Retail business isn’t just about stocking up on products and arranging them on racks. It involves so much more- you need to create visual appeal and inspire customers to explore other sections, buy related items and discover your products seamlessly.
Visual Merchandising Tips
We mostly observe the world through our eyes. Sight is the prominent sense in humans, so appeal to it, to make your retail business more successful.
Start With The Shop Window
Window displays have always been the best way to get the attention of passersby- they make them pause and look at your shop. The display should combine aesthetics and creativity. It should be attractive, uncluttered and neat. The window display should entice people to stop and think about going in. It should spark curiosity in the minds of the beholder, and give them the push required to step in and explore what is on sale.
Place Special Collections and Products on Sale Prominently
If you have a special collection to show off, or you are holding a special sale, you can place these items in a section at the front, so that the customers see them first when they enter the shop. Place them near related sections so that the shoppers are enticed to make other purchases too, not just the items on sale.
Use Signage
Use creative signage to direct your customers to different sections of the stores, to draw attention to special sections. Make the signs match the general visual theme of the shop. All the signage you use in your store need not be big and overbearing, but they should be at a height that makes them clearly visible and the lettering should be easy to read.
Group Your Products
Create special sections that show off related items in a way that convinces customers to buy the whole ensemble. This can work for many types of products, right from clothing to furniture. Grouping items together inspires shoppers to think of the group as one whole set, instead of viewing them as individual pieces. Customers can also imagine themselves using the product this way, which can be a strong driver for a buy.
Entice Impulse Purchases
Place accessories next to apparel, show off bluetooth devices next to mobile gadgets, display toys and baby clothes next to baby care products like diapers, and baby soaps and lotions. Most customers enter the shop with the definite idea of purchasing a few items they need. Then they are attracted to special displays in adjacent sections that are related to what they have bought. This can inspire them to spend more.
Create Photo-Worthy Displays
Set up one or two special displays that stand out. Make them very attractive to inspire customers to take a snap. Encourage them to do so and provide them special hashtags to use while sharing. Social media can be a powerful way to reach out to more shoppers. Getting your customers involved in this, by posting images of special sections or window displays on Instagram, Pinterest etc, is free advertising!
Keep Changing
Sticking with the same floor layouts and arrangements for months on end can quickly make shoppers lose interest. Even if you do not change your floor layout, switch the items on display. Rearrange special displays. You can either bring in a full set of new items, or just switch things around to create an illusion of fresh merchandise. Customers like to see changes, to see new products, this leads them to think they have a wide variety of choices when they shop at your store.
Visual merchandising is all about creating a visual appeal that entices customer to enter your store and then leads them on to explore and make purchases. Plan your displays and shelves well, group products, create beautiful window displays. Convert foot falls into shoppers, buyers. and loyal customers.
