Palmer Retail Solutions Blog

10 Tips for Creating Eye-Catching Retail Store Displays

Posted by Kathy Heil on Oct 11, 2016 11:33:28 AM

Create Eye-Catching Retail Store DisplaysHow you display the merchandise in your store is as important as what you choose to sell. Even the most amazing products won’t move if you don’t entice shoppers to come in the door and keep them intrigued once they arrive. Without eye-catching retail store displays, your sales are destined to slump. So we're here to help, with ten tips for eye-catching retail store displays.

Reach out with head-turning windows

People are busy. They will breeze past your store unless you give them a reason to slow down and look. Studies show you have just 2.5 seconds to do that. So you need retail store displays with double-take power. Start by visualizing your window.

1. Give your window a focal point that makes a statement. Then build up and out around it to give your display height and dimension. Make sure the focal point is actually at eye level, where it’s easily eye-catching. Since store windows are often elevated (and, occasionally, lower than street level), stand outside to find your focal point and mark it on the window with a piece of tape. That will give you a handy point of reference as you’re working. 

2. Give your display balance. Larger, darker items have more visual weight than smaller, lighter color ones, so place them lower. Think about side-to-side balance, too. But avoid perfect symmetry. It may look perfect, but it's not natural, so it actually makes our eyes uncomfortable. And perfect sameness doesn’t invite the eye to explore, either.  

3. Tell a story with theme-based windows. But give ‘em something they don’t expect. Shopify suggests “Nutcracker” instead of “Christmas,” of “Cupid’s Mischievousness” instead of the standard “Valentine.” 

4. Be bold, with bright colors or shapes or unusual props that grab attention. But be simple. Cluttery displays are eye-watering, not eye-catching, because nothing registers. 

5. Light it up. Don’t use direct overheads, because they cast strong shadows.

6. Change your windows often enough to keep people intrigued. And keep them dusted. Speaking of dust, sparkling clean windows are critical, because grime says unpleasant things about your store. Cobwebs are OK for Halloween, but even then, make sure they’re fake. 

Killer windows get them in the door. Then what?

Many of the principles that apply to windows also apply to interior retail store displays. These displays have to give customers a quick overview of what’s available and where. But they also have to draw the eye to featured displays or items. 

7. Put your newest, hottest, most coveted merchandise in the most prominent spot. Relocate displays every couple of weeks, moving older merchandise toward the back and opening the front of your store for new arrivals.

8. Use pyramidal displays and groups of three to catch the eye. You can group items by product type, or create a display focused on two or three colors. Resist the temptation to create monochromatic displays, because nothing will stand out to catch the eye.

9. Place merchandise between eye-level and knee-level, so it’s easy to spot and easy to pick up. Keep backup stock handy, so shoppers don’t have to “rob” your display.

10. And light, light, light your handiwork.

Follow these tips, and you’re sure to have eye-catching retail store displays, outside and in.

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