Humans are visual beings. We see the world best through our eyes. Our brains love pictures and colors, making it easier to understand things. Even when we think, we often use words like "see the future" because sight is so strong for us. Therefore, it is unsurprising that visual merchandising plays a defining role in retail sales. 75% of consumers stay longer in visually attractive stores. This is why retailers invest so much time and effort in creating visually appealing displays to attract customers and encourage them to make a purchase. By strategically placing products, using eye-catching colours, and creating engaging window displays, retailers can significantly impact consumer behavior. Ultimately, visual merchandising can make the difference between a customer walking past a store and walking out with a bag full of products.
What is Visual Merchandising?
Advantages of Visual Merchandising
1. Attracts Customers: Eye-catching displays attract people and make them want to explore the store.
3. Strengthens Brand Image: A cohesive visual style throughout the store reinforces the brand's personality and creates a lasting impression on customers.
Like every other thing of import, good visual merchandising is built upon the bedrock of some basic tenets; some absolute truths which have remained constant since time immemorial. Let’s dive in and learn more about them.
Example: Polycab increased its brand visibility by switching the traditional retail signage with digital signage.
Example: Shoppers Stop, a leading department store chain in India, follows a minimalist approach in many of their stores. They keep the clothing racks spaced evenly and use clean lines to showcase their diverse product range. This allows customers to focus on the details and styles of each item.
Example: Clothing stores like Manyavar use softer lighting with pops of warm yellow to create a more inviting shopping experience.
5. Right Storytelling: A well-crafted story taps into your customers' desires and aspirations. Storytelling means showcasing your products in a way that highlights their functionality and benefits.
6. Right Technology: Incorporating technology into your visual merchandising strategy is essential. Explore solutions like the 1Channel Retail Execution Management tool, which can streamline store operations and improve inventory management, and deployment tracking.
Visual merchandising is an age-old practice that retail sales experts know well. However, it is also one that requires meticulous attention to detail. If you’re looking for someone who can do that for you, come chat with us.