Do and Don't: Am I Really THIS Short?!

DO: I love how open display items are so reachable and invites customers' touch!
DON'T: Funny story here- I needed to buy the loofah sponge on the top of the column. The step ladder the shop provides couldn't even reach that height. And of course, there is no sales associate around to provide assistance. When I finally found one, I had to wait a full 8 minutes so they can wheel in a taller ladder. Why all the fuss? Why not just display vertically instead of horizontally so all items are reachable?!

Do and Don't: For the Vertically Challenged

DO: I like how merchandise is displayed vertically from top to bottom rather from side to side. This introduces customers to new products as they scan left to right. Best of all, for vertically challenged people like me, I can access any product.

DON'T: Well, more in the 'category of could be better' than a real don't. Depending on customer height, the brown boxes will sell faster than the gold ones, which can only be reached when I tippy-toe.

Do and Don't: Eye level displays SELL!

Two Shoe Warehouse shops: Which one will be easier to buy from? Well, better yet, which one can you see and touch (if you are normal height)?

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: 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.