Backdrop

Backdrop,
on Aisle End-Cap …

Backdrop

n. A raised, shallow, and slightly tilted shelving area behind and above a FAST-WALL, EVZ or END-CAP DISPLAY were additional amounts of the ON-SALE PRODUCT are STACKED as a curtain to create an eye-catching background for a SIGN. Also, SHADOW BOX.

NOTE: Lightweight ITEMS, like cereal BOXES may be STACKED for the full height of the Backdrop. Heavy ITEMS like the cans in the photo at right, are often STACKED on a series of special, narrow metal SHELVES that may be inserted into the slots between the slats of the Backdrop surface.

Back End

Back End

adj. See BE. Contrast FE, FRONT END.

Back-set Offset Row

Back-Set Offset Row
(right) More, Neater

Back-set Offset Row

n. An arrangement for like cans, bottles or other round ITEMS in a HOLE that allows a greater than usual number GO while still maintaining a straight FACE and good BLOCK. See also JAM, MAKE IT GO, PACKING THEORY.

NOTE: Whenever jars or cans slightly overhang the lip, or there's a gap between the BLOCK at the FACE and the rest of the STOCK on the SHELF, or if there's a significant fractional can or jar's worth of wasted space right up at the front, you may have an opportunity to get slightly—sometimes significantly—more PRODUCT up. Just shift a row of PRODUCT three or more rows back from the FRONT sideways, left or right, so that it's “hills” fit into the “valleys” of the row behind it, similar to the way the teeth of two gears mesh. Repeat the offset process as often as necessary to make the first three rows sit flush with the front edge of the SHELF, alternating left and right, and moving backwards towards the back of the HOLE. This compresses the distance between the centers of jars or cans in the offset rows, making a tighter “lattice” and thus more will GO to the SHELF. Candidates? Premium canned soups or tomato PRODUCTS, jars of spaghetti sauce, those little jars of baby food, etc.

TIP: Best Face Forward. Any time you place Back-set Offset Rows, the foremost Offset Row should ideally be at least three or more rows behind the SHELF FACE, so that it's less obtrusive (see where the arrow's pointing to the three highlighted circles in middle of the rightmost illustration pane, above).

Back-Topple

Back-Topple

n. A nuisance or annoying condition akin to the domino effect, necessitating the removal of one or more ITEMS or CASES in order to set upright something that has been inadvertently pushed or toppled over towards the rear of a DISPLAY. Specifically, an unfortunate tendency of 2-liter soda bottles being slid into BOTTLE-RACES, and of TRAY-CUT CASES of cans that are being slid onto a STACK, where underlying cans in the back of the lower layer can be inadvertently displaced.

“Best EVER... !”

“Best EVER... !”

adj. Something that is really, really G-O-O-D, good! Contrast “WORST EVER... !”.

NOTE: Feel free to nominate your own contributions to this “Best EVER...” list:

...Time to Shop. Saturdays, between 10 P.M. and Midnight is ideal. Why? No, it's not just because the STORE'S not very crowded at that time. That's true more or less every night of the week. Oh, no. There's a much better reason: it's because during those two hours on Saturday nights the SPECIALS—sales and promotions—from both the past week and the week ahead are valid at the same time. So, with careful attention to the ads in the weekly CIRCULARS (the SHELF TAGS may have already been changed over), you can save more money by taking advantage of two weeks' SALE ITEMS at once!

Black RACK

Black Rack

Black RACK

n. Low, wide wire racks with two back-tilted shelves that are typically used to DISPLAY modest quantities of PRODUCT in front of FAST-WALL or EVZ DISPLAYS. See also TIE-IN SHELF.

NOTE: The best way to move a Black Rack is to JACK it up on a PALLET. Second choice is to hoist it—empty, of course—cross-wise onto the front of a SHOPPING CART.

Block

Block

v. 1. To make PRODUCT on DISPLAY or on the SHELF more visually appealing by pulling several ranks forward to the front edge. 2. To do so for whole AISLES, or the entire STORE. Typically done by NIGHT CREW after they've finished THROWING LOAD. “OK—It's time to start blocking.” Contrast WALL‑BLOCK.

NOTE: There's one good reason to enjoy Blocking: you don't have to HUNT for the PRODUCT or it's HOLE! Thus, with a little practice, you can do it fairly quickly. Everything you need is right there in front of you!

When Blocking the top levels of DISPLAYS on END-CAPS, the FAST-WALL or the EVZ, you may choose to either bring a full rank forward by reaching to its back and pulling everything towards you, or, to lift an ITEM or two from the back rows and place them into the gaps at the front. The determining factor is which way is both faster and neater.

TIP: Block Into Your Hand. Ideally you want Block using both hands at once. However, sometimes it's best to put up one hand as a backstop on the front edge of the SHELF or DISPLAY, and bring PRODUCT forward with the other until you feel it touch. Candidates? Glass jars, or things that are prone to topple forward, like tall, top-heavy or skinny boxes.