A Little Bit of Christmas Past...

Retail displays have come along way since this little number was cutting edge!

But for now, I'm off to enjoy my holidays, so Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you - Now go do that last minute Christmas shopping.

Modular Retail Display Systems

If you're in need of some extra sales impact in your retail outlet and are looking around for the right retail display to suit your needs, but are having trouble narrowing it down to just one final selection, then maybe the answer is to go with a modular display system.

Now, before you start thinking "that sounds like some extreme hip pocket pain", just hear me out. The trick is to choose a suitable system and then slowly build on it. You might decide to start with something to attract more people into your premises, like a large advertising poster stand, for example, but you're also likely to need some extra shelving to be utilised for upcoming promotions. Then look for a portable free standing retail display stand to which you can attach large posters and display in front of your shop, which also has flexibility to accept product shelves for instore promotions.

This freestanding system shown below, also features small shelving attachments (not pictured) and would be perfect for the task:

Here is another variation on the same modular retail display theme. Only on a smaller scale and with varying display attachments - it would be perfect to fill those unused or troublesome area of you retail floor space without the expense of a custom display stand. This one doesn't even require any tools to assemble the display:

If you stock only a certain kind of product, then a more specific retail shelving or product display solution may be more suitable for you. Take a look at these two below:

I hope these examples can provide you with a little food for thought.

Good luck and good retail!

Colour Talks

Though there are some effective and eye catching retail displays stands that are works of art in themselves, often the most effective sales method is for the display stand to take a back seat and let the product take centre stage - after all the product really is the star of the show! There are exceptions and it really depends on the characteristics and features of the product, but here's a great example of keeping the display stand minimal and letting a key characteristic or feature do the talking:

This is a display stand for gay pride garden hose attachments.
Did you believe that? It's not actually anything to do with gay pride,  but they are hose attachments on display and they come in a striking array of colours. When designing the display stand for this product, the direction should have been very clear - keep the stand absolutely minimal and let the colours shine.

So when you're planning for your next retail display, be sure to identify any product characteristics that can be highlighted to create an effective and striking display. Outside of colour, this could be shape, packaging, materials or some existing promotional graphics.

Good luck and good retail!

Another Nice Wooden Shop Display Stand

I don't want to turn this into the "wooden display stand" blog, but I stumbled across this one and I thought it worth adding to the discussion due to it's different approach to construction:

This display keeps it simple, with a similar construction to a cardboard retail display stand. It's expected lifespan would not be as long as the displays and retail environments in my last post, but it's proof that the qualities of a natural timber display needn't cost the world. What's more, it's very appropriate for the product on display, which is a timber stain and demonstrates a use for wooden shop display other than the display of food stuffs.

And if you're not really in the market for a wooden display stand maybe I could interest you in some free zodiac sign symbol vectors? Are you tempted? Really, they'd look great printed on the side of nice shop display stand just like this one. Seriously, think about it.

Using Wood for Retail Display

That last little wooden counter top display stand that I posted up got me thinking about the use of timber in creating rustic-type retail displays that have the effect of providing a little retail display time travel. Back to a time when display stands were, simple, functional and dare I say it... honest. True this style of shop interior is only suited to a very small niche of retail businesses, but IMHO they are also just nice to look at. Here's a good example of a fit out for a wine merchant that uses a lot of wood for their displays and fixtures:

A very suitable application in that wine is an age old product that is produced, or at least farmed, in rural areas.

On a smaller scale this display stand below is a demonstration of wood being used appropriately for a fine food display, again invoking that natural, rustic, farm-style feel that lends itself particularly well to the display of consumables such as food and wine:

This same tactic that is being used more and more by large supermarkets and chains to counter act the disconnect between people and their food and the faceless-ness of large retail establishments. Wooden retail displays are used to create a wholesome feel that in an age where people again long to feel connected with the source of their food. Some might call it smart marketing, while some may be a little more cynical - I'll let you be the judge.

An Earthy (and Likely Smelly) Display Stand

 

Just thought I'd post up a little inspiration for the modern day hippies out there, or those of you that have alternative type businesses - even the alternative crowd are out to make a buck these days.

I like the way that this display uses carved timber to create a natural feel, then contrasts that with some eye catching colour. The repetition of the incense sticks also helps to draw the viewer's eye - and I'm sure there is an effect on your nose as well.

All in all a nice catchy little display that's a little out side the box.

Six Retail Display Tips to get Your Register Ringing!

Retail is tough!

Even if your product is totally unique, there’s always competition. There is undoubtedly another shop down the street aiming for your customers' wallet. Your customers cash is limited, but their choices of where to spend it are infinite. And although there is a wide range of success factors in retail, the choice of display stand is one of the key factors in attracting customers and enticing them to spend.

• Do your display stands attract and interest the customer?
• Are the displays busy and possibly overwhelming and confusing the viewer?
• Is the display eyecatching and remarkable?

Here’s 6 sure fire tips to help you create retail and shop displays that will get the customers' attention:

1. Focal point, focal point, focal point!

Overwhelming or a boring displays and display stands can both suffer the same problem - No focal point! You need to think about the following:

• Where will your customers want to look?
• Is there a central feature you want them to notice?
• How will the eye travel through the display?

Don't just leave this to chance – take control and plan what the customer should do when they see the display. Is it a new product that’s the focal point, with complimentary items placed in close proximity to encourage multiple sales, or is a printed or digital advertisement your most effective sales tool?

Many table displays and window presentations are too low. The focal point must be at eye level to the majority of views – this is at between 1200 – 1500mm. With so much stimulation in the average shopping environment, anything that isn’t right in front of the consumer is lost – you’ve got to make it as easy as possible

2. Use the basic design elements of line and shape

Don't just put your products together willy-nilly. Practice drawing a quick layout to help you visualize the plan for your design – don’t say “But I can’t draw”, it doesn’t need to be a work of art, just something to help you visualise your display or display stand.

• Will your layout be horizontal or vertical?
• Will the products be arranged in straight or curved lines, in a pyramid or circular shape?
• Will the design combine a variety of elements, or just one?

To experiment with this, draw rectangle that is roughly the same shape as your display space. Sketch geometric shapes such as squares, rectangles, circles, semi-circles and triangles in various combinations to get a sense of an appealing and functional layout.

3. Create balance

Effective displays have visual balance. Dark colours are visually heavier than lighter shades and large objects appear heavier than small ones. It may seem obvious now, but do you consciously consider this factor when building displays? It’s a more scientific approach than just rearranging things until they just “look right”.

Generally larger, darker items would be placed near the bottom of a display and lighter items at the top to avoid appearing top heavy. Placing too many items, or heavy looking items on one side appears unbalanced. A grouping of many items on one side of the display can be balanced by one heavy item in just the right place on the other side. Think of weights on an old fashioned scale to get an idea of how this works.

“The only balance I care about is the balance in my cash register”- True, that’s the end game, but this is how we get there. We all respond emotionally to visual stimuli and creating a display is about creating a mood and a desire within the consumer – a mood to buy. Lack of balance creates an impression of instability and anxiousness and even if the consumer is not even aware of the feeling, he or she will search out an environment or shop display stand that gives them a positive feeling.

4. KISS: Keep it Simple, Stupid!

You don’t want to try and do too much and end up with a mess. The goal is to attract attention to the product. Simple geometric rows are often the best way to display you product to shoppers. Too often I have seen displays where every row or shelf has a different arrangement and all the focal point are lost.

It’s got to be easy for the customer to find what they are looking for and to make sense of the products on display. So keep your groupings logical by grouping similar products together, then complimentary products nearby. Some “air” in your shop can also help people have an overview of your displays and find exactly what they’re looking for.

5. Be Bright! Use suitable lighting

Lighting is overlooked far too often despite it being an absolutely critical factor in the “feel” and mood of you shop. When budgeting for store fixtures and merchandising, display lighting is not an extra – it’s an investment. Illuminating displays properly can be the difference between a retail display that has people passing by or commands their attention to an exciting presentation of colour and order.

Retail or shop displays should not be lit directly from the above, or you’ll get dark and unattractive shadows reducing your display’s impact. Lights should be slightly off to the side, and to the front of the display, enhancing the 3-dimensional quality of the product. Ideally your retail display will be lit from multiple angles and lighting will need to be adjusted every time you refresh your display.

Without good adjustable display lighting on display stands and shop windows, you’re fighting an uphill battle. Find yourself a good lighting store and maximise your displays today – or your losing customers (and money!) by the minute.

6. Seeing your display as a 3D object

When you’ve got together the basic concept of your display, step back and look at it, but not just from the front, very few people will see it standing directly in front of it. And most displays are approached from the side, or the back or across the room!

Put yourself in the customers shoes and approach your display from all possible angles and view it as a customer would.

• Where’s the focal point and is it placed appropriately?
• Should the display stand be angled to the shopper’s viewpoint?
• Is the signage visible and readable?
• Have you managed to keep a balanced design?

Despite the 3D nature of displays, there is still an optimal viewing angle and you need to make sure that it’s the one that most of the customers will see – just don’t get 100% stuck on it at the cost of all else.

So there you go! My six simple retail display stand tips to create amazing, dynamic displays that command customer’s attention and are sure to get your registers ringing!

Good luck and good retail!

Retail Display Stands That Sell!

Hi and welcome to Retail Display Stands - The Definitive Guide. With in the posts of this blog you'll find everything you need to help you choose and get the utmost from your shop displays. Choosing the right display for your businesses needs can be a daunting task regardless of whether you're just starting out in Retail or you're a veteran. And as more and more display products come on to the market it only gets harder!

Like, is the investment in LCD video displays worth the cost, or are tried and trusted A-board or A-frame signs a better value for money option? There's plenty of big questions when you're talking retail display stands and I'll be doing my level best to answer some of them and make choosing your Retail or Shop display a simple and rewarding (that's in $$$ terms of course) experience.

Cheers, Jeff.

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