Do and Don't: RMU Romancing the Customer

I often see the sad state of displays whenever I shop. I feel sad for the beautiful products that are just placed haphazardly as if the owner didn’t care. Even marked down pieces deserve a nice set-up.

 

DO: Retail Merchandising Unit Display (RMU)

The display is given structure and several design elements are utilized. There is direction, there is shape and there is an appeal to customers to interact with products. Items are also grouped by design.

 

COULD BE BETTER:

Nice ceramic bathroom accessories are just placed on a shelf without thought for design and display appeal.

Do and Don't: Customers Pay Attention to Details

DO: This window display shows attention to detail. Everything is well laid out and the back graphics support the overall theme.

DON'T: Right across the mall hallway from the window shown above, is this window below. An otherwise beautiful window display is ruined by the backdrop. Do they think customers will not see this detail?! The implications do not stop here, what about supporting product values or rather, enhancing them?

Do and Don't: Is it Fall or is it Winter?

DO: A single idea is being sold to customers--- that it is winter and it is time to buy winter basics.

DON'T: Which season is it? Fall or the holidays?! This shop needs to sell only one idea at a time.

Do and Don't: Can't See!

GIVEN the choice, will customers still fully penetrate a selling space if they cannot view the shop or will they simply walk past it?
DO: A beautiful display setting that leads the eye from the front low table to the way to the back wall. Guess which direction customer traffic will go? They will surely visit each unit from the front to the back! DON'T: Too bad the front unit is loaded with too much merchandise that it hinders sightlines to the rest of the shop.

Do and Don't: Who Turned Off the Lights?!

DO: When majority of the merchandise is small in size, adequate lighting allow customers a good view of the items being sold. This also makes the store more inviting and sets a positive tone for shopping. DON'T: Customers have a hard time reading product labels and packaging inside this toy and games store.

Do and Don't: Lighting Premium Clothing

DO: Lighting a clothing store not only requires general lighting but also ones that can focus on specific feature items to create drama and interest. DON'T: The lighting in the store below devalues the premium clothing merchandised. This type of lighting is often used for popular price point goods not unlike those seen in grocery or warehouse type stores.

Do and Don't: Jeans Display

DO: A great looking display statement on Jeans. DON'T: Really? This is the only way one can think of to display designer jeans?!