Ron Maier Jr. asked:
Counters are present in almost every type of store. Clothing, sporting goods, jewelry and specialty shops are all in need of displays to use on their counter tops. Counter displays are useful for merchandising your smaller or more expensive products. They are also very useful for selling the last minute items that your customer might not have come in for, but are willing to buy once they’re at the register. There are a multitude of display types to choose from.
When selecting your store displays, keep in mind the type of messages that you are sending to your customers. You can use cardboard easel displays in a convenience store, discount store or a fashion outlet aimed at younger demographics. They can be great in the right setting and are relatively cheap to have your own graphics printed on them. They’re wonderful for short-term promotions and can be saved for repeat sales or seasons. You may consider something a little more elegant or sturdy for high-end stores or to display items that you sell year-round.
Glass display cases are very nice and attractive counter top additions. Displaying jewelry, rare baseball cards, watches or anything that you don’t want easily stolen or touched in a glass display case is a good solution. This type of display case can be purchased with wooden edges, with locks or can be made completely of glass. Acrylic boxes are also nice, durable and sometimes less expensive. You can decide which type of glass display cases you would like to use in your store based on the style you’re projecting and clientele that you’re targeting.
Spinner racks are useful for displaying a lot of similar types of items. They get your customers to be hands-on with the product and have a high sales impact. When they are used on top of the counter, they are eye level with customers coming to the check out. Sunglasses, jewelry and key chains are commonly displayed on these types of racks. Acrylic and metal are the most common types available. They are generally sturdy and can last for many years in your store. Shop for high-quality racks if you want them to last and you want them to spin smoothly. Consider the weight of what you will be displaying to ensure that tip-overs aren’t going to be a problem. Place heavier objects towards the bottom to make your spinner rack sturdier.
If you’re running out of room on your counter top, you can buy pedestal displays and spinner racks that are free standing on the floor to merchandise your counter area. Don’t forget about displaying gift cards by the register if your store offers them. This small step can really increase your sales and help market your store to more customers. Brochures, business cards and promotional flyers should be displayed, not just stacked on the counter creating a cluttered feel. Keep everything nice and neat, well lit, and visible to your customers. There are a lot of last minute sales to be made and you can be sure that your investment in high-quality, high-impact sales materials and counter top displays will pay off.
Ron Maier Jr. asked:
Creating a successful retail, clothing environment is extremely dependant on the display design. A boring store is sure to land flat on its face in today’s exciting clothing world, and a variety of presentations, several fixture types, and multiple levels can make a huge difference. The right design should bombard the customer with several garments at different levels and in different textures but should allow easy traffic flow and not seem too congested. Retailers should not expect the modern customer to spend hours sifting through clothes racks. Instead, through the use of quality store fixtures, a larger number of garments and styles should be presented through multi-level and textured displays.
Clothing displays can be divided into to major categories, those on the floor and those on the walls. The sales floor is utilized for two major things, accommodating customer traffic, and displaying clothes. Through a combination of two arm and four arm racks (which come in slanted or straight forms), round racks, combination racks, and display tables. The standard arm racks are the most common and effective floor fixtures in clothing stores. Though round racks are great for clearance items, arm racks carry a number of garments while showcasing the outermost two or four articles. Instead of the shoulder of the garment being the most visible side, the front of the outermost garments are in full view. A variety of display tables work great for folded clothing. Some people might not understand why some clothes should be folded and others hung, but regardless of clothing care, displaying both will bring more texture to the sales floor. Combination racks are designed for this very reason, having both arm and table display capabilities. These single fixtures give the textured appeal of both folded and hung clothes.
The most optimal space for clothing display in a store is the walls. Keeping the floor as uncluttered as possible will help customers to move about with ease, and by moving a majority of the merchandise to the walls, a large amount of inventory can still be presented without overburdening the floor. Slatwalls and gridwalls are the most popular of wall displays, and they provide excellent and versatile display options. With an enormous variety of accessories like clothing hooks, tables, arm racks, and a many specific designs, slatwalls and gridwalls make presenting any garment or accessory simple. After the walls have been lined with slatwalls or gridwalls, clothing can be displayed in virtually any design format that fits the store best.
As a finishing touch to any clothing store, the addition of mannequins and graphics will enhance any space dramatically. There are countless mannequins in various forms that help the clothing come to life. Customers enjoy seeing how the garments are designed to fit and how different outfits look together. There are full body mannequins, both male and female, as well as mannequin forms that work great for display tables. Large graphics can serve the same purpose depicting actual models wearing the clothes, but they are not limited to this. Pictures on the walls can also provide atmosphere such as outdoor scenes in a store like Eddiebauer or club scenes in a store like Wet Seal. The clothing should set most of the mood, but a little help from mannequins and graphics can go a long way.
These fixtures and strategies help clothing stores to hold customer attention and accommodate traffic, but the bottom line is that great clothes sell themselves. It is important to create store displays that features the clothing and keeps customers focused on the clothes. Congestion, clutter, and overstocked shelves and racks are only distractions that keep people from appreciating the merchandise.
Celeste Yates asked:
There are plenty of products that can be bought for storing shoes at home. Companies have come up with some bright ideas ranging from transparent boxes to cloth hanging shelves: each catering for different types of shoes. But shoe stores are still having a difficult time creating a system that is customer and shoe friendly.
There are four ways to display shoes in a store. The first is to have a large basket with all of the different types of shoes thrown into it. This system is the easiest to do, but makes it difficult for the customer and for the shoe. Shoes get damaged, as they are squashed at the bottom. In most cases the baskets are made out of metal mesh, which damages the shoe when it’s pushed against it. Just imagine how you would feel if you were a casual sneaker with 9-inch heels on top of you, hiking boots next to you and you were being pushed against metal that was the equivalent of a chicken fence.
Another problem with putting shoes in a basket is that their partners get lost. Customer will find a left shoe that fits and not a right one. The displays have a low-cost budget look to them. Using large baskets or bins for shoes is the type of thing that factory shops or stores that can’t afford other storage techniques use.
Shelving is a popular storage method that most shoe shops use. However, shop owners are finding that there is a fair amount of maintenance involved with shelving. They need to be wiped down frequently and there is the extra cost of lighting to be considered. With shelves on top of each other, shoes often get lost in the dark. There is also the problem of wasted space in between the shelves. Storeowners have to employ a few assistants to help customers as not all shoes can be on display with the shelving.
One way of optimising the shelving solution is to combine it with boxes. By enlarging the space in between the top and bottom shelf, shop owners can place the differently sized shoes in boxes under the display shoe. This gives an untidy appearance, however, as different shoemakers have different boxes. Customers also have problems if their shoe size is at the bottom of the pile. This type of shoe storage isn’t recommended. Rather keep the boxes at the back of the shop.
As far as shoe displays are concerned, hangers are becoming the most popular method to use. They are more space efficient, as 1 meter of retail wall space can accommodate about 75 pairs of shoes. The space will be able to display 15 different types of shoe designs. This also creates more floor space, which the storeowners can use for extra mirrors and seating. The shoes will be more visually appealing, as they will be displayed from the top of the shoe down. They will also have more light without the shade from an overhanging shelf.
Shoe hanging companies are designing different type of hangers for different types of shoe styles and designs. There provide minimal contact between shoes resulting in less damage. Pairs of shoes will not lose their partners as they hang side by side.
Hanging shoes is proving to be the most efficient way of displaying shoes, regardless of style. It is easier for the shop owners to maintain than other types of shoe storage and damage is kept to a minimum. Shoe hanging companies can work out individual designs and have the ability to create custom hangers for complicated shoe designs. It would seem that using large wire mesh baskets are consigned to the past.
Amy Nutt asked:
The type of display you use for your trade show booth is something that is going to make a difference in how you do business. The idea is to stand out and be unique amongst the rest, so you must figure out which kind of display is going to be the one to fit you best. Two of the displays you may find that you have to choose from are hanging displays and pop-up displays. Each may look the same as each other, but the truth is that they are very different. It is important that you know those differences so that you can make an informed decision regarding which you should use.
Hanging displays
Hanging displays are rather true to their name. They actually hang over top of your trade show booth. They also make for a great attention grabber because they can be seen from far distances. You don’t have to have one of those booths that aren’t seen until the individual is standing right upon it. They can see it from across the way and make a beeline for your booth.
The downfall is that these work best at trade shows that are conducted within an arena or a convention center. That way the trade show booth owner has a ceiling to hang the display from. If the show is outside, then there is nothing to hang it from unless you build an incredibly tall pole that allows you to hang the display. It is then that you’re putting your display up against such elements as wind and rain. You would also have to transport the pole and building such a contraption could prove to be expensive because you would have to somehow make it compact for transport. That might be why you never see hanging displays at outside trade shows.
Pop-up displays
Pop-up displays are different from hanging displays in that they don’t hang. They come in a number of sizes and materials. Display assembly is quite easy because the frame is built to simply pop-up. An example of a unique pop-up is one that is 20 feet long and 8 feet high. It sits on the ground and actually has a wave shape to it. This makes it unique compared to pop-ups that may be one simple curve and sits upon a tabletop. However, tabletop pop-up displays are also great to showcase items you may have. You can also place lighting above the pop-up to enhance your display. Any type of lighting is going to make a difference and pop-up displays allow for that.
Another great thing about pop-up displays is the fact that they can be used both indoors and outdoors. That way you don’t have to fret if your next trade show is going to be outside. You can still use your pop-up display to bring attention to your booth.
Maximizing your presence
You can maximize your trade show presence by using one or both of these display types. If you’re having an indoor trade show, you can use your hanging display and your pop-up display. If you find you’re going to be outside, then you can just use your pop-up display. Both are very effective in bringing a crowd to your booth and you’ll find that you’ll earn a return on your investment because of the ability of these tools to attract a crowd to your booth. Just remember that you have to spend money to make money and that purchasing the right trade show displays is one of those instances. Just make sure you look around and see how much more business you are achieving against those who do not employ any type of display.
Adam Singleton asked:
Customer’s first impressions of your products are often based on how they are presented, followed by their look, feel and functionality. With this in mind a stylish display case is what you need to meet your requirements and impress the customers. If you are displaying model cars, for example, then a floor standing show case will be perfect; though if your product requires something smaller, such as jewellery, then a wall mounted display cabinet would be ideal.
As such, it is very important to your company that your products are displayed not only in a professional environment, but more so in a secure one. This can be best achieved with a locking display case.
However all these things will appeal to the customer and can help sell your products. But you mustn’t forget about making your possessions safe and secure, as this is essential to preventing unwanted theft. Reports have shown that shop-lifting is rising and companies need to take greater steps to protect their assets. Thieves will look for easy opportunities to commit their crime and will scout out the retailers who do not lock their products away.
Now, you don’t want to have to give into the thieves and hide your merchandise away, so a secure display will prevent you having to do this. They are all made with a thick, aluminium frame and a toughened and polished outer glass which is virtually unbreakable. The hinged doors of the display cases are all fitted with a high security lock, and the thick glass shelves are fully adjustable. So together with this and the spot lights placed at the top of the cabinets, you products will look amazing and be totally secure, giving you peace of mind.
If your products are unsecured and you want to present them professionally but still have them securely locked away, several display manufacturers, such as Displaysense, can provide a broad range of wall mounted, floor standing, rectangle, square hexagonal and corner display cases, to meet all your display needs safely and securely.
Ron Maier Jr. asked:
Mannequins are wonderful props for adding life to your store displays. With proper lighting and a few inventive ideas you can really make a mannequin come alive. Consider the difference in a little girl mannequin wearing a pretty Christmas dress and the same little girl opening a gift, discovering the teddy bear of her dreams and her parents looking lovingly on her. Emotion will really get your customers into the Christmas spirit. Tug at their heartstrings a little and it could really pay off.
The first step is to choose the outfits that you would like to display. Layering works great on mannequins and you can feature many different products at once. Be careful not to overdo it. You don’t want to detract attention away from the feeling that you’re going to convey. Children mannequins and life-like baby dolls are great for getting to parents’ hearts. Imagine children sleeping in their beds, while Dad dressed as Santa sneaks a kiss. This can be a very touching scene, especially if Mom is watching this tender moment. The more emotions you can display, the more memorable and effective your display will be.
The use of animals is effective as well. Let’s say that the child is receiving his first puppy for Christmas. The puppy sneaking out of the box is cute, but keep the emotion in mind. The little boy plays a major part in pulling this scene together. He could discover the puppy after it destroyed its box and be shocked. He could sneak down early and play with the puppy as Santa’s legs are disappearing up the chimney. His parents could discover him downstairs curled up asleep with the puppy by the fire. The puppy could have escaped the gift and went to sleep with the little boy in his bed. The possibilities are really endless.
If you don’t specialize in children’s clothing, you could go for a romantic approach. A husband and wife snuggled up opening gifts shows a lot more affection than two mannequins standing wearing clothes. If you don’t want to get elaborate, a simple touch can be meaningful. Mannequins facing straight forward doesn’t really mean anything. A woman walking away and a man sneaking a small gift wrapped box into her pocket has meaning. Angled mannequins are generally more appealing to the eye than dead-on straight forward ones. Another idea is to have the man and woman meeting. She drops her gifts and as he’s helping her recover, they exchange a long stare, or he presents her with an engagement ring.
Plan out your display far enough in advance to order what ever props you may need. Decide on which emotion you would like to portray and go for it. You can even select the holiday music in your store to match the theme. Don’t forget about the lighting. A dimly lit display draws very little attention, no matter how imaginative the theme is. Have fun with it and don’t hold back. Enjoy your holiday season and make the most of your front window displays.