Summer can signal a slowdown in shopping as consumers head off on vacation and spend their days outdoors, enjoying the weather. While this allows retailers plenty of time to start prepping their strategy for the winter spending spree leading up to the holidays, it can be understandably tough on the bottom line in the meantime.

What can you do to avoid this hit to sales and profits? How can you get summer shoppers in the door and encourage spending? The first step is to prep your store as a means of catching the eyes of passersby and encouraging shoppers to peruse your summer merchandise. Here are just a few tips to stock up for summer retail displays and make the most of the season.

Clothing Displays

During the summer and the weeks leading up to the season, you’ll want your summer stock of tees, tanks, and swimwear on prominent display, and there are a few good ways to put these items front and center. First and foremost, you need to think about practical concerns like whether to put items on hangers or shelves. Strappy items like swimsuits and tanks may display better on hangers, while a large selection of tees could be more economically stored on shelving or tee shirt displays.

You also need to consider displays. Will you create displays with full-size mannequins or simply use jersey forms? When it comes to summer clothing, you hardly need a full-size mannequin, and yet, if you want to create summery tableaus in your front window or a central area of the store, full-size mannequins in action poses can deliver both a showcase for outfits and a glimpse of the lifestyle that comes with buying your merchandise.

If you want to lure shoppers into your store, you’re going to need a hook, and creative window displays stocked with mannequins or jersey forms featuring the latest swimwear and summer clothing is the best way to reel people in. From there, you should consider how to grab attention in-store with creative displays that feature attractive lighting, cross-merchandising opportunities, and even elements like a video for promotion and entertainment.

Accessory Displays

Extras like sunglasses, hats, and jewelry can get lost in the shuffle as you set up your summer displays, but don’t underestimate the appeal of accessories when it comes to creating the perfect summer look. These items should be prominently displayed, not only in windows and on mannequins, but also in special countertop displays in your store.

Whether you give them wall space, place them on kiosks, or set up attractive display racks at the point of sale, you need to make sure you have the right foundational pieces in place to properly display your summer accessories.

Shop Local with Community Sales

Talk to other retailers in your city or town about creating a large city-wide sidewalk sale. Shopping local is trending and your bottom line will benefit from jumping on the bandwagon. Talk to the city council or board about coordinating your Shop Local event with a popular festival or show. Doing so means large amounts of people will already be out and about. This could be a sidewalk walk sale or just an opportunity for community members to know local retailers will be offering discounts and perks, like free popcorn or other giveaways.

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