Windows and Displays

Overview: When you own a shop, your displays and windows are the first chance you have to make an impression on  customers. They can draw shoppers in — or drive them away. Customers can tell a lot about a store by its windows and displays. Think of them as three-dimensional billboards that highlight your shops image, whether that’s practical, traditional, trendy, fun, unique or sophisticated.

Don’t Overdo it:  Less is more when it comes to display windows. A cluttered window is less appealing to the eye, and featured items can get lost.

Focus on Products: Make your products the focus of your display. Use supporting props. Make them compliment not distract from your products.

Use Good lighting: The goal of lighting is to highlight the products within the overall display. Also check if it is strong enough if the sun is out.

Stack Products well:   Place items in the window at varying heights and depths to catch peoples attention and make the display visually interesting.

Be Creative: Let your imagination run free and draw customers into your store with innovative, attractive, and compelling displays.

Have a Theme: Keep your window theme consistent, whether it’s Halloween, Christmas, or back-to-school season, and decorate to that theme.

Draw in Drivers: If your potential customers drive rather than walk, make your display larger and use more color to get their attention .

Use Backdrops: Backdrops are useful tools for creating dramatic displays and separating the window from the store.

Have Enough Stock:  Don’t draw customers in to buy products that you don’t have enough of. They are likely to leave if you don’t have what is displayed.

Shop Layout:  Shop layout is critical. It should focus on making products accessible, make sales, support your brand, and stock security.

Layout Logic:  Making the layout of your shop logical to customers helps sales. Ensure products are laid out in an understandable way.

Present Products: A good layout draws customers through the shop and presents many purchasing options along the way.

Place Products:  Popular items placed along the perimeter or to the back of the store mean that customers must pass other products as they browse. 

Impulse Products: Impulse products can be placed near the cash register so that people waiting in line will make a last-second decision to buy. 

Eye Lines: Arrange displays in a way that does not block the  customer’s view of the rest  of the shop and the products that are on offer.

View Lines: Window displays can be used to  help customers to see the rest of the shop.  Arrange them with gaps to let customers see into the shop.

Outside Displays: Outside displays can be used to attract customers. Always have an invitation to enter the store. That is where people buy from you.

Signs and Labels: Always print signs and labels. Poorly produced visuals create a bad first impression and put customers off buying.

Window Stickers: Ensure that adverts or stickers are placed tidily and  are easy for customers to read. Out of date ones should be removed.

Visual Clutter:  Customers make their impression of a business at first glance. Make sure your visuals are clear and visible to customers. 

Staff Dress: Staff should dress to fit  your businesses image.  A good business dress code is as important as a brand identity.

Night Lights: Many people pass your business after it is closed at night. A well lit widow can be used to advertise the next days offers and opening hours

Use Colour: Colour is a very effective way to attract a customers attention especially at night. Place colourful items prominently on displays. 

Brand It: Everything that a customer takes out of the shop should be branded. This includes wrapping, bags, receipts and brochures.