Merchandising and display tips

Welcome to my first blog! I've been trying to get to this off the ground for months! I am the Lifestyle Creator of SoHe Designs a manufacturer and distributor of global inspired home decor products and gifts. I produce porcelain dinnerware and tea sets, pillows, bath sets and more. While my goal is to sell wholesale to small businesses, I am interested in how stores reach out to their own customer base. Whenever possible I visit a location and look at the store's layout and how it is merchandised. Based on what I see helps me determine if I will take the next step to introduce my line to the store owner.

In this premiere blog I will introduce a series of tips based on my years of experience in the retail sector with those of you who are retail owners in the home furnishings and gifts market category.

Merchandising and display tips for home decor retailer

This is going to be one of the roughest holiday seasons in YEARS! - yet there are simple things businesses can do to help you get the green!

Start by walking out of your store. Turn around, face your store and look at it as if this was the first time you ever saw the place. Be honest of what you see! Be honest in answering the questions I will ask. Let's get started.

Part 1. First impressions- Your window introduces your customers to your store. So, what does your window display look like? It has to be nothing short of FABULOUS!

• Clean your windows. As basic as this sounds, I've seen stores with dirty windows and dusty displays! What a turn off! Hire a regular window cleaner if necessary.
• Create a theme. You should be updating your window at least once a month- more if there are special events or holidays. A theme makes it easier to select the right products therefore encouraging your customers to come in to your space.
  
• Let your products breathe. Do not jam a sample of every product in your window. You will overwhelm anyone looking at your window, another turn off.
• Research your competition. Look at the displays of other stores in your area. Look at department store windows for inspiration. Those windows often end up on the evening news. They must be doing something right!
  
• Print your signs. Please- no hand written signs or promotions. This tips goes for any inside signage as well. Use the templates on your computer to create your printed messages and purchase a variety of papers and cardstock from any office store.
  
• Get an intern or hire a pro. If you don't know how to "dress" a window or have time to make signs, get help! Use interns from colleges studying visual merchandising.

So let me know what you think so far. You may will be surprised when people will come in saying that they never noticed your store before by just taking this first step! See my next blog for Part 2.