Visual merchandising can make or break your retail store. You need to provide the ultimate customer experience by showing off your best clothes in a unique and accessible manner. Do it right, and you will make a ton more sales. Do it wrong, and you’ll direct your customers straight toward the exit.
With a little creativity and the right products, you can nail visual merchandising. Here’s how.
Assess Your Floor’s Layout
The store layout has an enormous influence over what your customers see and interact with. You want to give them plenty of space while ensuring they get a good view of the best items. Try sketching the layout before moving the rails and product displays. Try to think of the walk through the store as an experience, too. What will grab your customer’s attention? What follows the jeans section? Put yourself in the mind of the customer when sketching your sales floor.
Use High-Quality Racks and Hangers
The last thing you want is to tell your customer your quality is less than perfect. That’s why you should only use quality garment racks and hangers. That way, they will last a long time (saving you money) and provide a more aesthetically pleasing look for the store’s clothes.
Consider the material of the racks and hangers, too. You want the materials to complement the store’s surroundings. Metal would work well with a classic modern store, whereas wood would suit a more bohemian vibe.
Display Clothes on Mannequins
While plastic hangers and racks are essential, you should also display some clothes on mannequins. Doing so gives customers an idea of what the clothes will look like on their bodies. Plus, it gives you a chance to create amazing outfits using a mixture of your merchandise. You could even use mannequins in your store displays. Just make sure you hang the items nearby.
Provide a Decompression Zone
Your retail space needs a decompression zone. A decompression zone is a section at the opening of the store where the customer can get used to the change in atmosphere. Don’t flood them with big, bold signs and loud music – let them gently fold into the store’s atmosphere. It will make for a more comfortable shopping experience.
Allow Enough Space
Since COVID 19, customers now value space a lot more, so give that to them! Don’t include tight nooks and crannies when organizing your store’s layout. Instead, allow plenty of space for customers to breathe and take in your merchandise. Provide a comfortable and relaxing experience so that they are more inclined to pick up items and take them to the cash register.
Create a Centre Piece
Every store should have a focal point, so why not make yours a centerpiece that includes both your merchandise and some cool décor? Be as creative as you like to attract attention. Here are some bullet points for cool centerpiece ideas:
Mix Up the Heights
You don’t want every clothing item to be at the same level. Some items should be stored higher, and some a little lower to create a more dynamic appearance and to ensure your customers have plenty to look at. Remember, though, that you want your best, most visually-pleasing items to stay around eye level (or a little higher).
Ensure Displayed Clothes are Neat and Tidy
This one might seem obvious, but it is crucial when it comes to retail merchandising. Displaying only neat clothes is pivotal. A pile of scrunched-up or crooked T-shirts will only make your customers think they lack quality. Use the best racks and plastic hangers you can find and display every item of clothing tidily.
Focus on All Senses
Don’t just consider how the store looks – you should cover all senses to give your customers only the best experience. That includes smell, touch, and sound. Music is an excellent addition to a retail store, but be careful with your choice of songs. You want the music to match the vibe of your store, after all. Avoid playing it too loud, too, as that could put off some customers (and your staff!).
For scent, make sure the store is well ventilated and consider investing in some fragrance diffusers. Lavender, vanilla, and lemon are fresh scents that are popular with everyone!
Keep Things Rotating
To appease the regular customers and ensure your store doesn’t get dull, keep rotating the merchandise. If you’ve had the same visual display for months, people won’t even think twice about it when they pass by. Keep your store fresh, and you will generate more interest.
Use Attractive Lighting
An important element of a visually-pleasing store is attractive lighting. Don’t blind your customers with harsh lighting, but don’t leave them squinting to see designs with dull lighting either. Instead, go for attractive, layered lighting that adequately brightens the space. Use accent lighting to emphasize certain visual displays, too.
Work with Themes
Another important element of visual merchandising is theming. Different sections of the store should show off different themes. A simple one, for example, is color. You could have a section that’s all reds and pinks, and then another that’s all neutrals and another that has sunset shades like reds and oranges. The themes you choose will take your merchandising displays and make them even more eye-catching.
Promote Offers on Signs
Visual merchandising shouldn’t just show off your clothes – it should show off your deals, too. Use eye-catching signs to tell your customers where they can find the best deals in-store. You could even use lights on your signs to attract more attention. It will be one of the first things your customers see when they walk in, ensuring the sales items get sold quickly.
These visual merchandising strategies will help you increase sales in your retail business. Combine these essential elements of visual merchandising to improve the customer experience and keep them coming back for more. Remember to use our high-quality hangers and garment racks to display your store’s merchandise.