- Change Your Displays Monthly
Seasons come and go, so do the holidays; they are not meant to last. In the same sense, your promotional goods will only be for a set period. Therefore, you should have some new arrivals to feature.
Never split the merchandise that you ordered to go together. That will only dilute your first display. However, it is understandable sometimes to be left, and these can then be grouped with the new arrivals.
For instance, if you have different merchandise, such as mugs, red valentine candles, or teas all from different vendors, you can opt to wait for all of them to arrive as opposed to putting out what you get first. It may see you lose the opportunity for an add-on-sale.
- Show Off The Wants
Rather than showing products that the customers need, highlight what they want. In most cases, the shoppers are coming in for what they need; therefore, you need to show them what they do not know they want.
A good example would be to display to take away the cheap hand mixer and replace it with a fancy KitchenAid, which is what many people desire to have in their kitchen. Your customers may need a blender, but that does not mean that they will let an opportunity to treat themselves to something better though a bit pricier pass them.
- Look For One Thing That Makes A Group
Place the same product in one location, and grouping them accordingly works in a grocery store. However, this strategy does little for a large retail outlet. You need to arrange things based on their use. For instance, you can have an isle for related items, such as one for beverages and brews.
Also, consider doing this depending on color with the strongest hues combined with the weak ones to make the presentation more appealing. In retail, White, Red, Blue, Orange, and Black tend to attract attention. Never create a monochromatic display because the eyes will get the point and move on quickly to the next alluring thing.
- Start Closest To The Door
When planning how to arrange your products for display, start with the areas closest to the entrance and showcase the newest and most expensive items. Work with different heights and have enough products on displays so that customers can touch and pick what they want without dismantling the entire presentation.
- Pig In The Window
Sometimes, the missing element that will make your display standout may be utterly unrelated to the product you want to highlight. What you will be placing is a prop that aid in grabbing the attention of customers as they pass by. For instance, you can place a stuffed top pig next to the KitchenAid display.
Keep in mind that props may not work for every display. It is the idea that counts and placement need to be well thought out. The objective is to get the shoppers to ask themselves, “why is that there?” In so doing, they will be intrigued and will want to know more.
- Showtime
Lighting the display is essential; it makes the merchandise pop. You need to use the right overheard lights that give the perfect illumination. If the display is dark with no way of highlight it, then consider moving it to a source of light or illuminate it from below using a small floor spotlight. It is also important to have the perfect backdrop to show off your display. A cardboard display can be a cost effective way to showcase products.
- Put Words To It
Throw in some well-worded, and thoughtfully placed signs. Keep the message short and easy to read. Use large fonts so that everyone, including the old customers, can see the print. Reserve the bright handwritten signs for the kiddy stands.
Avoid place the “Do Not Touch” sign on your display. It might just as well be saying “Do Not Buy.” Appreciate the fact that products on presentation are supposed to be picked, touched and the display getting messed up.
- Rotate Them
When new merchandise comes in, you need to move the old displays around the sales floor. Remember to switch up the displays two weeks after the new arrivals are up so that all merchandise gets a fair opportunity to sell. Work your way from the front to the back, those in the front going to the middle, those in the center moving to the end of the store, and those at the back making their way to the front.
- Keep Track
You should keep a weekly inventory and monitor your computer printouts. If a product takes off, then you should be ready to restock immediately. If you sell and run out of stock before the next order arrives, you can change your visual merchandising strategy to what you have plenty of in stock.
Before you give up on the merchandise that does not sell, consider moving it to another location where another related display complements it.
- Tag It
You should ensure all your stock is appropriately priced and with readable tags. Customers detest having to ask how much something costs yet it is on display.
