Summer is here and school is right around the corner, but it’s never too early to plan for back-to-school. Just because the prospect of kids returning to school at the end of summer isn’t on your mind doesn’t mean parents aren’t thinking about it, and many like to get a jump on shopping for clothing, backpacks, Read More …
Think about a favorite movie. If asked, you might recall important plot points. At the very least, most people are likely to remember the climax, or peak moment of the film, along with the ending. Everyone recalls the scene in Jaws when the shark explodes into smithereens, followed by the twist on the classic movie Read More …
Traditionally, visual merchandising (VM) has invoked visions of window displays and mannequins. Much has changed in recent years and VM is an effective sales tool that extends far beyond clothing. Today, VM addresses all facets of your retail location, from storefronts, to in-store displays, to department-specific designs. While the approach to VM has evolved, the Read More …
Owning and operating a business is a dream for many. If you’ve spent years in careful planning, you may finally find yourself in a position to open your own retail store. Congratulations on taking the leap and becoming your own boss! Now what? Even with a solid background in the industry in which you plan Read More …
After long months of howling winds and hibernation, spring arrives, complete with balmy breezes, bird songs, and nature’s invitation to step outside and enjoy the warmer temps. As a retailer, you need to start thinking about what you can do to encourage revived consumers to set foot in your store once they’ve emerged into the Read More …
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. Read More …
Every inch of retail space in your store is an opportunity to make a sale, but only if you use it correctly. Even how you lay out, aisles and carpeting could help to subconsciously steer buyers to certain areas of the store. Regarding these retail fixtures, you can’t afford to treat them like second-class citizens! Read More …
You might not have the budget to completely overhaul your store décor, but that doesn’t mean you can’t see an improvement by spending just a little on targeted upgrades. Even if you’re working with a tight budget, say a couple hundred dollars, there are a few small purchases that could help you to improve the Read More …
As consumers, we’ve all fallen victim to impulse displays. These endcaps and point-of-sale product displays are designed to catch us when we’re already on the way to making a purchase, offering discounts and deals that require us to spend only a fraction of what we’ve already got in our shopping cart. Even if you had Read More …
Remember when the holiday displays went up before Thanksgiving? It seems that the holidays are starting earlier every year. This year I walked into a grocery store in October and saw Christmas items before Halloween had even passed. Holiday songs start streaming in stores as early as the beginning of November now, and it’s common Read More …