Visual Merchandising – Creating the right look for your store

How do you approach visual merchandising in your store? Really, do you give it a thought? The truth is that many retailers give visual merchandising very little thought because they have been merchandising the same products in the same places in their stores for years. Well, it might be time to take a look around with fresh eyes and ask yourself, “how does my store really look?” You see, here’s the deal, you are surrounded by the environment of your store for hours everyday. Usually it’s not a matter of complacency that causes problems but rather a matter of familiarity. You are simply exposed to the same environment (your store) for hours, days, months and years on end and it’s difficult to backup, reenter, and take a fresh look.

You might try this: Walk into your store and rather that trying to see the whole thing, pick out a 20 feet square area. Pick the area at random, not one that you feel is special. Okay, now ask yourself these questions: Does it pop? Do the displays in the area create interest? And if you were not managing the store would they entice you to take another look?

I know these are hard things to do, but they can be very helpful in analyzing your store’s visual merchandising. Here are some more questions: Are we using color and lighting to accentuate and brand the area? Are we drawing attention to the items in the department that can improve our margin or do those items just blend in with everything around them?

“Oh, come on” you might say, “do managers really do this?” I say emphatically “Yes, the best ones do.” Today, as it has always been and always will be, it is the sum of small differences that make all the difference. Visual merchandising may seem like a small thing to you. I assure you it is not a small thing to the customers who you are trying to entice.

Interested in learning more about visual merchandising and many other things that can make huge differences in your retail operation? Then get your copy of Discovery Based Retail today!