Do and Don't: IF You Have to Really Use Slatwalls

DO: Did I ever mention I like slatwalls the least? However I do understand retailers preferring them for their versatility. However I believe there are several other fixture options to attaining the same versatility without sacrificing the look. At any rate the photo above is a DO if ever slatwalls are used. Not only is it in wood veneer, it also uses metal slat inserts that reinforce the wall and at the same time lessen the impact of horizontal lines. Filling the wall with merchandise also make the repeated patterns of line less obvious.

DON'T: This wall is a no-no. The white slats make the repeated pattern of horizontal lines more pronounced and thus I feel that it catches the eye more so than the products. Here, the wall actually devalues the very products merchandised on it. What else can be improved aside from too much negative space? Pots and pans with framed pictures? What kind of an adjacency is that?

Do and Don't: Hello? Anyone Home?!

DO: A warm and welcoming storefront converses to customers not only through signage but also its feature products.

DON'T: I was sitting outside this shop for well over half an hour and not a single soul seem to be working in this entrance section. What a wasted opportunity as many people passed by seeing this empty storefront. Avoid wasting any chance to sell!

Do and Don't: In Retail, the Lightbulb IS the Detail

When stores are encouraging interaction between shoppers and their products; such as this store providing an electrical outlet for customers to test their display lamps, the least they can do is provide the lightbulb.

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: A jacket vest with your beddings?

DO: A nice display bed presented with furniture and accessories that take advantage of multiple selling opportunities. DON'T: Sales Associate to Customer:"Oh such a beautiful bedding set, isn't it? And how about a jacket vest to go with it?!"

Do and Don't: Irrationality of Combinations

IRRATIONALITY OF COMBINATIONS
DO: Yes, there is a term for mixing unrelated items in a display. However, the catch is that they still need to belong to a single story as in this case.
The display below of table mats and plates may have nothing to do with pillows and birdcage candle holders but they belong in the same colour story. DON'T: Car mats and kitchen accessories. Hmmm. Even this will not get away with using the term irrationality of combinations.

Do and Don't: Display Merchandising

DO: A strong merchandise story is presented not only through colour and theme but also sharing the same functional end-use.

DON'T: Hardly a logical display! Clothing shown has absolutely nothing to do with home decor accessories surrounding it.