Tip of the Week

Avoid scattering key items around the store as they can lose their impact and clutter the space.  Grouping merchandise makes it stronger.

I know, it can be so tempting... and sometimes you worry that if you don't have something in a few places, your customers will miss it!  The truth is if you have one here, one over there, one in the back of the store, and one at the front, customers are even more likely to miss it.

Creating a strong presentation with emphasis on key items ensures that they will be visible to customers as they are passing by. 

I hear a lot of people say that it works in their store; that their customers are different.  If that's you, just try grouping a key item and making it the focal point of a display for a few weeks.  You may find that it works even better for you.


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 Have you got questions for Melissa? Check us out on facebook, twitter, Pinterest, the flourish website, or send Melissa an email.

Tip of the Week

Don’t have enough money for brand new fixtures?  Check Kijiji or Craigslist for used fixtures, interesting furniture pieces, and anything else you can use in the store.  Then paint them all the same colour to unify them in the space.

I, personally, tend to use Kijiji the most.  You can search the item you're looking for exactly or just browse if you're not sure!  By doing this, you'll be able to find all sorts of interesting items that nobody else has.

Be sure to check the quality of the piece before making your purchase.  Check joints, give it a wiggle test to make sure it's sturdy, and make sure that it's solid wood and not a laminate/particle board product so that you can re-finish it as you please.

Once you've gathered your unique items, give them a few coats of paint or stain in the same colour to unify them within the store!

Tip of the Week

Keep your displays moving and changing.  It’s change that keeps your customers interested.

I think it's true, what they say...  Change is the spice of life!

It's also said that 80% of your profit comes from 20% of your customers and I bet you know who those customers are!  You need to invest your time and energy in keeping regular customers interested and frequent change is the way to do that. 

Every time you change your displays, it feels as though there is new product in the store, gives customers new ideas, and generates interest.  It is worth your time.

Have you got questions for Melissa? Check us out on facebook, twitter, Pinterest, the flourish website, or send Melissa an email.

Tip of the Week

When displaying furniture for sale, be sure to leave your customer enough room to try it out.  Often times, people need to see things as they would use them at home.

This could mean allowing room to sit on a chair or sofa or space to see the finish on a table top.  It could also mean leaving room for customers to move in between pieces.

When considering sales per square foot, it can be tempting to fill every inch of available space, but that could actually impede sales both furniture and products alike.

Spring Display Inspiration

Well, here in Edmonton, Canada, the snow is finally starting to melt (again) and we may begin to get our hopes up about spring (maybe).  While nothing is blooming outside, spring is in full swing indoors and I thought I'd provide a little bit of spring inspiration to get your displays blooming! 

These photographs are from a variety of years past, so you'll se several different qualities and while some have seen the likes of Instagram, others have not.  I just wanted to pull out some of my favourites for you to enjoy!


Easter Bunny set at Kingsway

 

 

Easter at Home Outfitters

Easter Gourmet at Elegant Expressions

Spring Dinnerware at Elegant Expressions

 

Vintage Spring at Elegant Expressions

 

 

Spring at Bellies Maternity and Baby

 

 

Lemon & Lime at Elegant Expressions

 

 

Eco Pod at Home |Outfitters

 

 

Tuscan Romance at Elegant Expressions

 

 

Spring at Cloud Nine Pajamas

 

 

Spring in Pink at Elegant Expressions

 

 

KEYLIME Athletic Wear

 

Zen Spring at Elegant Expressions

Tip of the Week - a two-fer!

Well, here at Flourish, we've been busy bringing spring to Edmonton (indoors, not out, we're not miracle workers).  Since we've been so busy, we've let the tip of the week slide, so this week you get two tips!

When setting up a trade show or craft booth, a little planning can go a long way.  Take the time to lay it out first, before set up day.

You don't need to be a pro at drafting in order to create a quick and easy trade show booth floor plan.  You can use simple graph paper or a table with squares in excel in order to create a simplified floor plan.

 

Aisles should always have enough room to allow people to pass comfortably.  The last thing you want is for a customer to feel crowded or claustrophobic.

Try to ensure at least three feet of space in aisle areas.  Customers need room for strollers, wheelchairs, walkers, bags, packages, and to pass one another!  If you can spare even more than three feet, go for it!  If you absolutely must, two and half feet is the absolute bare minimum.

What happens if you don't follow this rule?  Well, you'll not only see frustrated and even angry customers, but also likely lose sales. 

 

Tip of the Week

One of the biggest mistakes a retailer can make is thinking they’re on an island where the general rules of shopper behaviour and other common human needs don’t apply.

Unless they have free wifi at the zoo, all of us reading this are human and that is a fact.  Humans have certain behaviours, certain ways we view a space, and certain ways we interact with that space.  This is due to our instincts and the way our brains work. 

While I'm always open to new points of view and new information, many retailers claim that "customers simply don't operate that way in my store."  Consider what could happen if you gave shoppers an opportunity to follow their instincs and natural methods of shopping...  Would your sales increase?  Are you willing to take a chance on that?

Consider how your store is set up and what you can do to help humans in it behave the way they like to behave, and hopefully purchase lots of merchandise!

Happy selling!

Have you got questions for Melissa? Check us out on facebook, twitter, Pinterest, the flourish website, or send Melissa an email.