inventory, and decorative props should never be left on open shelves, counters, or tables where guests can see them.
    2. Use under-table storage, enclosed shelving, drawers, or designated bins within your selling space.
    3. If your space has vertical storage, consider using bins or boxes labeled for easy access, stacked neatly behind displays or within cabinets.

  2. Maximize your selling and display area.

    1. Your selling space exists primarily to showcase and sell merchandise. Non-sellable items should take up as little room as possible.
    2. Evaluate your display layout regularly: can backstock be rotated into storage or consolidated so more space is devoted to product presentation?
    3. Avoid using your selling space as a storage room — excessive storage can make your area feel cluttered and reduce guest engagement with your products.

  3. Organize items for easy access without disrupting displays.

    1. Frequently used tools like price tags, markers, or step stools should be stored where you can reach them quickly, but behind doors, under tables, or in containers so guests never see them.
    2. Organize by type or frequency of use so retrieving an item doesn’t require moving or disturbing merchandise.
    3. Maintain a consistent organization system so your storage remains efficient throughout the season.

  4. Do not store non-sellable items on open shelves or in areas accessible to guests.

    1. Visible backstock or tools can create visual clutter, confuse shoppers, and diminish the professional appearance of your selling space.
    2. Even small items left on shelves, counters, or decorative surfaces can distract from your merchandise and negatively impact sales.
    3. Think of storage as part of your merchandising strategy: the goal is seamless integration of convenience without compromising appearance.

  5. Tips for maximizing storage while keeping your space attractive:

    1. Use uniform bins or containers that blend with your display aesthetics.
    2. Label storage clearly for quick access but keep labels hidden from guest view.
    3. Consider rotating seasonal or high-demand items into storage to keep the most compelling products on display.
    4. Regularly review and declutter stored items — remove anything that is broken, expired, or no longer relevant to your displays.

3. Safety & Accessibility

  1. Ensure that stored items do not block walkways, exits, or access to your merchandise.
  2. Keep step stools and tools securely stored to prevent tripping hazards.
  3. If your selling space has limited storage, rotate backstock or store excess inventory in bins or containers that fit neatly under tables or behind displays.

4. Enforcement & Consequences

  1. Belleville Market management may request that you relocate, remove, or reorganize non-sellable items if they are visible to guests.
  2. Repeated failure to store non-sellable items appropriately may result in offsets applied to your merchant account.

5. Best Practices

  1. Use labeled bins or containers to keep backstock organized and easy to manage.
  2. Keep frequently used items within reach but still hidden from guest view.
  3. Regularly review your storage to remove unnecessary clutter.
  4. Design your space so that merchandise remains the focal point — the selling space should support presentation, discovery, and sales, not storage.

6. Summary

Your selling space should primarily be used to display and sell merchandise. While some backstock storage is unavoidable, it must be organized, minimal, and out of guest view. Following these standards keeps your space tidy, maximizes selling potential, and maintains the professional appearance and overall guest experience of Belleville Market.

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