Do and Don't: Layout-Category Placement

DO: Keep your merchandise category layout organized and logically sequenced. This makes shopping so much easier. Best of all, it encourages multiple sales between categories. Fixtures that form mini sections can create a clean delineation between categories. DON'T: Refrain from placing merchandise without careful thought of the story you would like to convey.

Do and Don't: Housekeeping- behind the cash desk

DO: Keep back of cash desks neat and tidy. Just because this is the back does not mean customers now have their blinders on. Remember, this is often where the last impression is formed.

DON'T: When did backs of cash desks become garbage storage? I was purchasing something from this store and this is the cash counter they used to process my transaction. Needless to say the cashier had a harder time bagging my items when she had to move things around to access the bags.

Do and Don't: Valentine Window Display

I realize that not all retailers can afford to hire professional visual merchandisers to do their window displays all the time. This is just fine, when having the right foundation (in this case, fixtures) and by applying some shape to the set-up can go a long way in creating an eye catching display.
DO: (Above)

1. Nesting tables set a good foundation that creates interest in a display.

2. The products placed from top to bottom invites the eye to view the entire display.

3. The diagonal line created by the bags provide eye direction.

4. The backdrop stops the eye from meandering elsewhere.

5. The strong use of the colour red cannot help but stop the eye.

DON'T:

1. Half hearted attempts at this Valentine display fail to attract positive attention.

2. The sparse merchandising and haphazardly placed merchandise look extremely unprofessional and thus, devalue the products.

3. There is really nothing that attracts the eye to this low display. Eye level is really the interior of the shop which just adds to visual clutter.

TO DO THEMED WINDOWS WELL, YOU GOTTA DO IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT

Do and Don't: Adjacent Merchandise

Someone must have taken note of the DON'T photo below.
I have often used this photo in my seminars. While this 'don't' photo was taken maybe four years ago, last month I visited the store and saw that they moved the exercise tape unit to be adjacent to fitness equipment. HALLELUJAH!

DO: Exercise tapes with fitness equipment. DON'T: Exercise tapes and watch straps?!