None of us like to think about them. Those occasional, hopefully rare, dogs. The merchandise that just doesn't seem to sell. Well, don't just let it sit there, try to remedy the situation. There are options. There are things to do. And, if in the end, it just refused to sell, get rid of it.

The simplest solutions are sometimes the best.

Try moving the product to another location in the store. Think about the placement. Does it make sense to the customer where it is? Is it out of the way for the person who is looking for it?

Re-merchandise the product. Does the display convey the value and price? Do you have $10 items locked away under glass? Does the display catch the customers attention, and does it look appealing? Is it accessible, or is the display so elaborate that the customer does not want to bother?

Moving and re-merchandising also make everything look fresh and new. Make sure that your jewelry is always clean and free of tarnish nothing kills jewelry sales like tarnished or dirty jewelry. Fresh cards can also make a big difference.

Try back stocking the product for a while. Could slow sales be attributed to seasonal reasons? Or are you ahead of the trend? A few weeks or months can make a big difference.

Contact your rep or the designer.

If the product still doesn't seem to sell, call the rep or designer; ask them for suggestions. Tell them what you have done, and see if they have some ideas. They have extensive experience with the specific product and may have a perfect solution.

Asking to exchange your merchandise can't hurt either. Some lines will gladly exchange slow selling product for styles that will sell better. Others will charge a re-stocking fee (usually 15%) but if it results in sales, the fee is worth it. Ask for assistance when exchanging. Tell them what items have done well, and let them help put together a collection that will sell.

Have a sale.

If all else fails, move the merchandise out of the store. Put the items on sale - a serious sale. Get your initial investment out, and some new inventory in. Don't let the dogs stink up the whole store.

None of us like to admit we are not always perfect. But, alas, it is true. Even the best buyers make mistakes. The trick is how you deal with it.