Mannequins For Sale I Mannequin Mall Blog

All things mannequins, window displays, and much more!

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The Do's and Dont's of Starting a Retail Business

Launching your own retail store from the ground up is no easy task. You must perform extensive research into your target demographic, find reliable product suppliers, and know how to execute a business plan.

Don't: Under Hire

One of the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make when launching a retail store is not hiring enough employees. Common sense should tell you that more employees translates into a higher payroll, which is why some entrepreneurs are hesitant to hire. But you have to think of employees as an investment tat will help your business grow. Without the right amount of employees, you simply won't be able to run successful store, and that's the bottom line.

Don't: Choose a Bad Location

Another common mistake entrepreneurs make is choosing a bad location for their retail store. You can have the 'best' store in town, but unless customers can easily find it, you probably won't see many shoppers walking through the front door. So, what defines a 'good' location for a retail store? For starters, make sure it's located in a commercial district with other businesses. People who are running errands may notice your store and decide to check it out.

Do: Set Up Product Displays

When launching a retail store, make sure you set up product displays in areas of high-visibility (windows, ends of aisles, etc.). Something as simple as a mannequin sporting apparel and accessories sold at your store can make a world of difference in your sales.

Do: Seek Funding

The cost of launching a new retail store may seem overwhelming. The good news is that you don't have to come up with 100% of the financing up front. Thanks to all of the financial business lenders out there, there are dozens of loans and financing options available for entrepreneurs looking to start their own business. Take full advantage of these options by applying for some of the loans which best fit your particular needs. In fact, there are even loans designed specifically for retail store owners.

Do: Get Insured

Lastly, talk with a business insurance provider about getting coverage for your retail store. Opening and running a store without insurance is both illegal and careless, and it may leave you vulnerable to legal prosecution. A short phone call to an insurance provider will help set your business on the right path to remaining safe from such disasters.

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Setting Up Store Displays: What You Should Know

If you own or manage a retail business, you'll want to pay close attention to how your store displays are set up. The ultimate objective in using them is to draw attention from the wondering eyes of customers browsing the store in hopes they will make a purchase. Studies have shown that shoppers are more likely to purchase a product if it's placed on a display rather than a shelf; therefore, you'll want to use this to your advantage by creating an attractive, eye-catching display that naturally draws the attention of your customers. If you are wondering how to accomplish this, keep reading and we'll reveal some essential tips on how to make your retail store displays stand out.

Make It Easy To See

You can have them extravagant store display around town, but it's not going to offer any real benefit if customers can't see it easily. More often than not, store displays require additional lighting to illuminate the nearby products. If you haven't done so already, check to see whether or not your displays could use more lighting. A simple strip of track lighting can prove to be well worth the initial investment once installed. You can either run it along the base of your display or along the top. Just remember to have it focused specifically on the products being displayed for optimal results.

Tell a Story

Store displays can be used to tell a story without the means of actual words. If you sell retail clothing, perhaps you can create a display focused around a specific type of clothing, such as swimwear. There are literally hundreds of paths to take with a swimwear display. You can style mannequins with swimsuits and surfboards in a beach-like fashion. Alternatively, you could have two mannequins playing with a beach ball. These are just a couple of the many options available, and it's up to you to think of one that works for your specific store. The bottom line is that your display should tell a story to keep customers interested and intrigued.

Window Real Estate

The window displays are the most important areas in a store. This is because both customers and people walking past your store will see them. You'll want to use your window displays as an opportunity to bring in more customers. So, how are you supposed to accomplish this? There are several different ways to make your window displays stand out, but the single most important element is color. Don't use plain, boring neutral colors that blend in with the atmosphere, but instead choose bold and vibrant colors that stand out. Walking by a boldly-colored window display will likely catch the attention of people passing by more than a neutral-colored display.

Hopefully, these three tips will help you create more effective store displays. Just remember to build them around a specific theme, use plenty of lighting, and make the most of your window real estate. Doing these simple things will set you miles ahead of your competitors.

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Summer Merchandising Tips For Retail Stores

Photo credit: Robert S. Donovan

The summer season offers the perfect opportunity for store owners to update the visual merchandising displays in their retail store. Giving your store a fresh new summertime look is almost certain to have a positive impact on the customers, leading to more sales. To help you get started on the right foot, we've compiled a list of essential summertime merchandising tips. Following these tips will give your retail store a summertime vibe while simultaneously encouraging more sales.

Warm Color Palette

Painting the interior of your store with warm colors will have a dramatic impact on the mood. Far too many retail owners overlook the use of color psychology in their store. By using the right colors, however, you can motivate customers to make purchases. Consider painting the walls with warm, vibrant colors that naturally uplift your spirits. Summer is the perfect time to use warm colors, so take advantage of this in your store.

So, which colors should you paint the walls? It really depends on the current fixtures and elements used inside your store. However, using any shade of blue, light green, yellow or even orange are all excellent choices that will add a valuable new element of style to the atmosphere. You can even go one step further by painting an “accent” wall a separate color than the rest. Accent walls help to balance out the decor through the use of an alternate color.

Summer-Inspired Merchandising Display

Designing your merchandising displays around a summer theme will also have a positive impact on your retail store. By creating a connection between the customer and the display, they are more likely to make a purchase. There are dozens of ways to create a summer-inspired merchandising display, but the main idea is to use elements commonly associated with summer. If your store sells apparel, for instance, you could set up some mannequins decked out in swimsuits, sunglasses and even a beach ball. If your store sells sporting goods, then perhaps you could create a display with summer-friendly sports like water skiing and baseball.

If you need help designing an attractive summertime merchandising display, don't be afraid to call the product manufacturers to see what they recommend. Some manufacturers will send you items to use in the merchandising display, while others will actually send a representative out to help you set up the display. All it takes is a short phone call to see whether or not a manufacturer offers assistance on display setups.

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How To Calculate And Reduce Retail Overhead Expense

Overhead is the term used to describe a collective group of business-related expenses. Whether your store sells apparel, accessories, jewelry, electronics, groceries, sporting goods, pet supplies or any other consumer product, you're going to have overhead. Certain niches experience less overhead than others, but the bottom line is that all retail store and businesses must pay for this group of expenses. But how exactly do you calculate overhead for your business? And what steps can you take to reduce these expenses? To learn the answers to these questions and more, keep reading.

Retail Overhead: Defined

With the exception of labor, materials and other direct expenses, all other costs of running and operating a business is considered overhead. Some people assume that overhead is only leasing costs, but this isn't the case. While lease does in fact fall under this category, there are dozens of other expenses related to overhead.

Some of the most common overhead expenses for retail stores and businesses include lease, electricity, gas, water, trash, security monitoring system, telephone, professional cleaning service, advertising, repairs, legal counseling, renovations, travel, and promotional material. Of course, there are problem many other overhead expenses that you'll foot the bill for when running a retail business.

Calculating Retail Overhead Expenses

There's really no 'wrong' way to calculate your business's overhead expenses, assuming you include all of the pertinent information. Small business owners can likely calculate this amount themselves, but larger businesses may wish to hire an accountant. If you keep an itemized list of all your business-related expenses, you can simply go through and add up all of indirect costs to generate your total monthly overhead.

It's important to note that overhead expenses vary from month to month. There are both fixed and fluctuating costs that will factor into your total overhead. With that said, you can make projected future overhead costs by averaging out previous ones. If you're creating a business plan, for instance, it's recommended that you include both current and projected overhead expenses.

How To Reduce Your Retail Overhead Expenses

Call around and get quotes from multiple utility providers (gas, electric, water, telephone, security monitoring, etc.).

Considering cutting back on cleaning services and designating your employees to handle this responsibility.

Focus on cost-effective forms of advertisement rather than overpriced television and/or radio commercials.

Purchase product in bulk to save money.

Negotiate lower lease rates with your lessor.

Perform monthly internal expense audits to determine exactly where your company's money is going.

There are dozens expenses related to business overhead, but the largest is leasing a store. Depending on the size, location and terms, it's not uncommon for some small retail store owners to spend several thousand dollars a month just to lease a building. Of course, this adds up over time, placing a heavy financial burden on the company. To help reduce these costs, talk with your lessor to see if he or she is willing to negotiate a better deal. You might be surprised just how much money you could save on leasing a store by negotiating with the landlord.

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'Smart Mannequins' To Offer Fashion Advice To Shoppers

We blogged about EyeSee mannequins equipped with video cameras and facial recognition software earlier. But there's a new type of mannequin that's making the headlines: the smart mannequin.

According to the New York Times, these smart mannequins are designed to communicate with shoppers via near-field communications (NFC) technology. A shopper may peruse around the store, at which point the mannequin offers him or her suggestions on which items to purchase. Smart mannequins are fitted with internal transmitter beacons that can identify shoppers within range. Assuming the shopper has the store's app installed on his or her smartphone, the smart mannequin can transmit shopping advice, advertorial content, coupons, and other content directly to the shopper's mobile device.

The company responsible for this ingenious idea is Universal Display, which reportedly delivers mannequins and other visual merchandising products to some of the nation's biggest retailers (Uniqlo, Saks Fifth Avenue, etc.). The New York Times article also points out that Jonathan Berlin and Adrian Coe have created their own company specifically for the creation of beacons in these smart mannequins. The beacon is the actual hardware used to transmit data (messages) to shoppers' smartphone, so it's an essential component in the smart mannequin.

Reports suggest that smart mannequins are currently being tested in select London retailers. It's unknown when, or even if, they will come to the U.S. Being that smart mannequins are still a relatively new trend, some people are rightfully skeptical of their place in modern-day retail environments.

"I don’t know if it’s something that we know enough information to know if it’s successful or not. I think the pendulum swings back and forth, and there are times when realistic mannequins become very popular," said Glenn Sokoli, an adjunct associate professor at Fashion Institute of Technology.

There are some potential hurdles to effectively using smart mannequins, one of which is the simple fact that shoppers must already have the store's app downloaded on their smartphone. In order for the technology to work, the shopper needs a compatible app to allow the beacon to transmit data. It's become increasingly difficult to convince consumers to download and install new apps on their mobile devices -- a trend that could greatly reduce the effectiveness of these smart mannequins.

Would you consider using a smart mannequin in your store?

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How To Attract More Customers To Your Retail Store

Customers are the backbone of any successful retail store or business. Without them, your sales will tumble and your profits will dry up. Unfortunately, many retail store owners seem to overlook or underestimate the importance of driving new customers to their place of their business. Even if your store is operating without any problems, you can likely boost your profits by attracting new customers.

#1) Send Out Coupons

There are many consumers who only shop at a particular store if they have a coupon for it. If you aren't creating and sending out coupons for your store on a regular basis, you are essentially leaving this demographic untapped. The cost of producing a few basic coupons is a small price to pay for the additional foot traffic they'll bring to your store.

#2) Collect Customers' Email Addresses

Are you collecting customers' email addresses when they check out? If not, yous should. Once you've harvested a sizable list of email addresses, you can send out special promo codes, coupons, happy birthday messages, new product arrival announcements and much more. Just ask the customer if they would like to receive exclusive coupons and news to their email address. Most customers are more than happy to provide you with this information in exchange for discounts.

#3) Stay Social

In today's fast-paced, tech-savvy age, there's no reason why any retail store or business shouldn't have an active online social presence. It takes just a few minutes to set up a Facebook page, and once it's launched, you can engage customers through a completely new outlet. But you don't have to limit yourself to using only Facebook for social media networking. Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn are all excellent tools for retail stores.

#4) Promotional Events

Participating in promotional events is yet another technique for retail stores to attract new customers. Check your local newspaper for upcoming events. Whether it's a sporting event, concert, arts festival, etc., you can typically pay the promoter a fee which hallows you to set up a booth here. This is an excellent way to reach out to a new customer base for your retails tore.

#5) Advertise

Lastly, advertising plays an important role in bringing new customers to a retail store. It's easy to grow complacent with your current customer base, but the bottom line is that you can always improve your numbers by focusing some of your resources and energy on advertisements.

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How To Trigger 'Impulse Purchases' In Shoppers

If you aren't actively trying to trigger impulse purchases (also known as impulse buys) in your store's shoppers, you're missing out on one of the easiest ways to boost revenue. The term "impulse purchase" refers to any unplanned purchase of a product or service. For example, a shopper may visit a retail apparel store with the goal of purchasing a new pair of jeans, but when he or she sees a fashionable watch on display, they may decide to buy it as well.

The Basics of Impulse Buys

So, how can store owners entice shoppers to make more impulse purchases? There are several different factors which influence this behavior, one of which is convenience. Grocery store owners, for instance, often display candy, chewing gum, mints and single-serve bottled sodas around the checkout aisles. Even if a shopper didn't plan on purchasing these items, he or she may do so simply because it's convenient.

Impulse Buys and Cross Merchandising

Impulse buys can also be triggered through cross merchandising -- a topic we discussed in a previous post here at the Mannequin Mall Blog. Cross merchandising involves displaying products from two or more different categories in hopes of enticing shoppers to purchase them. Going back to the example of a retail apparel store, the owner may cross-merchandise a dress or outfit with accessories like jewelry and/or watches.

Impulse Buys and Distractions

A study published in the 2008 edition of the Journal of Consumer Research suggests that consumers are more likely to make an impulse purchase if they are distracted. Bryan Gibson, professor at Central Michigan University Psychology, surveyed several hundred college students, asking them a variety of questions related to their shopping habits. He found a direct correlation between impulse buys and distractions.

"The results of this research suggest that our intuitions and feelings about brands may lead us to choose them, particularly when we are distracted. So don't be surprised if a distraction at the grocery store leads to more impulse purchases," wrote Gibson in the study.

The key thing to remember when implementing new impulse buy techniques is to monitor the results. After all, the only way you'll know whether or not a new display resulted in increased sales is by measuring shoppers' reactions. Hopefully, this will give you a better understanding of impulse buys in the retail industry.

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Renovations To Improve Your Retail Store

When done correctly, renovations can increase both the aesthetic value and overall function of a retail store. By investing some of your time and energy into renovations, you can create a enjoyable profitable retail store. Some owners avoid major renovations simply because they aren't willing to spend the necessary money; however, you have to think of it as an investment that pays off in the future. To learn more about some renovation ideas for retail stores, keep reading.

Floors

The floors say a lot about the interior of a retail store. If your floors are old, grungy and/or damaged, then perhaps you should replace them with new ones. Installing new hardwood or laminate floors will drastically improve the atmosphere of your store, not to mention they are easier to clean than carpet.

Even if you don't want to install new floors in your store, you can still refinish the ones you have. Doing so is quick, easy and costs much less than purchasing brand new floors. Hardwood floors are refinished by sanding, cleaning, and then applying a coat of finish to the surface.

Energy-Efficient Renovations

In an effort to encourage individuals and businesses to make environmentally-friendly upgrades, the federal government offers tax credits for certain energy-efficient renovations. For instance, you'll get a tax credit if you replace your windows with double-pane, energy-efficient models. New EnergyStar air conditioners and HVAC systems may also come with a tax credit. If you are looking to save money on your store's renovations, look for projects that involve energy-efficient upgrades. You won't get the money back immediately, but instead it will come in the form of a rebate on your upcoming taxes.

Shelves and Gondolas

Of course, installing new shelving systems and gondolas in your store is another major renovation that shouldn't go unnoticed. Product placement is critical to the success of practically any retail store or business. While there are dozens of different fixtures and ways to display product, there's no better choice than gondolas. These highly versatile shelving fixtures come with fully adjustable shelves and a base system that can be moved on rollers.

For an even greater effect, you can place end-caps on each end to display additional product. Adding new gondolas and shelving systems to your retail store is a highly effective renovation project that's sure to pay off in the long run.

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Is Your Mannequin Watching You?

Mannequins are frequently used in retail apparel stores to display products. Store owners can set up their mannequins to create a realistic appearance to which shoppers can relate, which subsequently encourages more sales. But an innovative new form of technology is changing the way mannequins are used.

According to an article published by Retail Innovation, retailers are now using mannequins equipped with facial-recognition technology to watch over their shoppers' movements and actions (no, we're not kidding). The aptly named EyeSee mannequin looks like any other mannequin you would find in an apparel store from the outside, but looks can be deceiving, especially in this case.

The EyeSee mannequin features two eyes, one of which contains a high-definition video camera that captures footage of shoppers. This camera constantly records the surrounding environment, sending data footage to the system's facial recognition software.

So, what's the purpose of the EyeSee mannequin? Among other things, the mannequin can be used to capture shoplifters on camera. Retail theft is a growing problem that costs U.S. businesses billions of dollars each year. Unfortunately, only a fraction of shoplifters are ever caught, which is largely due to the fact that cameras are placed in open areas like the ceiling. With the EyeSee mannequin, however, owners can watch over their store without their shoppers' knowledge.

Another benefit of using the EyeSee mannequin is its ability to capture invaluable data on shopping activities. Store owners can see which products shoppers browse the most, as well as the demographic of shoppers in relation to the product they are viewing.

"Any software that can help profile people while keeping their identities anonymous is fantastic. It could really enhance the shopping experience, the product assortment, and help brands better understand their customers," said Uché Okonkwo, executive director of consultant Luxe Corp.

Mannequins with video camera support and facial recognition software don't come cheap. You can expect to pay roughly £3,000 ($4,600) for a standard EyeSee mannequin. Considering that most stores use multiple mannequins, some store owners are unable to justify spending that much.

Almax, maker of the EyeSee mannequin, is also testing a new device that will allow its mannequins to eavesdrop on what shoppers are saying. Basically, the company wants to ad a microphone to its mannequins, further boosting its versatility in the retail industry.

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Essential Cross-Merchandising Tips For Apparel Stores

Cross merchandising refers to the practice of displaying products from two or more groups/categories together. Instead of displaying a single type of product on a gondola shelf, for instance, the store owner could display several, encouraging customers to spend additional money during their shopping trip. This week, we're going to reveal some essential cross-merchandising tips for retail apparel stores.

Benefits of Cross Merchandising In The Retail Industry

You might be wondering why cross-merchandising is important in the retail industry. After all, customers typically visit a retail store with the objective of purchasing a single product, right? Granted, some customers visit apparel stores in hopes of finding a particular garment, but other customers intend to purchase multiple items. When performed correctly, cross merchandising can boost sales/revenue while creating a positive shopping experience for your store's customers.

Cross merchandising is beneficial for a number of reasons, one of which is its ability to entice shoppers to buy products that they wouldn't otherwise buy. Even if a shopper came to your store for the sole purpose of buying a single garment, he or she may buy an accessory after seeing it displayed on a mannequin.

Cross Merchandising Tips For Retailers:

Only group products together if they "make sense." Displaying dresses alongside men's coats, for instance, wouldn't entice shoppers to make a purchase.

Use lighting to enhance and draw attention to your cross-merchandising displays. The right lighting will create a more visible display, which subsequently encourages shoppers to buy the product.

Don't be afraid to think outside the box. In other words, there are other products available to display other than shirts, pants and other related garments. Jewelry is an excellent product idea for cross merchandising in apparel stores, as shoppers often buy it in addition to garments.

Change it up. We've talked about this before on the MannequinMall.com blog but it's worth mentioning again that retail store owners should constantly switch up their displays by trying new things.

Make it colorful. The right colors can make a world of difference in the effectiveness of a cross-merchandising display. Adding brightly colored, eye-catching products will catch shoppers' attention.

Use fixtures to your advantage. From slatwall and gridwall to mannequins, body forms and more, there are dozens of different fixtures available for retail apparel stores.

Did you find these cross-merchandising tips helpful?

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What Is a Dress Form? And How Do I Use It?

Vintage dress form photo.

A dress form is an invaluable tool for professional tailors, fashion designers, and even retail apparel store owners. As the name suggests, it's essentially a three-dimensional model of a torso on which garments and accessories are applied. Because it mimics the size and shape of the human body, a dress form is the perfect "testing" tool for garments and fashion accessories.

Dress Form vs Mannequin: What's The Difference?

It's important to note that a dress form is not the same as mannequin. Mannequins are larger, more complex, and are typically constructed with heads, arms and legs. Dress forms, on the other hand, only feature a torso. This is why mannequins are the preferred way to display items in a retail store, as customers can relate to them more easily than dress forms.

Choosing a Dress Form

There are literally dozens of different types of dress forms available for sale, ranging in size, style, material, construction, and features. Some of them feature a soft-padded back, allowing you to pin your garments onto the torso, while others are hard throughout. If you intend to use your dress form to tailor clothes, it's recommended that you choose a model with a soft back. Granted, these models may cost more, but having the ability to pin garments directly on the dress form makes it a smart investment that's sure to pay off in the long run.

How To Use a Dress Form

The first step in using a dress form is to adjust the height to your "working level." If you haven't done so already, check around the bottom of your dress form for an adjustable knob. Assuming you intent to work while sitting in a chair or stool, you should turn the knob until the torso is parallel to your upper chest. You can always go back and raise or lower the dress form as you see fit, but this height setting should work well for mot people.

There's really no wrong way to use a dress form. It's a highly versatile tool that can be used for a number of different purposes/functions. Professional tailors may use it to adjust the length or size of a garment. Retail apparel store owners may use it to visualize how their products look on the human form. Just remember to maintain your dress form so it offers you a countless number of years of use.

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THe Importance of Product Placement In The Retail Industry

Many retail store owners and businesses overlook the importance of product placement. You can have the best selection of goods at the lowest prices in town, but it's not going to translate into sales unless you have it properly displayed in your store. The easier you make it for customers to find, the more sales you'll have. It's a simple principle that can significantly improve the performance of your retail store. Here we'll take a closer look at the importance of in-store product displays, and we'll reveal some tips on how to take full advantage of them.

The fact is that all retail establishments can benefit from in-store product displays. Whether your retail store sells clothes, jewelry, electronics, sports equipment, home furnishings, groceries or even antiques, you should take the time to setup displays throughout. The additional time and energy it takes to do so will prove to be well worth it in the long run. Studies have shown that stores with product displays naturally have higher sales and a better visitor-to-customer conversion ratio. This alone should be reason enough for you to setup product displays.

Keep Up With The Seasons

As the seasons change, so should your product displays. This is a basic rule that applies to practically every retail store, especially clothing and apparel boutiques. Displaying heavy sweaters, cardigans, jackets and other types of outerwear during the warm spring and summer months is a waste of space, and it sends the wrong message to your customers. A better approach would be to display lighter, more summer-friendly clothes like bathing suits and t-shirts. If you run a clothing store, think about what people are wearing during this time of year and mirror it with your in-store displays.

Of course, other types of retail stores can also benefit from adjusting their displays with the seasons. For instance, convenience stores may want to offer sunscreen lotion, hats, beach towels, etc., during the spring and summer months. When winter approaches, it might be a good idea to place other items on display like ice scrapers, coffee thermoses, etc.

Mannequin photo by Jes via Flickr Creative Commons.

Place 'Hot' Selling Items Up Front

The most effective area in the store for displaying products is directly at the front. When customers first enter your store, they will likely notice any displays you have setup here. You can use this to your advantage by placing the best-selling products on display here. Customers will still notice other displays setup throughout your store, but they won't prove to be as effective as the ones up front.

If you haven't done so already, go through your sales numbers to determine which products are hot sellers. Once you've identified some of the best-selling products, set them up on display at the front of your store. You can use mannequins to display most types of clothes and apparel, or you can use basic shelving shelving systems to display other goods and products. Just remember to draw as much focus and attention towards the display as possible.

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The Do's and Don'ts of Displaying Products In a Retail Store

Photo credit: Jheffrey swid

Product displays can either make or break a retail business. The right displays will naturally grab shoppers' attention while encouraging them to make a purchase. On the other hand, the wrong displays will have the opposite effect by discouraging purchases. To help business owners get started on the right foot, we've compiled a list of some important product display do's and don'ts.

Don't: Use Dull Colors

You might be surprised to learn just how much of an impact the color palette has on your product display. One of the biggest mistakes owners make when setting up a display is using dull colors that seem to blend in with the surrounding furnishings. Remember, your ultimate goal when creating a product display is to make it stand out; therefore, you want to use bold, vibrant colors that naturally pull your attention.

Don't: Display Too Many Items

Another common mistake is trying ti display too many items at once. Trying to force too many products and elements into a single display will result in a cluttered appearance. Instead, stick with a general theme for your displays that's focused around one particular product. This doesn't necessarily mean than your displays should feature only one product, but their focus should be on a single product.

Do: Change It Frequently

To maximize the effectiveness of your product displays, it's recommended that you change them up on a regular basis. Shoppers grow tired of seeing the same display day after day. Giving your displays a makeover will keep your customers interested and engaged, which ultimately benefits your business a while. Even small changes to the display like rearranging mannequins or adding new accessories can have a profound impact on its effectiveness.

Do: Use Attention-Grabbing Elements

Lastly, it's important for store owners to use attention-grabbing elements in their product displays. So, what are some examples of “attention-grabbing elements?” There are dozens of ways to attract the attention of shoppers, such as using red and yellow colors with bold letters, adding season-themed elements, sale signs and more.

These are just a few rules to follow when setting a retail store product display. Above all else, though, pay attention to the effect it has on customers. If sales of the displayed product go up, then you know it's working well. But if they go down, you should make some changes to your display.

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Enhance Your Window Displays With The Right Props

Do your window displays lack any sense of style or aesthetic direction? The primary purpose of a display is catch shoppers' attention. When it fails to accomplish this goal, it's not going to benefit your business. Thankfully, incorporating the right props into your displays can maximize their effectiveness, drawing more attention to the display and your products.

Create A Theme

We've talked about this before here on the MannequinMall.com blog, but it's worth mentioning again that themes can greatly enhance a window display, especially when used in conjunction with props. The right props can be a powerful tool for creating window displays, so be sure to use them. In the hot summer months, for example, adding beach balls, towels and a beach umbrella will create the impression of a summer-time setting.

Emphasize The Clothing

While most store owners use clothing in their displays for the sole promotional purposes, it can also be used to enhance the appearance of a display. Play around with different types of clothes in your displays to see what works and what doesn't. The key thing to remember is that you want to catch shoppers' attention while staying relevant to your store's niche.

Get Creative

Don't be afraid to experiment with different creative elements with your window display. Following the same generic structure as your competitors' displays will only hurt you in the long run; it's the stores that take a step away from the ordinary that ultimately win. Allow your creative juices to flow by transitioning your ideas into physical form.

Create A Scene

Another simple yet effective way to incorporate props into a window display is to create a scene. With the holidays upon us, there's no better time than now to use fake snow accompanied with reindeer, Christmas trees, etc. And even when the holidays are gone, you can still use this tactic to improve your display's visual appeal.

Use Resources

You only have a finite amount of space in which to work; therefore, you must use it wisely. Don't clutter your space with oversized props that will limit your ability to use other items. Instead, stick with smaller items that provide full freedom to create the display YOU want to create.

Vendors

If you need help incorporating props into your store's window displays, contact the product vendor. Most vendors will gladly send a representative to assist you in setting up their products in a display. After all, the vendor makes money when you make a sale, so it only makes sense for them to help you in this department.

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Retail Window Displays 101: What Store Owners Should Know

If you look closely at the business strategies behind successful, long-running retail stores and businesses, you will find that nearly all of them focus on attention-grabbing product displays. Regardless of what the store sells, visual product displays play a key role in its overall success. They'll work to emphasize the importance of special deals and promotions while creating a sense of urgency in shoppers.

Setting Up a Window Display

A retail window display should contain products relevant to the overall theme of the store in a way that catches the attention of passer-byes. This is especially important if your store is set up in a strip mall or shopping center with several other businesses nearby. Shoppers walking around outside of your store will notice the window display and 'hopefully' feel drawn to entering. Creating an attractive, eye-catching window display will naturally result in more customers and more sales.

So, how do you set up an effective window display in your retail store? It really depends on the store's niche. For instance, an apparel store could benefit from a couple well-dressed mannequins featuring some of the top-selling items and accessories.

Don't limit your window displays solely to apparel and accessories, however, but also include other items that compliment the outfit. You could place a beach ball and a surfboard in your window display for a summer-inspired theme. Another idea is to style your mannequins in athletic apparel and compliment the look with a basketball or some other sports equipment nearby.

Bring Attention To Your Displays With Lighting

Whether it's a window display or traditional in-store display, you need to use the right lighting to bring more attention to it. Setting up a store display with low lighting will have little effect on shoppers in your store.

Don't be afraid to install new track lights around your displays for additional illumination. Placing a strip of track lights on both the ceiling and the ground will create an intense display of illumination that brings a greater amount of focus to the displays. One of the great things about track lighting is that you adjust their direction to focus on specific products, so play around with it to find the best setting.

Seek Help From The Manufacturer or Distributor

You might be surprised to learn that product manufacturers and distributors will oftentimes help retail stores set up displays featuring their products.

If you are having trouble choosing an attractive display for your store, reach out to the distributor and/or manufacturer to see if they are willing to help. Remember, they want you to make sells simply because it's more money in their pocket; therefore, there's a good chance they will help you with your product displays. They may ship out a cardboard cutout display to use in your store, or they may send a representative to help you.

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Visual Merchandising Tips For Furniture Stores

Furniture store photo by Elvert Barnes via Flickr Creative Commons.

Visual merchandising plays an important role in the function of any brick-and-mortar store that sells a physical product. It allows business owners to entice shoppers to make a purchase, which of course drives up revenue. But visual merchandising is particularly crucial in furniture stores, as customers need to see how the furniture looks in a typical home setting.

Importance of Visual Merchandising In Furniture Stores

Trying to convince a shopper to purchase a new sofa, recliner, or bedroom suite requires a different approach than other products. When someone heads out in search of a new piece of furniture, they typically don't have a specific model in mind, but rather they have a general idea of what they want. It's the store owner's job to convince the shopper to purchase their product. So, where does visual merchandising come into play?

Visual merchandising allows furniture stores owners to make their products more relatable to shoppers. And when shoppers can relate to a particular furniture piece, they will feel more inclined to buy it. The bottom line is that every furniture store owner should leverage the power of visual merchandising to boost their sales.

Visual Merchandising Tips For Retail Stores:

Avoid using all-furniture displays. This creates a generic, non-authentic appearance that will ultimately hurt your sales.

Fill shelves and bookcases with books, flower-filled vases (real or faux flowers), glass bowls, etc.

Create authentic-looking sections of furniture, mimicking the appearance of actual bedrooms, living rooms and offices.

Illuminate your furniture with ample lighting. In addition to standard overhead lighting, you may also want to use track lighting, wall sconces, desk lamps and even free-standing floor lamps.

Make your furniture displays relatable to different customers. This tip can work for most types of retail businesses, furniture included.

Track the effectiveness of your furniture store's displays. If you noticed a significant decline in sales after setting up a new display, perhaps you should change it.

Furniture stores are unique in the sense that customers typically don't return to make additional purchases on a regular basis. However, that doesn't mean you can leave the same displays sitting in your store for months on end. Experiment with new arrangements, color combinations, and decorative accessories to see what works and what doesn't.

Furniture store photo by Elvert Barnes via Flickr Creative Commons.

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The Beginner's Guide To Styling a Mannequin

Creating an effective window display requires a keen eye, ample lighting, and mannequins dresses in the right garments/accessories. Failing to account for any of these elements will ultimately hinder your display's ability to attract new customers. So, what's the best approach to styling a mannequin?

Slow and Steady Wins The Race

Don't rush the process of styling your store's mannequins. Granted, most store owners are working on limited time, but you should take a slow, methodical approach to ensure an effective display. Tossing up a mannequin with no real sense of style or design will come back to haunt you in the long run, so don't try to rush it.

Where Should I Place My Mannequins?

Now for the million-dollar question: where should I place my mannequins? You really have one of two different options: you can place them in the window display (assuming your store has one), or you can place them inside your store.

Placing mannequins in a window display will likely offer the greatest benefit, as shoppers will notice them from the outside of your store. If you style them with the right accessories and garments, this will subsequently attract shoppers into your store. Of course, there are benefits to setting up mannequins inside a store as well, such as the ability to highlight new products and sections. If you can't seem to choose between setting up your mannequins in a window display or inside the store, I recommend doing both.

Beginner's Tips For Styling a Mannequin

There are a countless number of ways to style a mannequin, ranging from simple one-piece garments to full-blown outfits with a centralized theme.

Consider the color scheme of your mannequin's garments and accessories. Ideally, you want to choose colors that catch shoppers' attention, but you also want to make sure they match and flow cohesively with one another.

If you need a little design inspiration, check out some of your competitors' displays. You don't have to necessarily copy them, but viewing other displays may spark a new idea for your own store.

Keep it simple. Stick with a single theme or idea for your mannequin displays.

When styling a mannequin, take breaks periodically to step back and few your work from afar.

I know this probably sounds like common sense, but make sure the garments and accessories fit the mannequin on which they are used.