While reputation, experience and products will make customers return, it’s the outside of a shop that will make them enter in the first place. A window display is one of the first things most shoppers see, which is exactly why you should design to impress. Don’t know where to begin? Here are 6 tips for an inspiring window display…
1. Know your target market
Before you invest in materials, mannequins or fixtures, make sure you know your audience. Think about the type of customer you are looking to appeal to. Which products would this target market like to see and which layouts would capture their attention?
Be careful not to aim your display entirely at your target demographic, as this runs the risk of alienating others, who may otherwise visit your store.
2. Place products at the ideal height
Now you know your target market, decide on key aspects of your display and position them in customers’ eye-line. Make it easily visible, avoiding small items which may be overlooked.
Think about whether you’re looking to capture the imagination of children, adults, or even those driving past the shop when deciding on product positioning.
3. Invest in your display
Window displays can be created on a budget, however, this can sometimes be visible and even costly. By investing in the quality of materials you use, it can easily save money in the long run, as products can be used multiple times and last longer. In addition to portraying more of a premium image, props that can be used for multiple themes can make it faster to plan future displays.
4. Keep it simple
If there’s one thing that makes shoppers come instore, it’s a captivating window display, accompanied by a desire to see what else the store holds inside. Don’t place too many items in the window, as creating clutter is one of the biggest mistakes a retailer can make. Display consultant, Linda Cahan of Cahan & Co. explained: “In retailing, space equals luxury… if you cram items together in a window, they’ll look cheap. Cluttering your window will dilute the impact that your best merchandise would otherwise have on a passerby, and simply make your shop easier to ignore.”
5. Change it up
Don’t let a window display get boring. Every person passing your window should be captivated, and if they pass regularly, this should still be the case. Repeat traffic can create your best customers when regularly changing displays continue to interest them. Many stores opt to change window displays on a monthly basis, planning ahead for the year and purchasing any materials needed ahead of time.
6. Get inspired
Follow blogs, look on Pinterest and visit other stores for inspiration. There’s no harm in getting some creative ideas, and what better place to look than in the windows of your fellow retailers? Find techniques, themes and aesthetically pleasing designs that you can make your own in the future.
For more ideas on shopfitting, click here to see Modern Retail’s Guide to Shopfitting & Display.
If you enjoyed our 6 tips for an inspiring window display, why not check out Visual Merchandising: The Ultimate Guide…
Holly brings a wealth of experience in both print and digital publishing. As Modern Retail’s Content Editor, Holly is passionate about helping independent retailers to thrive in today’s ever-changing market.
