Visual Merchandising Display Ideas

Lighted Showcases – Shedding Some Light on Your Merchandise

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So, you have got some lovely merchandise that you’d like to highlight but are leery about having it be too approachable. What to do, what to do? Display it in a locked and lighted showcase, of course.
A showcase that I find to be elegant yet functional is the Rectangular Lighted Tower Showcase which includes a bottom mirror deck shelf. This Tower Showcase comes with three adjustable tempered glass shelves and frameless locking doors so your merchandise will be safe. This display case allows a 360-degree view of your jewelry, collectables and any other small, valuable items you would like to display. The double halogen spotlights in the top canopy and the six adjustable halogen mini-spots on the sides ensure that your merchandise will be displayed to full advantage. This 39.5”W x 13.75”D x 78”H showcase includes a 20” high locking cabinet on the bottom to keep your overstock safe and tucked out of sight. Look at the photo above to see how brilliantly this showcase not only displays the shop owner’s merchandise but how strikingly it complements her decor. If you like this cabinet but the size isn’t quite what you are looking for then you may want to explore the Rectangular Lighted Tower Showcase with more glass display space or the Square Lighted Showcase Tower if your display area is limited. All these display cases ship fully assembled so you will not have to monkey around with tools.
Another very pretty lighted cabinet is the elegant Hexagonal Glass Countertop Showcase. This darling showcase has strong, black aluminum framing with tempered glass so it is sturdy but will look lovely while displaying your merchandise with elegance and style. It also includes six 20-watt halogen lights and three tempered glass shelves. At 35”H x 16”D x 18.5”W, the display case is roomy but won’t take up very much valuable counter space.
If you already have showcases that your are happy with but are wistfully thinking “Gosh, if only my showcases had LED lighting”, be wistful no longer. Cool White LED Strip Lights are available in 11.8” lengths and can be connected end-to-end to meet your lighting needs. These lights are super easy to install with the included mounting clips, do not build up excess heat and have a life span of 8 to 10 years of continuous use. Team up the LED Strip Light with the LED Strip Light Controller and LED Strip Light Lead and you are all set to light up your current showcases beautifully!

LED Signage

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A light can be a beacon in a window. Light gets our attention and draws the eye. So it makes sense to have lighted signage to get your customers’ attention, no? When choosing your lighted signage, you will want to take LED signs into consideration. LED lights are fantastic! They are long lasting, inexpensive to operate, super bright, safer and sturdier than neon lights and they don’t get hot so you can leave them on 24/7 if you want to.
The Multi-Color LED Single Line Message Display and Multi-Color LED Double Line Message Display are very effective in getting your message across. Just program your message with the handheld remote keyboard to let people know what you’ve got going on in your store. This display boasts yellow/gold, red and green lights that can be meshed into a multi-color rainbow message. These message displays have 25 display options, 8 available fonts, multi-motion speeds, and can display international characters as well as time, date and temperature. And the display is password protected so no jokesters can mess with your message! This sign can also help you save on marketing expenses, too, because you can just change your message at will rather than having to make up a new sign every time your specials or sales change.
If you are not currently in the market for a Message Display then you may want to consider some appealing non-moving LED signs. An attractive, brilliantly lit LED “Open” sign will let customers know when they can pop into your store. If they stop by when you are closed, just inform them of the hours with this lighted LED “Open” sign with static cling numbers so you can post your hours of operation. One of its notable features is that the hours will stay lit even when the open sign is turned off!
Have an ATM? Let everyone know with a nifty LED “ATM” sign. Own a pet supply store? A cute LED “Open” sign in the shape of a bone will be sure to generate some smiles and sales. There are so many LED signs to choose from! Check them out and see which ones will work for your business.

Jewelry Displays Get Creative

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Velvet and leatherette jewelry displays are lovely and classic. I love nothing more than to see a sparkly little creation nestled on a black velvet display, unless it is nestled on my own black sweater. As pretty as the classic displays are, it is nice to shake things up sometimes and think outside the (jewelry) box.

 

I came across an article that featured an incredibly creative jewelry display at Paper Moon in Reno, NV. It never occurred to me to use a jersey form as a jewelry display but there you are. See how they used jewelry U-pins to attach the pendants across the torso in a pattern that flows and draws your eye across and down? Notice that smaller pendants and earrings are placed at the neck, where the space is smaller and they won’t get lost in the midst of larger pieces. I also like how the designer created a belt-like break between the “shirt” and the “skirt”. And, oh, that skirt! I am completely smitten with that “skirt” which is created with individual chains in graduated sizes. So clever!

The reason this display works is because, although it is showcasing many items, it isn’t busy. The lines are more or less symmetrical and organized so you can see all the pieces in order, rather than searching through a jumble. This display apparently took some time and effort to create but it does what is supposed to: draw the eye, display the product effectively and make people say “wow”. If you are short on time you can still display your jewelry in an attractive and eye-catching manner.


The designer at Craftland in Providence, RI, came up with a simple yet striking display. I love the way the green and hot pink contrast but really work together. This display is as easy as placing colored paper underneath glass plates and arranging the jewelry in a neat and orderly fashion. Add some simple tabletop displays and, voila! You’ve got something special. Think about what other colors contrast yet complement and try to work them into your next display. Just remember not to use more than two, maybe three colors at a time because you don’t want the jewelry itself to fight for attention with the display.

Channel your inner designer and have some fun!

Retail Window Display Ideas That Pop!

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It’s just around the corner! Spring! Sunshine. Flowers. Rainbows and rain showers. People coming out of their winter hibernation, stretching, yawning and ready for something new. Hooray for spring! Now that people are venturing out of their lairs more often, how about we spruce up your retail window displays to attract them into your store? Let’s go over some simple ways to dress up your windows.
~ Hang some colorful bouncy balls from the ceiling with fishing line and ceiling clips at different levels. Beach balls are a great option for summertime windows and large ornaments or snowflakes would look fantastic in winter windows. You can likely find the balls at a local dollar store. Or you can choose to hang colorful gift bags fluffed with tissue paper. These are inexpensive ways to bring color to your display and to draw the eyes of passersby. Not only will the display pop, but it will convey a sense of fun to your customers.

~ String a clean new clothesline across your window and hang some of your new items on the line with clothespins, or use fishing line to hang them if they are too bulky for the pins. Hang some colorful signage that says “Fresh from the Line” so people will know you’ve gotten in new product. Remember to keep your signs simple and legible because people need to read them in the 3 seconds it takes to pass by. Make the window bright enough and they just may slow down to take a longer look!

~ “Plant” some items in colorful flowerpots. Attach a small item for sale to the top of a stake or heavy gauge wire and glue on some leaves cut from felt fabric. Visit any craft store or dollar store for the felt and for some foam bases that you can poke the stakes into. Put the foam into the flowerpot, poke in the stake and top it off with some Easter grass and you’ve got a cute, eye-catching prop for your window. If the foam doesn’t fit snugly in the flowerpot, you may need to glue it to the bottom of the pot so your “plant” doesn’t topple over. Make sure you don’t try to plant heavy merchandise or again with the toppling. Depending on your product, you may be able to plant your items directly in the flowerpot without the stake. Place a few of these pots sprouting your products in your windows and people stop to smell the flowers.

~ Place several boxes or cubes of different sizes in your window and cover them with one large unwrinkled cloth or expanse of fabric. You can pick up fabric fairly cheaply from the craft/sewing store or even a big box store with a sewing section. Smooth the cloth to emphasize the different heights and place your items on the covered boxes. Use a solid colored cloth (such as green to give the impression of grass) to make sure the merchandise you are displaying doesn’t get lost in a busy pattern. The varying heights of the boxes will create visual interest and keep the viewer’s eyes moving around the display. What other attention-grabbing, light-weight items can you scatter on the cloth in this display? Silk flowers? Pretty glass/acrylic globes? Decorative stones or pebbles? You want something to draw the eye and complement your merchandise but not steal the show.

One more thing: if you want to keep the same display up for any length of time, remember to move around or introduce new items every few days to keep the display fresh. Use your imagination and play around with these ideas and I bet you’ll have fun! Feel free to send me some pics of your fun and fresh retail window displays!

The Joy of Peg Hooks

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I have to admit that I have always taken Peg Hooks for granted but I think it’s time to publicly acknowledge their usefulness and appeal. Who knew that they are so versatile and sturdy!? Like Kelly Ripa’s arms, peg hooks may be skinny but they sure are strong. But unlike hiring Kelly Ripa to work in your store, you won’t pay a fortune for peg hooks.Now, these little guys get around. Do you have pegboard in your store? Slatwall or grid wall more your thing? Peg hooks will work hard to display your merchandise on all three of these display options. Like a satisfied customer states, “Very sturdy and holds a lot”. You can even incorporate them into your slotted standard wall display by attaching the peg hooks to a hangrail. What also makes peg hooks great, aside from how inexpensive they are, is that they are easily movable. I like that I can move the peg hooks around on my display depending on whether I’m showcasing large or small items, or shaking things up and displaying various sizes at the same time. I’m the boss of my display and it is so easy to move the peg hooks around and make my display look the way I want it to.

Have I mentioned how versatile they are? Well, let me tell you. Zinc plated steel pegboard peg hooks come in 2”, 4”, 6”, 8” and 10” lengths. Slatwall peg hooks come in 4”, 6”, 8”, 10” and 12” lengths and you also get a choice of classic black or nifty chrome finish. Safety peg hooks have a rounded hook end and are great for those of us who need to be protected from our own clumsiness. Heavy Duty Scanning Hooks have an upper arm attachment on which you can attach a clear label holder. Simply insert your own price label into the label holder and Ta-dah! An entire hookful of merchandise is instantly priced!

Are you a bit concerned about merchandise walking away? Peg Hooks can even help you deter theft! (Told you they were versatile!) Anti-Theft Locking Peg Hooks secure the merchandise to the hook, preventing anyone from sweeping all the pegged merchandise off the hook when you are not looking. Not only that, but the hook itself is also locked to your display. Both locks can be unlocked quickly and easily with a magnetic key so your product is secure but also easily accessed by the staff. Another great theft deterrent is the Peg Hook Lock that you just secure to the end of your peg hook and which is also unlocked with the magnetic key.

Now that you love peg hooks as much as I do and want to fill your store with them, you might be thinking “But Specialty Store Gal, what if I want to hang merchandise that doesn’t have a hole in the packaging for hanging?” Never fear! Allow me to introduce you to clear hanging tabs with slot holes, round holes or hooks. Just attach these adhesive backed tags to your merchandise packaging and hang to your heart’s content. They really work! Just see what these folks had to say: “I have used this product to make so many items hangable and pegable. Just use your imagination and creativity. These little hang tabs have made countless sales for us”. Another customer states, “I also use them to hang signs and notes”. So clever!
I could yammer on and on about these great hooks but I’ll let you go because you’ve got some hanging to do!

Casing the Joint – Utilizing Display Showcases

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Let’s talk display cases! Everybody can use these, from convenience stores to clothing boutiques, from restaurants to jewelry stores.First, let’s explore the big boys: Full Vision Showcases. A couple of options are Showcases with Wood/Melamine laminate surfaces and Metal Frame Cases. Both options are terrific for displaying everything from jewelry to candy to small electronics. All you need to do is decide which option is best for you. The Wood/Melamine Showcase can be matched with a Service Counter, Corner Case and Cash Register Stand to create an attractive and functional wrap-around workspace. This is the best option if you only require one display case but also need storage underneath your counter space. When the Metal Frame Corner Case is matched with one or two Full Vision Cases you will have a wrap around counter with plenty of space to display your merchandise. Both the Wood/Melamine and Metal Cases are available in several color options to suit your decorating and design ideas.

If you need a countertop display case then you may want to consider the 3 Shelf Acrylic Locking Display Case. This locking case is perfect for displaying cell phones, collectibles, game accessories and other small items while keeping them securely under lock and key. The Countertop Glass Display Case is a sleek and elegant option for displaying smaller items such as jewelry and small collectibles. Like the Acrylic case, this lovely glass case also locks and offers an unobstructed 360° view of the items.

Now, a happy medium between a full-size floor case and a countertop case is the 38” Deluxe Half Vision Showcase. This frameless case displays your merchandise with elegance and sophistication. The case features sliding doors in the base to conceal your overstock and also locks. See how fantastic it looks in a happy customer’s boutique!

Indoor Signage to Snag Sales

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Okay, so you’ve got potential customers in your door. Now what? Where would you like them to go and what do you want them to purchase in particular?

Direct buyers to your sale or featured product racks with an attractive Acrylic Sign Holder with Chrome Base placed on top of your display shelf or rack shelf. A satisfied customer says it is “even better than pictured.” You can choose Printable Fluorescent Card Signs to print your own signs on your printer and place in the sign holder. These cards come in rainbow packs with 25 sheets each of red, yellow, green and magenta that really pop! As endearing as the home made sign created by your 9 year old daughter may be, you’ll want to make sure your sign conveys a professional look so printing them on your personal printer is a good idea. Remember to use a large font and keep the wording to a minimum to attract and keep your customer’s attention. If you don’t have a printer you can always take your computer file to a print shop. Or you can choose from a variety of eye-catching preprinted signs such as a “Sale” sign in brilliant red with white print.

The Freestanding Sign Holder is another good way to convey your store’s news to your customers. At 22”x28” and 56 ½” tall and chrome plated, it is sure to garner some attention. Pop in a Custom Sign in attractive, contrasting colors which not only communicate your message but your choice of colors and artwork will convey the tone of your store. Or choose a preprinted “Sale” or “Clearance” 22″x28″ sign if that’s all you need to say.

Creative placement of this sign holder can draw people into your store, relate sale information while they are shopping or let them know about up-coming in-store promotions or contests while they are waiting in line. Make sure the sign does not block displays, traffic flow or the interior view of your store if placed in a window or door. Take a look at your store with fresh eyes to see what your customers see. Is the sign informative but to the point? If placed in the window, can you see the sign with sunlight reflecting off the window? Get creative! Hang signs from the ceiling with a Chain Kit. Having a huge sale? Use a Blow-Out or Sale Sign Kit that includes 22 different pieces in bright red/yellow. Use your imagination and you’ll see that quality signage and proper placement can make a big impact on your sales. Have fun and happy selling!

Snappy Signage = Interested Customers

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So, you need some snappy signage but lack the time or handiness to whip them up on your own. Let us create the signs and banners for you!

Custom banners numbers 9031, 4500, 4503 and 4504 come in a variety of sizes and colors and can be used both indoors and outdoors. Simply fax or email us your layout and our art department will create a professionally finished sign or banner. Pre-printed “Sale” signs are also a fantastic way to gain attention. I personally know several people who, due to the current economic climate, hesitate to shop unless they know the items of interest are on sale. That’s where our eye-catching red and yellow signs come in! Hang signs with this bold color combination in your window to announce your “Sale” or “50% off” with Vertical Window Sale Signs. A customer states, “Great, large, eye-catching signs. Easy to mount with the suction cups, looks great in my store windows.” These 24”W x 48”H signs with bright color contrast are sure to grab the attention of drivers and strollers alike.

If your style is more understated yet spirited then you may want to consider our elegant Fabric “Sale” Banner. The heavy cotton duck fabric is dyed a rich red color and has “Sale” printed on it in bright white letters in a bold font. A happy customer says, “It looks VERY polished and blends well with our environment.” Hemmed pockets on the top and bottom of the banner make it a breeze to hang on Banner Stand. The same customer raves, “I originally purchased this stand to show a sale sign. But when the sign arrived, I loved it so much I’m going to use it to communicate other big events in the boutique.” Check out the customer photo to see how she made this beautiful sign pop and complement her storefront.

Catch my next blog when we explore sign placement and the effectiveness of indoor signage!

Decorate your site with exclusive furnishing accessories

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You can add an element of beauty, style, and grace to public gardens, parks, backyards, schools, pavements etc, by breathing unique designs into their outside furniture. But where would you find fascinating site furnishings that give these places a contemporary look and feel that eventually help in drawing visitors to the sites in multitudes? Not to worry. You can get all this and many more at Specialty Store Services — Your one-stop shop for all kinds of retail needs that also promises to cater to some of the best site furnishings at the most competitive prices.

You can find a huge collection of accessories in our store like tables, benches, ashtrays and trash receptacles available in beautiful colors and designs. The tables come in caf styles with an ornamental hoop and spiral design. They are fully assembled with pre-drilled mounting holes in feet that prevent the tables from toppling over by transfixing them into the ground. The steel benches on the other hand are truly adorable with ergonomically curved arms and legs, that really make for a comfortable sitting. Another variety is the custom steel bench from the coveted Broadway Street Signature Series which has an oak plaque inserted in the back engraved with any message the customer would like to display. We also have some of the backless varieties which are otherwise similar to normal ones except for the back rest. Not to forget, in this category we also have the hammertone shoe bench with mirror which has a unique eye catching design with a perforated seat. The two mirrors on both sides is a rare feature and the hammertone metal finish gives it a long-lasting durability.

Apart from this, we also stock up on some of the most unique ash trays which belong to the cease fire variety. They keep your properties clean by preventing the supply of oxygen which helps extinguish cigarettes. Furthermore, they are constructed with fire resistant polyethylene, that will never rust, dent or crack. The galvanized steel liner pail also facilitates easy and quick disposal. Another type we have is the elite smokers ceasefire cigarette receptacle that has a classy, sophisticated and upmarket look which is suited for business requirements. The USP of this product is the FM Global approval and ADA compliance. Next comes the Wall Mount Sand Top Ashtrays. Unlike the ceasefire types, which can be used only for outdoor purposes, the wall mount ashtrays are ideal for both indoor and outdoor uses. Made of rust-proof aluminum, they are easy to clean and service.

Garbage disposal has never been so quick and easy before. But now with trash receptacles, it is an absolute cakewalk. You can check out the myriad varieties we have like 36 Gallon Garbage Can, 48 Gallon Round Metal Garbage Can, 36 Gallon Garbage Can with Rain Guard ……the list is endless. Some other types that adorn our stock consist of garbage cans with ashtrays. It is a one of its kind product, which serves dual purposes. With an all-steel heavy duty construction, they are fully assembled and have durable powder coat finish.

The above mentioned products, however, are only a handful of them. You can of course visit our website for more on site furnishing accessories.

Some cool hangers that can really make your dresses look awesome

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While going out if you reach for a dress only to find that in a wrinkled and creased state, how do you feel? Absolutely awful I know. The same goes for your store as well. If you keep the apparels piled on top of one another, people would simply walk past the section without even bothering to turn around and take a look let alone wading through that huge mound.

But you can easily avoid this situation only if you can take that little trouble of hanging your clothes on a hanger. They not only keep the dresses in a perfect shape but also make them look clean and attractive. So for a remarkable variety of hangers, you can visit our store because we have different types of them spread across almost all types of clotheslines.

Let’s begin with heavy weight dress hangers first. From the very name itself you can make out they are meant for hanging the heavy winter clothes including sweatpants, sweaters, winter coats, long-sleeved shirts, jeans, mittens, turtlenecks etc. Made of polystyrene they are designed to hold heavy apparels perfectly in their place. Now available in three different sizes, they can be a perfect choice for people going through tough times trying to organize their winter wardrobe. We also have a specially designed 17” heavyweight suit hanger fitted with metal clips which slide and swivel to accommodate merchandise of any size.

Among others we have heavyweight skirt/pant hangers, 17” outer wear hangers, 17” all purpose hangers, 14” skirt/slack hangers, 17” all purpose contoured coat and suit hanger, 17” wooden coat hanger, break resistant skirt/pant hanger, 12” pinch grip hanger, chrome 16” shirt hanger, 16” combination hanger, and many many more.

I am sure you will get normal hangers at a lot of places but custom made hangers like the ones mentioned above are really difficult to find. All of these are made with sturdy materials that can withstand pressure and their unique designs also make them a runaway favorite among shoppers of all age groups and from every walk of life.

However, if you think we are merely stacking up on these hangers you would be wrong. We are also taking a lot of care to ensure that they can be easily maintained. This is because very often we have seen that when kept together in large numbers, these hangers tend to get entangled resulting in frequent breakages. So we have come up with a hanger stacker which helps you get rid of this menace. Constructed with a capacity to hold upto 50 hangers, the freestanding hanger organizer helps to keep the hangers neat and contained thus making their maintenance an absolute cakewalk much to your delight.