Retail displays are make or break. They can be the difference between enticing somebody into your store or watching as they simply stroll past. Although displays are one of the oldest forms of advertising in the world, they’re constantly evolving as new ideas and tactics emerge. Here’s a rundown of some of the best ways to make your display stand out from the crowd.
#1 Use digital printing
Digital printing is a form of printing that doesn’t use a traditional press or plates. Instead, an electrical image is transferred onto a material. It might sound simple, but the digital print revolution offers huge potential for retail displays. Aside from the obvious (banners and wall displays), printing companies like Soyang Europe offer customizable vinyl flooring, wallpaper, and even window graphics. That’s not to mention illuminated lightboxes, which consist of stretch textiles designed to glow when lit from behind. All of these items can be effective tools in the hands of a shrewd marketer. Using the latest innovations offered by digital printing, you can make your display stand out from the competition.
#2 Engage all the senses
It’s easy to imagine that retail displays are purely visual affairs. While attractively displaying your products is certainly important, you can do much more. Tap into as many senses as possible. Using sounds and music draws customers in. You might offer scented samples to engage the smell. Samples also help with touch, giving people something to physically interact with. Much more than static designs to be admired from afar, the most successful retail displays encourage customers to get involved.
#3 Vary the height
Offering contrasting heights helps to create layers within a display, making it more eye-catching and encouraging customers to get stuck in and interact. It’s also a relatively straightforward process that doesn’t require too much time or effort. Spreading objects between tables at waist height, containers on the floor, and hangers across the walls gives the display depth and appeal. It encourages the eye to roam between objects, drawing customers deeper into the display. This is one of the simplest but oldest tricks in the book and one that’s just as effective today as it always was.
#4 Cater to the social media crowd
Many shops (especially smaller, local establishments) live or die by their social media presence. A large social media following or a single viral post can make all the difference. As such, it’s more important than ever to have people share your displays online. Encourage customers to take photos and share them with a specific hashtag. Offering coupons and discounts to followers makes a difference too. Anything that tempts customers to press “follow” will help to build your profile over time.
#5 Group items together
By displaying similar items together, you encourage customers to imagine their utility as part of a wider context. For example, by placing a set of sunglasses along with summer clothes and sandals, you create a narrative focussed on summer and holidays. More than just firing a customer’s imagination, this strategy also presents a more coherent idea of what your display is about, encouraging customers to explore further.