Part 1 : How to let your products shine?

What are the golden rules?

1. Before you begin arranging your merchandise, draw a plan (or “layout diagram”), which clearly defines the various product groups. This will help you decide whether to organise them by product or by brand, as well as determining which are the “star products” to showcase, etc.      

2. Remember that your products must be visible and accessible to all customers, including people with reduced mobility and shorter people. The ideal height? Between 70 cm and 1.30 m.

3. Separate products according to their target audience! If you sell products aimed at both women and men, or children and adults, separate departments by creating a visual barrier (clear signage), or a physical one, such as a counter. This saves customers from wasting time, and also prevents feelings of discomfort: for example, we know that some men feel out of place in the womenswear department.   

4. Tidy your shop floor several times a day. Clothing should always be neatly folded, products should be correctly aligned on shelves, etc. A chaotic environment sends customers mixed messages and creates the impression that you do not respect your product, perhaps implying poor quality.                                                                                                                                                            

5. Think about the interior and exterior of your shop in parallel. If the overall feel of the window display is one of abundance, the interior must also be well-stocked. But even if you stock large volumes, there must be structure and logic to your displays. If not, you risk creating “visual noise”, which could confuse your customers.                                                                                                                                         

6. Create displays showcasing their technical characteristics of your products. This helps draw attention to these attributes and make your customers aware of them, especially if they are not immediately apparent. Make sure displays of this kind are near the relevant department, so customers can find the product easily.

 

How to show off your merchandise to its best advantage? 

7. Certain items can be displayed at a height, so they are visible from different areas of the shop (as long as these articles are large enough to be seen from a distance).

8. Create an impression of abundance. By showcasing the great choice on offer, you prove your expertise and show customers that they will find what they are looking for in your shop, without saying so explicitly. However, make sure to retain a clear structure, so customers can find the product or solution they are looking for. 

9. Are you a high-end retailer? The opposite principle applies - only display a few select pieces at a time. This creates an aura of luxury and clearly reflects your brand identity.

10. Choose horizontal displays to create an impression of volume and choice (see photo below). This approach is particularly appropriate for entry-level products.

11. Use vertical displays to group items belonging to the same family, or the same item in a range of colourways. This simple and practical approach to presentation enables customers to compare similar products from several brands, or see all of the colourways in which a given item is available. 

12. To create rhythm and hold the interest of customers browsing your shop, try a symmetrical display. Products are arranged in the same formation on either side of an imaginary line running down the centre of the shelf or display. 

13. Think in colour! A simple technique to master, arranging stock by colour creates immediate visual impact and makes restocking easy.

14. If you decide to display items by colour, make sure your colour blocks are vertical, not horizontal. Customers read shelves from left to right, not from bottom to top or top to bottom. Therefore, this allows them to scan all of the merchandise at a glance. 

15. Why not try creating coordinated displays to inspire your customers? In a fashion boutique, for instance, grouping clothing and accessories of a similar style can be a good way of inspiring customers.

16. Do your customers come to you seeking a solution to a problem? Group items that meet the same need: sun protection from springtime, or the entire candle range in a homeware boutique. Grouping products according to family allows you to aim them squarely at their target audience, offering them a large choice of varieties, colours, prices, etc.

17. Display a star product on its own, under a spotlight. This will make it appear rare, and spark a desire to own it. If you want to make a certain product a focal point, demarcate the area symbolically: a rug or coloured tape on the floor can create a “visual podium” effect.