How to Design a Retail Display That Attracts Customers and Boosts Sales
Retail displays are more than just functional pieces of furniture that display your products. They are also powerful marketing tools that can attract customers and boost sales. A well-designed retail display can create a memorable shopping experience that sets your brand apart from your competitors. But how do you design a retail display that attracts customers and boosts sales? Here are some tips and best practices to help you create an effective and appealing retail display.
1. Choose the right type of display for your products and goals
There are different types of retail displays that you can use to showcase your products, such as:
- Window Displays: These are the displays that you see from outside the store, and they are the first impression that customers get of your brand. Window displays can help you catch the attention of passers-by, create curiosity, and entice them to enter your store.
- Endcap Displays: These are the displays that you see at the end of the aisles, and they are the most visible and accessible displays in the store. Endcap displays can help you highlight your best-selling or promotional products, create a sense of urgency, and encourage impulse purchases.
- Island Displays: These are the displays that you see in the middle of the store, and they are the most versatile and flexible displays in the store. Island displays can help you create a focal point, showcase a variety of products, and create a thematic or seasonal display.
- Wall Displays: These are the displays that you see along the walls of the store, and they are the most space-efficient and cost-effective displays in the store. Wall displays can help you maximize your product exposure, create a consistent and coherent look, and optimize your store layout.
Depending on the type of products you sell, the amount of space you have, and the goals you want to achieve, you can choose the right type of display for your store. You can also mix and match different types of displays to create a dynamic and diverse retail display.
2. Use the right colors, lighting, and signage to enhance your display.
The colors, lighting, and signage of your display can have a significant impact on your customers' mood, perception, and behavior. You can use these elements to enhance your display by following these guidelines:
- Colors: Colors can evoke different emotions and associations, so you need to choose colors that match your brand identity, product benefits, and target audience. You also need to consider the contrast and harmony of the colors. You want your display to stand out from the background, but not clash with it. You also want your display to complement each other, but not blend in with each other. A good rule of thumb is to use the 60-30-10 rule, which means that 60% of your display should be the dominant color, 30% should be the secondary color, and 10% should be the accent color.
- Lighting: Lighting can highlight your products, create a focal point, and set the mood of your store. You need to choose the right brightness, color temperature, and type of lighting for your display. Brightness refers to the intensity of the light, and it should be appropriate for the type of products you sell and the ambiance you want to create. Color temperature refers to the hue or tone of the light, and it can affect how your products and colors look, as well as how your customers feel. Warm lighting (yellowish) can make your products look more natural and appealing, and create a relaxing and welcoming mood. Cool lighting (bluish) can make your products look more crisp and modern, and create a stimulating and energetic mood. Type of lighting refers to the different ways you can use lighting to create different effects, such as ambient, accent, decorative, or task lighting. Ambient lighting provides the general illumination of your store, while accent lighting draws attention to specific products or areas. Decorative lighting adds aesthetic appeal and personality to your store, while task lighting helps customers and staff perform certain activities, such as reading labels or checking out.
- Signage: Signage can communicate your brand message, product information, and special offers to your customers. You need to choose the right font, size, and placement of your signage for your display. Font refers to the style and shape of the letters, and it should reflect your brand personality and product features. Size refers to the height and width of the letters, and it should be legible and visible from a distance. Placement refers to the location and orientation of the signage, and it should be easy to find and read.
By using the right colors, lighting, and signage, you can create a visually appealing and persuasive retail display that attracts customers and boosts sales.
3. Tell a story with your display
A retail display is not just a collection of products; it is also a way to tell a story. By creating a narrative with your display, you can capture the attention of customers and keep them engaged. You can tell a story with your display by following these steps:
- Identify the theme and message of your story. What is the main idea or concept that you want to convey with your display? What is the benefit or value proposition of your products? For example, if you sell skincare products, you might want to tell a story about how your products can help customers achieve healthy and radiant skin.
- Select the products and props that support your story. What are the products that you want to feature in your display? What are the props that you can use to enhance your story? For example, if you sell skincare products, you might want to feature your best-selling or new products, and use props such as flowers, plants, or mirrors to create a natural and beautiful setting.
- Arrange the products and props in a logical and appealing way. How do you want to organize your products and props in your display? How do you want to create a flow and sequence for your story? For example, if you sell skincare products, you might want to arrange your products in the order of use, such as cleanser, toner, moisturizer, etc. You might also want to create a hierarchy of importance, such as placing the most important or popular products at eye level or in the center of the display.
By telling a story with your display, you can create a memorable and meaningful shopping experience for your customers.
4. Test and optimize your display
The final step in designing a retail display is to test and optimize it. You need to measure the performance and impact of your display and make adjustments as needed. You can test and optimize your display by following these methods:
- Observe customer behavior and feedback. How do customers react to your display? Do they stop, look, touch, or buy your products? Do they ask questions, give compliments, or make suggestions? You can observe customer behavior and feedback by using your own eyes, cameras, or sensors. You can also ask customers directly for their opinions or use surveys or feedback forms.
- Analyze sales data and metrics. How do your sales change after implementing your display? Do you see an increase or decrease in sales volume, value, or frequency? Do you see a difference in sales performance between different products, locations, or times? You can analyze sales data and metrics by using your point-of-sale system, inventory system, or analytics tools.
- Compare and benchmark your display. How does your display compare to your previous or alternative displays? How does your display compare to your industry or competitors' displays? Do you see any improvement or decline in your display performance or impact? You can compare and benchmark your display by using historical data, market research, or mystery shopping.
By testing and optimizing your display, you can evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of your display, and identify areas of improvement and innovation.
Designing a retail display that attracts customers and boosts sales is a challenging but rewarding task. By following the tips and best practices in this article, you can create a retail display that showcases your products, enhances your brand image, and creates a positive and memorable shopping experience for your customers. You can also use Strikingly's tools and features to help you create stunning and effective retail displays, both in-store and online.