This topic is a controversial one. I have met many retailers who aren’t keen on having their cash desks moved from it location by the entrance. Why? Well, they say to deter any shoplifter. However, data show that majority of theft is caused internally by staff. In this case, why penalize shoppers who DO NOT steal and thereby suffer the … Read More
Increase Traffic by Eliminating Barriers to Entry
The goal of increasing sales is always front and centre when transforming a selling space. While there are several strategies that can be used to attain this goal, the first thing is to ensure that shoppers can easily access the selling space. This photo show how a museum gift shop increase shop penetration simply by removing barriers to entry. Their … Read More
Clearing Obstruction Yielded Highest Sales
How does one get customers to shop the entire selling space? Could it be as simple as moving obstructions out of the way? YES! In the ‘after’ photo, we simply moved the tall greeting card units to the side, near the cash wrap section. The space now becomes open and inviting. The bench in the middle was placed to ‘park’ … Read More
Why Wider Entrances Invite more Shoppers
Why are wider entrances more inviting? Well, for one, passers-by see more of what’s inside and thus, interest in exploring the selling space is higher. It is also easier to get shoppers in as they browse the front displays and naturally wander deeper into the store. In the ‘Before’ photo on the left, the already small entrance is made even … Read More
Effective Categorization = Better Sales & SErvice
What does an effective Category Plan have to do with successful retailing? Well, a lot! Case in point the right photo. A scrapbook shop traditionally presents their merchandise categorized by product type. While this means easier inventory taking for the staff, it is a nightmare for customers looking for products. Scrapbookers create books by occasion or event – such as weddings, … Read More
The Power of Power Walls
What is a POWER WALL and what does it do? Most retailers choose to create a Power Wall in order to draw shoppers to an otherwise challenged area. They also convey product dominance over a Core Category by showing a single product throughout an entire wall display. By virtue of a single product display, the strategy of Repetition is inevitable, … Read More
Showing Products IN USE Achieves Highest Sell-Through
When displaying products, the most effective way I found is to show it “IN USE”. For example, the left photo shows dog clothes closets. However, very few if any, realize they are indeed- that. The moment the display is enhanced by showing the closets “IN USE”, an immediate connection is made. Passers-by would suddenly stop on their tracks and one can … Read More
RED + TRIANGLES = SALES
Many who know me know that there are 2 things I often do when in desperation. 🙂 Such as the case you see in the photo. Glassware are a challenge to display because of its lack of visual weight and colour. One has to give thought on how to display these items to draw attention to an otherwise not so … Read More
MIRRORING is Easy and Effective
When I teach new fashion retailers how to create an effective display, I often default to the display technique called MIRRORING. This is easy to implement and is almost always fool-proof. Starting from the centre, simply create displays that ‘mirror’ the other side. Voila! Of course, also knowing the combination of face outs, side outs and folded merchandise immensely helps.
TEXTURIZING a Display
Ever wonder how some displays are so much more appealing than others? How some set-ups invite the customers’s touch- making it irresistible? The folding breakfast table in the photo used to be displayed as is, with no props and no special lighting. Although the $35 price is in itself irresistible, turnover was very poor. I created this arrangement using contrasting textures … Read More