Suggestion and Donation Boxes

They may not be the first product you think of when you're thinking of adding to your suite of display fixtures, but a suggestion box can be a great way to start a conversation with your customers. People are more likely to give candid and truthful feedback when they can put it down anonymously on a piece of paper, so they are a reliable means of getting customers thoughts on your products, service and staff. Let's face it, if people are encountering a major roadblock in the buy process, you need to know about it!

As an added bonus, when people do leave you a suggestion or comment, you can also use the form that they fill out to collect some customer infomation that you can then use to respond to their ideas or complaints and thus begin a conversation that may become a valueable long term asset. An example of this is that if a customer has made a complaint, you could in turn offer them an exclusive discount, that may make up for their grievances, but more importantly, may get them back into your store when otherwise they might have been lost.

And for when it comes to employing a donation box, this works more as a positive branding excersise, which of course also has the primary function of helping out your charity of choice - it's a win-win!

Media Backdrop Banners Are Here

Have you ever found yourself dreaming, that rather than having to spend all that time putting together elaborate shop window displays, you could get your hands on a huge banner stand that you could simply place in your shop window and let the graphics do the talking?

OK, so you probably haven't, but now that I've brought it up, what do you think? If sounds like your cup of tea, you might be keen to know that pull up banners as large as 2.4 x 2 meters are available!

Usually they are refered to as Media Backdrops, as they are commonly used as a backdrop to press conferences as well as sometimes as a backdrop display for television interviews with sports men and women.

Large banner stands like these are are also used at trade shows and exhibitions, where they excel due to the fact that they are so easy to mover around - the large banner retracts into the banner dispays base, the whole unit is packed up in its carry bag for transport.

Anyway there's no need to dream - it's a reality. Media backdrops are here and they're just begging to be used as retail displays... so go for it!

Ten Steps for Lucrative Point of Sale Displays

For years marketers and major brands have known it, but now these days there is also is a wealth of consumer research proving that Point of Sale display material drives incremental retail sales.

The effectiveness of this advertising combined with falling print and production costs means that this form merchandising is no longer just for the big boys. If you’ve ever considered jumping on this profitable retail band-wagon, but not know where to start, here are some of the key steps in developing a successful Point of Sale advertising campaign…

1. Your Point of Sale display must carry a ‘call to action’ message
2. The display message be read and understood at a glance
3. The most effective results are achieved by linking the display with other in-store advertising or a broader external advertising campaign
4. Sales representatives or retail staff must be well informed on exactly how to assemble and where to place your POS display
5. On that note, retail staff must be informed if there is an exclusive offering that goes along with the display
6. Furthermore, retail staff can be offered an incentive to suggestively sell your deal to customers.
7. Be sure that the proposed Point of Sale elements is durable enough to last the life of the promotion
8. It must be considered that all Point of Sale items be cost effectively distributed to their retail destinations
9. To ensure ongoing value from your Point of Sale advertising campaigns, be sure that results can be effectively monitored and measured
10. Increasingly, it is desired (and often specified) that Point of Sale displays are able to be easily and efficiently recycled.

By bearing these points in mind while planning and designing you next Point of Sale promotion, you’ll be able to avoid pitfalls and give yourself the best chance for success in this lucrative, yet often overlooked form of advertising. Good luck!

by Jeff Parry

Window Displays: Dress to Impress in Just 3 Seconds!

Here’s a frightening statistic - On average a shop window display has just 3 seconds to convert passers-by into customers. Go on, count to three… 1, …2, …3. There! You just lost a customer!

With that in mind, let’s not waste any more time. First off we’ll start with the very basics of what your window display will need to have any chance of impressing on your next wave of potential customers:

Three seconds to impress. Is your message getting through?

Calling All Shoppers
Window displays need not only to capture the attention of passers-by, but also to motivate shoppers to act on their interest. Think about it… these people are out there shopping - they want to buy things! Your job is to convince them that your product is the answer to all their woes and to give them a good reason to buy it right NOW! First and foremost there must be a clear call to action.

A subtle call to action. Are you getting this message?

You’re Selling What?
This seems a little obvious, but you’d be surprised how often it is over-looked. Shoppers need to understand exactly what it is that you’re selling. I can almost hear you saying it: “I’m not an idiot! Of course they get what I’m selling!” And don’t get me wrong, I’d never say you’re an idiot, just be sure to double check that the actual product hasn’t been lost in the creative masterpiece of your window display.

What about this one? Are you getting the message? Or just getting blinded by the light?

Are We Clear?
You need to send a clear message. And to send a clear message, you need to be clear on what your message is. Are we clear? OK, good. But this point isn’t over yet. The clearest message in the world won’t make you a cent in sales if it’s a message that people aren’t interested in hearing. This, of course, comes down to knowing your market. It’s a topic far too vast to cover here and something that I sincerely hope you already have under control - or we might as well just put down our pens and pencils and go home!

OK, we counted down those three seconds and are agreed on how very brief the “window” of opportunity really is. And now we’ve also got the most basic of window display basics under control. But, unfortunately now I’ve got some more bad news for you.

The reality of your situation may be even more brutal than those 3 seconds suggest. You may have the misfortune to be situated near to an extremely well-resourced department store’s window display, a TV store with vast numbers of synchronised screens, or maybe even a troupe of incredibly acrobatic street performers.

This may make life a little difficult

Whatever it is, this surrounding “clutter” must be conquered.

It’s a simple concept, but when you consider that it might actually be well considered and thoughtfully executed clutter that has been put in place by the marketing teams of your opposition (I’m not talking about the acrobats now), then you’re talking about a marketing war. And it’s a war that you can’t afford to lose.

So how do you go about constructing a mighty window display that conquers all clutter and win the hearts and minds of today’s battle wary consumer? In just 3 seconds?

Sheeeesssh…. I don’t know…. that sounds really hard! And in truth the specifics really depend on a lot of variables such as the nature of your business, the size and location of your window display and the products you offer. But don’t despair, what I can tell you are some things that you absolutely, positively mustn’t do! And the majority of the time, that’s half the battle won. So here we go again:

• Don’t try to say (or display) too much. Tell too many stories in a limited space results in nothing but clutter – and clutter isn’t a story that anyone wants to hear. You’ve heard it before, but less really is more! A strong, clear statement will always triumph over the 'I am trying to sell you everything' approach.

 Less display, more impact!

• “Apples with Apples” is another basic principle of effective visual merchandising. Don’t be tempted to split your displays and thus dilute your window’s message. Despite some popular theories on today’s fragmented market places, consumers still appreciate the value of an expert. Set yourself up as this expert by ensuring your window displays convey the clear message that you are 'in the business' of the product that’s on display. Being the expert on that product or service gives shoppers a great reason as to come into your shop – even if they are not intending to buy.

  "Apples with apples"
• Don’t forget to have strong visual cues inside your shop. Remember that call to action I talked about? Clearly repeat this with your in-store displays and signage. Think of it as holding the hand of your visitors and walking them from the entrance of you shop through to the products location within. With out this link, even the most perfectly plotted and executed window display falls down.
   
• Nothing speaks louder to your customers that you’re a static business bereft of ideas than a static window display doing nothing more than collecting dust week after week. Continual renewal is key, so get inspired and in turn you’ll inspire your customers!
   
• Shine a little light. Lighting is an often over looked component of window displays (as well as in-store displays). And considering that it can make or break even the best displays, it’s a detail that nobody can afford to neglect. Check that the lighting is strong enough and directed on the promotional piece, product or the statement that is key to your message.
• Get back to basics. While your busy getting inspired, be sure your not neglecting the basics. The classic shapes of the pyramid, zig zag, fan or step are visual merchandising main-stays because they work! Many an effective window display has been built using these shapes as the base frameworks within the window and there’s no reason that yours shouldn’t be the next.
   
  
  
The classics are classics for good reason! 
• Visual merchandising is a specialised skill in itself. In fact it’s a combination of skill, education, artistic creativity, science and invention. You wouldn’t have an inexperienced floor staff member do your accounting for you and you should think of your visual merchandising in the same way. Having a specialist visual merchandiser do your window displays may cost a little more, but can triple its worth in sales.
   
• Finally, be sure to walk the talk. If your window display is as successful as you hope it to be, it is critical that you deliver on the promise of the window. When a customer is engaged and then let down, due to a stock shortage you undermine not only the current display, but the ability of your business as a whole to deliver on its word.

What do you think? Feeling a little more prepared for battle? I hope so.

Just remember, if you avoid the above mistakes and adhere to basic merchandising principals, you’re already well on your way to ensuring that your window display efforts are victorious. Good luck

Author: Jeff Parry

A Great Little Retail Article

I've been trawling for Display Stand and Visual Merchandising articles this morning. There is a lot of pretty poor and uninformative articles around when it comes to the topic of Retail Display, but I've managed to find one that has some great little tips and should help any retailer increase sales by simply making the most of the display space they already have available. How does that sound?

The six tips are as follow:

1. The only way is up!
2. More is more!
3. Shine a little light!
4. Razzle dazzle ‘em!
5. Focus, Spotlight, Highlight!
6. Repeat, Re-shuffle and Renew!

Obviously that won't make a lot of sense to you, but they should get you thinking enough to go and have read of the rest of this great retail article. Otherwise, good luck and... Happy Retailing.