Do and Don't: Printing Price Signs

Printing prices or handwriting them? Of course handwriting them is so much easier but it also comes across as home-made and very unprofessional unless the handwriting is consistent and beautifully executed.

 

DO: If your handwriting is less than perfect, opt for a printer. It adds business credibility and supports the products’ value.

 CAN BE IMPROVED: Selling formal wear requires a higher standard than those selling regular casual wear. This is due to the difference in price points and also product values. In more cases than not, a professionally finished price tag is necessary.

 

 

Do and Don't: A Window is NOT a Stockroom

It never ceases to amaze me when retailers fail to treat their shop windows with the respect it deserves. What a wasted opportunity– a chance to attract attention and sell the very merchandise on display. Too bad!

DO: With space at a premium the window is used as an introduction to what customers may expect inside the store. What an inviting display!

DON’T: This picture says it all– how the retailer simply must not care anymore. It does not matter whether one is a discount retailer or even a resell shop. Merchandise must be treated with dignity or else customers fail to appreciate its value.

Do and Don't: Brand Names on Windows

Ever been tricked into entering a store thinking they'd have an item they really don't? Doesn't that just tick you off?! That's what happened to me in this 'don't' photo.

DO: Brand names attract customer attention. In this case, the Hunter brand is supported by the Hunter rain boots displayed immediately below the sign. This makes shopping easy by informing customers the shop has the brand and as one can immediately see, carries an assortment of Hunter merchandise.

DON'T: Where's the Crocs?! I made the mistake of thinking (as I am sure others were led to believe too) that Crocs now make these pretty wedged sandals displayed in the window.  I was anticipating these super comfy sandals but when I got inside, I was informed that these very sandals weren't made by Crocs. So why label the window Crocs? Maybe it was a trick to get me inside the shop to try them on? Well, as a trick to get me in, it worked, but what a disappointment!

Do and Don't: Light Up!

Do you know that the brightest stores catches the most eyes? Ditto with the brightest spots inside a selling space, hence features and focals gets the most light. I am not saying to equally light up the entire floor, as lighting when used properly, can create drama and lead the eye from one point to the next. That is why I often feel bad for stores who are not aware of this. Not only are they losing "eyes" they are also losing sales.

DO: A nice bright clean window display attracts a good amount of attention. The lighting is bright enough to fight the outside glare so merchandise on display is easily seen. Not only does this window display attract attention, I also notice customers walking in looking for a specific piece they saw in this window.

DON'T: When a space is dark, most customers often ignore it. Such a waste of a great opportunity to showcase the shop's merchandise. It was difficult to take a good photo of this window due to the reflection from the main mall corridor. I had to struggle to find an angle that shows the merchandise best. The reflection of brighter things across this window is more dominant than the very products being sold.

Do and Don't: Do you walk looking up?!

Its funny how some retailers assume customers walk with their heads tilted up. This is evident in the signage they install not only in their shop windows but also inside the store. Some stores put up their signs too high with small print that I am not sure whose attention they expect to catch. Don't they realize we humans walk looking forward, turning our heads comfortably 45 degrees left or right? I say 9' high as their highest is good for directional signs as we expect to look up to search for directions (e.g. exits, washrooms, etc). However for large store signs, I say 6-8' high is workable. For signs that announces an event with small print, don't you think eye level is best?

DO: This is a good height for the shop's announcement poster (left). Its easy to read and one can't miss this.

DON'T: Does the store really expect customers to notice this sign while walking past this window? Much less, read it? It might be my age or the reflection from the mall lighting  but I tried reading the sign's small print and no matter how hard I try, I simply could not.

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: Worn and Torn

DO: Storefront or window signs are a great way to attract customer attention. Hence careful inspection of this for signs of wear and tear is a MUST. After all, this sets the customers' first impression of your store.

DON'T: Not only is this sign worn around the edges, there is a big hole right in the middle too!

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: The Romance of the Holidays

DO: A select few pieces is showcased dramatically with the use of colour and simple props to convey a strong message of holiday gift giving.

DON'T: A holiday window display needs more appeal than the one seen below. The display not only fails to multiple sell within a set, it hardly encourages customers to even want the items displayed. Jewelry is a gift of love and romance. Its absence in this window is simply too jarring.

Do and Don't: What is Being Sold?

DO: Having text on the window acts like a title to the story being sold. It immediately conveys the store's message to the shopper. Crucial to the placement of the text is its position in the window. It should not hinder sightlines to the main selling point which is around the mannequins' chest area. Placing the text around hip level of the mannequins is a smart move.CAN DO BETTER: In this window, the text is more prominent that the products being promoted. The positioning of the text covers the window's main selling point which is right around the mannequins' chest area.

Do and Don't: Where's the Romance?

DO: What a beautiful and eye catching jewelry display. Not only is the display eye to waist level, the message is conveyed through a fairy tale story. Makes me wish upon a star for the necklace on display. DON'T: This jewelry display is simply too low. Right at eye level, one sees a blank wall. There is also nothing special displayed, just a mass merchandising presentation. Where's the romance in this?

Do and Don't: Is that Junk I see on the Window?

DO: A great seasonal window display-- it effectively conveys target market, expected price points and product selection being promoted. DON'T: So sad they ran out of space for inventory and they just stacked all boxes right behind this window display. Note that customers can see past a display- whether it is in the window, behind the cash desk or tucked underneath a wall display.

Do and Don't: Windows as Selling Opportunities

DO: Windows are a great opportunity to commence the selling process. Take this opportunity to dress mannequins in the latest arrivals and entice customers to come in for a closer look. DON'T: Apart from being bare, this window mannequin gets the wrong kind of attention. This also shows lack of attention and care for business.

Do and Don't: Holiday Displays

DO: A relatively inexpensive holiday display that maintains product and brand values. DON'T: Dollar store finds often work when integrated with other elements within a theme. However the example below of haphazardly hung garlands and mismatched bows serve to effectively devalue the store's brand and merchandise.

Do and Don't: Window Displays

DO: Keep text consistent to display. DON'T: I see solids, I see checks, where's the faded florals?

Do and Don't: Lighting Displays

DO: Light displays properly. Spot on the brand, flood on the body forms. DON'T: Ignore the main display. Direct eye to the bust form by adjusting light to focus on it.

Do and Don't: Window Displays

DO: Create a window display showing an abundance of related merchandise.DON'T: A near empty window that is not only dark but also uninviting fails to attract attention.

DO and DON'T: SEASONAL WINDOW DISPLAYS
DO: A beautiful spring window reflects the current season. DON'T: This photo was taken in May. Graphics that depict a winter scene must be taken down by February at the latest. Merchandise displayed must also reflect the season's colours.