6.03Visual

Merchandising

Visual merchandising**

Attractive and appealing physical display of merchandise combined with effective store layout and décor.

• **The purpose is to present merchandise so the business will receive maximum traffic exposure.

• All visual merchandising activities are directed toward creating sales for the business.

Merchandise presentationThe effective ways merchandise is

hung, placed on shelves or tables, or otherwise made available to customers in retail stores.

Store image

***The perception of the store in the minds of its customers.

Display

Physical and visual presentation of merchandise in an attractive and appealing way.

Goals of visual merchandising• Capture the customer’s interest• Entice customers to enter the store• Visually create sales• Urge customers to make purchases• **Promote the store image• **Attract attention to merchandise• **Educate customers about merchandise• Encourage impulse buying

DISPLAYSPromotional Displays:

Presentations that emphasize merchandise items, lines, or a trend. **things on sale, **new products

Institutional displaysPresentations that provide an idea rather than specific merchandise.

**Red Cross blood drive

Window display

• Customer’s first encounter with the store

• Shows merchandise to those passing to encourage them to enter the store

Exterior presentation of merchandise to generate in-store traffic.

Window displays types

Open window display: A store window that provides a direct view into the store with no back wall to block the view.

• The interior store area is visible from the exterior.

Closed window display: An enclosed store window in which customers can view only the window display and cannot see inside the store through the window.

Interior displays Visual presentation of merchandise inside the store designed to attract customers and motivate them to purchase immediately.

• Island: A display, usually raised, viewable from all sides.

• Ledge: A display shelf usually located about eye level behind a selling counter or above the top surfaces of display units.

• Shadow box: A miniature display, sometimes recessed, that may be locked and lighted and that is often used for high-end merchandise.

•Enclosed: A fully glassed in platform display usually at the entrance to the store or a department within the store.

•Point-of-purchase: Displays near a check out counter used to catch the customer’s eye and *** stimulate impulse buying.

• Flying: A display in which merchandise is hung from the ceiling or stretched across an open space by using fishing line to make it look as though it is flying in the air.

• Showcase: A display case that has a glass top and front used to showcase merchandise the store wants protected.

Décor The decorating theme and the style and appearance of interior furnishings.

Layout

The interior arrangement of the retail facility.

• Selling area

•Area where merchandise is displayed and customers interact with sales personnel

•Usually 75 to 80 percent of the total space

• Sales support areas

•Areas devoted to customer service, merchandise receiving and distribution, management offices, and staff activities

•Should be located for easy customer access to restrooms, gift wrap stations, etc.

Components of visual presentation

(don’t write these down yet . . .)

• Fixtures• Props

– Functional– Decorative

• Lighting• Signs• Materials

1. Fixtures ***Shelves, tables, rods, counters, stands, forms, easels, and platforms used to store merchandise or display merchandise for sale.

2. Props

Objects added in a display to dramatize, get attention, and help to create a theme, an idea, or ambience.

a. Functional props

Objects that physically support or hold merchandise.

•Mannequins

•Pedestals

•Screens

Mannequin

• Form: a smaller version or partial mannequin used as an alternative to a mannequin.

A three-dimensional representation of the human form, realistic or abstract, used to display merchandise.

a. Decorative props

Objects that establish a mood or an attractive setting for the merchandise featured.

3. Lighting

Illumination

•Light creates visual impact.

•Light can create contrast and accent displays.

•Light can place focus on one particular item.

•Colored or black lights may be options.

•Lighting can set the mood for the shopping experience or can create settings for merchandise.

4. Signs

Individual letters or complete signs that communicate information in a retail store.

•Posters

•Banners

•Flags

•Hanging signs

•Counter signs

•Cards

5. MaterialsTools or equipment

used in the construction of displays.

*** tape, wires, foam board, staplers, pins, glue, wood,

Remember these: Elements and principles of design

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

• Color• Line• Shape/silhouette• Texture

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

• Balance• Proportion• Emphasis• Rhythm

Color**• One of the most

influential elements of design used in visual merchandising

• It is the fastest way to attract attention.

• Colors help to create an impression.

Line

• Directs how you want the customer to view the presentation

• Line predicts movement.

Shape/Silhouette

• The outline of the display Texture

•In display, smooth, shiny surfaces reflect light where nubby surfaces absorb light and appear darker.

Balance

• The display may be ***symmetrical (formal) imparting a more calming mood or asymmetrical (informal) reflecting a flamboyant mood.

Proportion

•All merchandise and props used in a display should be of an appropriate size in relationship to other items in the display.

Emphasis• Focal point or

concentration of interest should be defined to the customer. **spotlight

Rhythm

•Brings continuity or easy eye movement to the display

•Moves the customer’s eyes from side to side, back to front, element to element