5 Things You Need Consider for a Show Stopping Retail Display
An innovative retail display can attract customers as effectively as a mountain of free cake - even in a world dominated by online shopping. Because people still want to see your goods in person to avoid catastrophes like these.
Which is why a purchase usually begins with online research followed by a visit to the shop (or with a customer swinging by to check things out before making a purchase online).
The thing is, you must create something really special to turn heads when the competition is red hot. Achieving this starts with the right know-how and inspiration.
Let us help you with that. Read this article and discover how to create retail displays the likes of which the world has never seen.
IMPRESS WITH IMMERSION
Using immersion you can pull people into a world you’ve carefully crafted. If this world is captivating, passersby will want to stop and engage with it. Your products are illuminated through this appeal.
Building an immersive environment starts with consistency. When everything works together - your walls, flooring, props - the effect is more powerful and immersion is seamless. Home and beauty brand, Rituals, does this beautifully:
Source: Cosmetics Business
There’s an element of secrecy here. From outside, you need to peek through the butterflies for a glimpse into this fairy-tale world. It really makes you crave what’s behind the door.
When you do enter, you’re engulfed in a ‘serene woodland’ environment. The use of wood throughout gives the consistency needed for immersion. As do the props: a beautiful blossom tree and butterflies floating in the shop window.
Immersion takeaways: You only need a few features to create a display that’s authentic and compelling. Just make sure you stick to a strong, unified theme that’s consistent with your brand.
BOLDLY GO WHERE NO ONE HAS GONE BEFORE
Nowadays, scientists say we humans have shorter attention spans than goldfish. We can thank smartphones and social media for that!
This creates a real challenge for brick-and-mortar shops to grab passersbys’ attention with their retail displays. You need to create something that’ll stop people in their tracks, drawing them into your store or encouraging them to bookmark your goods in their busy brains. The trick is to be bold, not bland. However you interpret that rests on your creativity and branding - but you can take note from this display by Selfridges.
Source: Zagleft
See how they picked an awesome theme (zodiac signs) and used novel props to create a work of art? All the while showcasing their best Christmas buys. The result is a visually appealing, unusual retail display that entices you to explore all the little details.
Top tip for boldness: think about eye-catching colours too, like Magenta and Aquamarine that will make your shop pop.
Borrow Beauty From Nature
Nature is scientifically proven to decrease stress, reduce anger and ease anxiety. Not that we need science to know this - a walk in the countryside on a warm summer’s day is convincing enough.
This is why taking inspiration from nature can help create an inviting retail display. Most people feel better emotionally when engulfed in nature. It may even serve as a refuge for tired shoppers. Feast your eyes on Anthropologie’s innovative retail display inspired by natural beauty:
Source: URBN
Multiple things are achieved here through the use of nature:
- It’s relevant to the summer season
- It matches Anthropologie’s brand: creativity, passion and uniqueness
- It’s beautiful and eye-catching, people will want to stop and take a picture
This is a very literal interpretation that works wonderfully. If you want to be more obscure, go beyond plants like Louis Vuitton does here with its unusual retail display:
Source: Step Into The Window
A beautiful water effect has been created through the use of reflective panels in a striking aqua color. This is a great way to use the elements as inspiration for your display while producing a calming effect.
Nature Hacks: study different natural environments to discover authentic textures (like tree bark) and colours. You should also pick a mood that’s consistent to ensure immersion e.g. bright and summery or cold and wintery.
Inject Fun Through Interactivity
Interactivity drives sales. It changes a static experience into something that moves the imagination, engaging customers not only with your products but with your brand through entertainment and playfulness.
For example, you could create a digital inventory that allows customers to browse your products from your shop window. Or you could use a ‘smart mirror’ that lets passersby try on different outfits.
Bloomingdales recently mastered interactivity through their Manhattan store’s unusual retail display. Shoppers were able to tap colour swatches on a touchscreen triggering an outfit to appear that matched their choice.
Source: Time
If shoppers liked what they saw, they could text “POLO” for a link to the check-out page for a super-speedy purchase. Through this innovative retail display, Bloomingdale achieved a fast shopping experience that’s also memorable and mesmerising.
Some intel on Interactivity: ensure the experience you offer is quick for customers so they have time to pause out of their busy schedules. You could also capitalise on the opportunity to capture customer details using touch screen technology.
Spark Interest Through Smart Lighting
Intelligent use of lighting can illuminate your products. As the great Ella Baker once said: “give light and people will find the way.” It allows you to direct onlookers eyes to your desired focal point. Want to showcase your biggest steal of the week? Put it in the spotlight.
Lighting can also help you create different moods. If you’re looking for a vintage feel, choose Edison light bulbs for your retail display. Or perhaps you’ve picked a wintery theme - cool lighting will help you achieve that bright and cold feel.
Alternatively, some retailers use lighting to create eye-popping visuals. Just take a look at this display by Harvey Nichols:
Source: Telegraph
A trick of the light? Play around with light positions to achieve your desired visuals. Light coming directly from the top tends to create harsh shadows, so start with lighting from the sides and front to capture your product’s best side.
Sold at First Sight
Your brick-and-mortar presence can be powerful with an innovative retail display, giving you the competitive edge needed to win over customers.
Think you might need specialist support to give your display that wow factor? SPOS Display can work with you to create a custom stand or point-of-purchase display backed by behavioural science that speaks to customers on a personal level and drives sales.