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: RMUs- How Low Can We Go?

Ever wonder what some retailers are thinking when displaying their products? Is their goal just to show as much merchandise as the space allows regardless of visibility? Shouldn't it be what makes more sense- such as how easily accessible and viewed products are from the customer's viewpoint? After all, some empty space is good as it gives the eye a place to rest.

DO: The ideal lowest level of merchandise display is knee height especially for small items. This makes it easy to access and view the merchandise in relation to a customer's height.

DON'T: Really? Floor level? I realize retail carts do not have as much room to display products, however to merchandise all the way to the floor doesn't make sense. Do the operators think customers will squat down or go on their hands and knees to view these items?

Do and Don't: Retail Carts Need Visual Merchandising Too!

Most retail carts sell price point goods, hence most operators do not bother with creative displays. Don't they realize that carts are selling spaces too and thus need to maximize all opportunties to sell?

DO: Handbags displayed with their faces out attract more attention than if they were displayed sideways. Besides, customers purchase handbags for their face design, not how they look on the side.
DON'T: What a mess! Unattractive, unappealing, need I say more?!