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Is it best to hang or fold garments in a clothing store? You might not have given it much thought, but the way you display your stock can have a huge impact on whether customers buy from your store.
Do your patrons spend a long time browsing, frustrated because they can't find the right size, for instance? Or do they wander in and out before you've even had a chance to say hello? Neither scenario is ideal, but perhaps there is an easy fix. If customers aren’t spending time and money in your store, the problem could be your clothing display.
So, you want your clothes to be easy to see and touch, so that people are more likely to buy them? Great! It sounds so simple in theory, but what does an attractive display actually look like? Visual merchandising is a tricky business, but it comes down to how you arrange and display the saleable items in your store.
There are many different opinions when it comes to store design and display, and whether to display clothes on tables or garment hangers is one that sparks great debate. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each approach.
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Some retailers fold garments to save space, or because they think it looks neat. Here are some of the reasons why folded clothes might be right for your store.
Despite taking up less space, folded clothes can look untidy compared to those displayed on garment hangers. Folded clothes can also prove more difficult for customers to look at. Here are some of the cons of clothes folding.
If you've ever stepped foot in a clothing store (which we're willing to bet you have), then you’ll know that most retailers hang their garments on plastic or wood hangers. Here are some of the benefits of displaying your stock on garment hangers.
It's a controversial statement for us to make, but some clothes don't fare well on hangers and should be folded instead. Here's why.
Seems simple, right? Hangers are the clear winner. However, as we've already touched on, there are some exceptions to this rule. Pay attention here, as displaying a garment on the wrong hanger or folding the wrong piece of clothing could ruin your stock.
The decision whether to hang or fold the clothes in your store partly depends on the type of garments you stock. For example, heavily embellished evening dresses will require different display techniques than casual t-shirts.
There are other factors at play, too, such as the weight, fabric, and shape of an item of clothing. Let’s break it down.
Different fabrics require different display and storage practices. Hanging the wrong material can ruin the shape of an item of clothing, for example, while folding certain materials can wrinkle and crease them beyond repair.
As a general rule, you should hang clothes made from:
You should fold clothes made from:
As well as the fabric, you also need to think about the weight of an item of clothing before you decide whether to hang or fold it.
Heavy garments like overcoats and suit jackets need to be displayed and stored carefully. If a garment is heavy enough to bend a hanger, you have two choices: you can either fold the clothing or find a hanger strong enough to support it.
Lightweight clothes also need to be handled with care. Items with heavy detailing (such as beading or embellishments) will pool weight to certain spots and alter the shape of a garment. These items should be hung on padded hangers that support their shape.
According to Martha Stewart: “Most garments look best when hung on “proper hangers in closets that aren’t overcrowded.”
This is an excellent rule of thumb to follow, but there are certain exceptions. Let’s take a look at different types of clothing and whether they should be hung or folded.
You should hang:
You should fold:
Beaded garments.
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It goes without saying that you need to consider the size and layout of your store before deciding on a display method. If your store is very small, for example, you need to be careful of making it look too cluttered, as this will put customers off immediately.
If you’re short on rail space, prioritize your bestselling stock and use space-saving plastic hangers. Just make sure there is always a sales assistant to ask for more sizes.
You could also combine the two techniques to save space by hanging some clothes and folding others. Just be careful not to fold garments that could crease or lose their shape. You also need to bear in mind that hanging too many items on a single rail will crush your clothes.
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Of course, it's not enough to say you need to hang certain clothes and fold others – anyone could tell you that much. It also comes down to the hangers you use. At Mainetti, we know that hangers play an integral role in presenting and preserving an item of clothing – whether it’s displayed on a shop floor or in a photograph.
Let’s take a look at the different hangers we provide – including wholesale wooden hangers, plastic hangers and swivel hangers – and what they’re used for.
Our wooden hangers have a clean, minimalist look and come in four different color choices: Natural, Walnut, Black and White. Many retailers use wood clothes hangers because they are both stylish and durable. Wood hangers bulk are also highly affordable.
You can buy wooden hangers in bulk from our website to accommodate a range of different garment types and sizes.
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Our swivel hangers are ideal for circular rails and ergonomic displays. They are available in either black or clear.
Our modern-looking acrylic hangers are both space saving and durable. They have chrome-plated hooks and clear acrylic and Lucite finish, making any display look smart and contemporary.
Our air-tech hangers are virtually indestructible. Scratch-resistant, durable and beautiful, they are the premium choice for clothing stores around the world.
Our space-saving plastic hangers are affordable and highly durable. Plastic hangers in bulk are also one of the most affordable options for storage and display.
Our scratch resistant Italian fusion hangers have nonslip features to prevent items falling to the floor. They are a beautiful off-white pearl color with black rubber notched shoulders and trouser grips.
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If you’ve been in the industry a long time, you’ll have heard the phrase “retail is detail.” It may sound corny, but there’s a lot of truth to the saying. All around the world, retail stores are under threat from the rise of online shopping, so it’s more important than ever to make a good impression on your customers.
It’s human nature to be attracted to pleasing aesthetics. That’s why we’re driven into stores with eye-catching displays that make it easy for us to find what we’re looking for. Product placement, presentation and ease of access are all important, so here are some tips to help you make the best impression with your clothing display.
Whether you choose to hang or fold your clothes, you need to be vigilant about organizing and rotating your displays, as well as re-folding or re-hanging items after a customer has finished browsing.
Whether you decide to hang all or some of your clothes, here are some final tips to consider.
Due to any one of the reasons highlighted in this article, you’ll probably need to fold at least some of the clothing in your store. Here are some tips to help you take care of your stock.
Hanging your clothes will give them a longer and better-kept life, but some items are best folded. The quality of your garment hangers is also important, as is the space available to you. The decision whether to hang or fold your merchandise is a choice only you can make, but the facts here will help you make a more informed decision. Mainetti hangers epitomize quality and durability, so what are you waiting for? Order yours online today.