Spring Fever

Up here in Canada, we're going nuts waiting for spring weather to come...

Just to make sure you're in the mood and ready, here's a link to last year's spring inspiration as well as a few more photos. Let's get the creative juices flowing!

10 Days window display from the side at Thread Hill

SuperDry display for Revolution Boutique

Flourishing Retailers Tip

Through my travels and Pinterest scanning this past week, my eye has been drawn how retailers are using their vertical space. Chances are your walls are tall enough that customers can’t reach everything; making use of this extra space can have quite an impact on your store’s overall look and feel.

          Your Flourish Tip:

Use the vertical space to deliver a brand message, through graphics, props, or merchandise displays reflecting what can be found nearby.

Empty, unused space above your fixtures can give your retail space the unfortunate appearance of looking empty, low in stock, or simply unfinished.  Sadly, customers can’t reach this space or any merchandise stored within it, so what do we do?

Use graphics driving your brand or image – specifically lifestyle-oriented images showing customers how happy they will be while using the product.  Take a look the next time you’re shopping in a mall to see how corporate retailers have used their graphics.

 

The area above your fixtures can also be used for additional merchandise displays, such as bust forms dressed in garments found below or a vignette containing interesting combinations of merchandise stored nearby.

Probably one of the most interesting uses of the high-up space I’ve seen is to display props that relate to the merchandise: This way you have an interesting display but aren’t using sellable inventory.

What can you do to make your vertical space more interesting? (I would love to see your opinions or ideas in the comments section below.)

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Flourishing Retailers Tip

Retail is the one business where change for the sake of change makes sense.  Change major displays up every four weeks wherever possible.

Where Faeries Live

Remember...  80% of your profits come from 20% of your customers and those customers visit more often than others.  By constantly rotating stock and changing up feature areas, you’re giving them something new to look at even when the merchandise isn’t necessarily all that new.

Consider scheduling changes, flips, and feature area displays on your calendar or with your team.  Explain to your team why you’re making these changes and what the purpose is.  If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the workload, consider hiring someone dedicated Visual Merchandising or bring on a freelancer or a professional.

Keep this in mind: frequent change will show you a difference in top line sales as well as profits!

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Tip of the Week + Bonus

Visual merchandising isn't just about selling more.  It’s about inspiring the customer, giving them ideas, making them feel good, and making their lives easier.

Cloud Nine Pajamas

Proper visual merchandising really is done for the customer and with the customer in mind and that’s the only way it can be truly effective. 

We create displays in order to show customers a whole look, show them trends, and to give them a feeling around the merchandise.  We’re making their time shopping so much easier by pulling everything together for them, so be sure to layer the look right up to give them options and make sure the merchandise is nearby and easy to pick up.

We’re inspiring customers to make their home an oasis, wardrobe beautiful, and gifts incredible.  Placing ad-on items nearby helps them to round out their purchase and pull together the perfect package.

Keep the customer in mind when you’re merchandising your store.  Remember how you’re helping them every time you set up a new display and you will be successful.  After all, they’re why you’re doing what you’re doing, right?

Bonus Tip:

  

It’s time to start formulating a plan to execute your holiday visual merchandising!  Don’t forget to book your helpers to make sure they’ll all be there.

Fall Display Inspiration

Well, back to school is upon us...  Kids are grumbling, parents are happy, and everyone is looking for fresh fall merchandise and exciting fall displays! 

It's that time of year to evoke that crisp fall feeling with crunchy leaves and cozy knits in your store.  

If you haven't set your fall displays up yet and are looking for inspiration, here's some of mine.  Enjoy!

Fall by Flourish at Cloud Nine Pajamas

Fall decor balls at Elegant Expressions

Fall Dinnerware by Flourish at Elegant Expressions

Fall Dinnerware by Flourish at Elegant Expressions

Fall Dinnerware by Flourish at Elegant Expressions

Elegant Fall by Flourish for Elegant Expressions

Fall window by Flourish for mbellish

Mabon at Where Faeries Live

Mabon window decoration at Where Faeries Live

Mabon Mannequin at Where Faeries Live

Fall furniture and decor by Flourish

Fall furniture and decor by Flourish

Want a professional look for fall?  Get in touch with Flourish today: website, facebook, twitter, and Pinterest, too!

Tip of the Week

When communicating to your customers through signage, try to ensure that the wording is positive rather than negative.  Focus on the behaviour you want.

For example; instead of “Do not touch” you could have a sign that says “Please ask for assistance” or an even more fun “For your safety, we are happy to help you investigate this item further.”

Nobody likes being told what they can and can’t do and I can’t think of anyone that likes hearing the word NO.  So, you really should avoid using it with your customers. 

Happy selling!

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Tip of the Week

Use visual merchandising to tell your customers a story.  This could be a story centered around lifestyle, colour, trend, or anything else you can imagine!

Spring table display at Elegant Expressions, by Flourish

Any display should give a customer a feeling or a sense, hopefully a good one! This is what telling them a story with merchandise is all about.

Are you having trouble getting started or do you need some inspiration? First, check your marketing calendar... how can you tie in your displays? Second, look for ideas online. In fact, feel free to visit our Pinterest page linked below! Most important of all, have fun with it and so will your customers.

Happy selling!

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Fixtures Close Up Favorites

I first found Fixtures Close Up on Pinterest and now I look forward to my daily fixtures emails, so I asked Tony Kadysewski if I could share some of my favorites with you!  He generously agreed, so here they are in no particular order!

Also...  These are just the favorites I found, there are so many more gems all over the Fixtures Close Up blog.  You can find everything from big box retail solutions to high end boutique solutions, so set aside some time to go digging!

Industrial and Rural Chic Combine

Image Courtesy of Fixtures Close Up

This is a great DIY project for your store!  Be sure to merchandise any unique configurations neatly to really maximize impact.

Do-It-Yourself Store Fixtures

Photos Courtesy of Simplified Building Concepts and Fixtures Close Up

What a great industrial look for menswear!  If you're not handy, though, be sure to get help from someone who is.

Do-It-Yourself Wood Box Display

Image courtesy of Goncalo Pinho and Fixtures Close Up

What a fun fixture to put together yourself and it wouldn't even be overly expensive!

Haberdash Designer Peg'd Board

Image courtesy of Dezeen, Haberdash and Form Us With Love, as well as Fixtures Close Up

What a fun display!  This could be done anywhere in-store, just be sure it's a feature area!  It could also be a fun backdrop in a simple window with a mannequin.

Plaid on a Pegboard

Image courtesy of Fixtures Close Up

Okay, pegboard usually isn't the go-to material when we think of visual merchandising, but here it is looking good for menswear!  This is pegboard done right.

Lingerie in a Bell Jar

Image courtesy of Fixtures Close Up

Do you really want to make something feel special?  Put it in a bell jar!

Jack Daniel's Barrels as Decor

Image courtesy of Mark Steele Photography, Display and Design Ideas, and Fixtures Close Up

Ahhhh...  Doesn't it just make sense?

Wash Tub Bulk Bins

Image Courtesy of Fixtures Close Up

I've loved this fixture from the first time I saw it and it makes a great DIY project for items sold in bulk!

Store Self-Dispenses T-shirts

Image courtesy of Shop Design Gallery, Streetology, and Fixtures Close Up

Ahhhh...  A good colour flow just makes my heart happy...

Shoe and Sock Color Cross Sell

Image courtesy of Fixtures Close Up

Add on selling at its best!  They say visual merchandising is the silent sales person for a reason...

Have you got more favorites?  Link to them in the comments section below and don't forget to follow the links (headings) to the actual articles from Fixtures Close Up.  There, you'll find more info and additional photos!

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

Happy Selling!

Tip of the Week

Take the plastic off!  Customers like to see, feel, and touch and plastic packaging or film impedes their instincts.

Have you ever watched someone browse a store, with their hands on everything?  Have you ever listened to a mom constantly try to remind their kids to "look with your eyes, not with your hands" to no avail?  That's because, instinctively, we need to feel an item before we buy it and that's not just limited to textiles!

The biggest objection I hear to removing packaging is damage.  Removing the plastic from an item can result in a lightly soiled or damaged item, but you are likely to sell far more of it and the items around it.  Selling your display model at a discount is a small price to pay.

Happy selling!

Are you left wanting more?  Sign up to have the tip of the week sent directly to your inbox and receive even more info about each tip!  Sign up here.

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

Shopping is all about perceived value.  The way you display and merchandise your product can have a large impact on how valuable the customer perceives it to be.  Does your store make your merchandise look valuable?

I'm sure you've heard the term perceived value a few times; it refers to the value a customer assigns to a product or service in their head.  How much do they deem that product to be worth?  When their perceived value is compared to the actual asking price, it can make or break their buying decision.

When items are merchandised or displayed in a way that makes them appear valuable or expensive, the price on the sticker can be less scary to look at and possibly even a relief. If the customer perceives the item of their desire to be a great value, they'll most often buy!


Are you left wanting more?  Sign up to have the tip of the week sent directly to your inbox and receive even more info about each tip!  Sign up here.

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

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