Do and Don't: Show me the Light!

DO: Darkened areas can make a store look dramatic. In this case, eyes are drawn to feature highlights such as the focal display right at the centre and makes the power wall products visually pronounced. DON'T: A darkened area just because the lighting is inadequate or out of order is hardly the way to sell prestige cosmetics---Especially when customers are invited to test the products and see how it looks against their skin.

Do and Don't: Is It Me or Is It Dark In Here?!

DO: Lighting each shelf over and above general store lighting is a great way to make products more visible. DON'T: While there seems enough ambient lighting, shadows and dark areas abound especially on lower shelving displays. This causes a visibility issue and thus makes the products harder to sell.

Do and Don't: Lighting Wall Fixtures

DO: Lighting this disply unit from the front allows customers a good view of the merchandise. DONT: Lighting for this unit can be effective when it is layered with other lighting sources. This display made the sides brighter but the midsection dark.

Do and Don't: Lighting- How unromantic!

DO: Ensure that in-store lighting is well mainted from selling spaces to task areas such as the cash desk. Brightest spots are usually found right by the lease line, task areas and focal displays. DON'T Ignore busted light bulbs. While it may seem harmless leaving a burnt out lightbulb, remember, a selling area becomes dim and less attractive to customers. This equates to lost sales!

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: Merchandise Adjacencies

DO: Pasta and sauce makes for an excellent multiple selling display. DON'T: Candies, nuts, feminine hygiene products, anyone?!

Retail Do and Don't: Store Name

DO: Choose a store name that reflects your identity--be it locale, product selection, price point, etc. DON'T: This boutique neither sells umbrellas nor rain gear.

Retail Do and Don't: Lighting

DO: A combination of general and track lighting allows for a brighter store with accents on wall and floor unit displays. DON'T: Inadequate lighting fails to properly illuminate merchandise displays. This makes for an uninviting shopping environment.