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The 15 Best Ideas and Types of Retail Displays (That Maximize Sales)

The 15 Best Ideas and Types of Retail Displays (That Maximize Sales)
March 10, 2023
The 15 Best Ideas and Types of Retail Displays (That Maximize Sales)

You have to make sure your products are seen by as many people as possible. But, you also want potential customers to get an idea of what it’s like to use each product.

Creating an engaging and visually appealing display can make all the difference in driving sales. 

Retail displays have the power to attract customers, showcase products in the best possible light, and ultimately, increase your store's revenue.

To that end, we've compiled a list of the 15 best ideas and types of retail displays that are sure to maximize sales.

From creating a compelling window display to incorporating the latest technology, 

Whether you're a small boutique or a large department store, these strategies are designed to capture the attention of shoppers and inspire them to make a purchase.

Read on if you're looking for inspiration and tips to take your retail display to the next level.

 

What Is a Retail Display?

A retail display is a marketing tool used by retailers to showcase their products and promote sales in a retail store or another selling environment. 

Retail displays can take many forms, including product shelving, stands, mannequins, signage, digital displays, and more.

The purpose of a retail display is to capture the attention of potential customers, create interest in the products, and ultimately lead to a purchase. 

Retailers carefully design their displays to create an appealing and engaging shopping experience that encourages customers to explore the store and make purchases.

Effective retail displays often include features such as well-organized product arrangements, attractive signage and graphics, and attention-grabbing lighting. 

You can also theme them around holidays or seasons, or design them to highlight new or popular products. 

Your retail displays are an essential component of your retail strategy, as they help you to drive foot traffic and increase sales.

 

What Is a POP Display?

A POP display, or point-of-purchase display, is a type of retail display designed to promote and sell products at the point of purchase. 

It's typically located near the checkout or other high-traffic areas of a retail store and is intended to catch the eye of customers and encourage them to make an additional purchase.

POP displays come in a variety of forms, including cardboard stands, endcaps, counter displays, and other types of promotional materials. 

They're often used to showcase a specific product or promotion, such as a limited-time offer or a new product launch.

POP displays are effective marketing tools because they are strategically placed in areas where customers are likely to be making purchasing decisions. 

They're also often designed to be eye-catching and attention-grabbing, with bold graphics, bright colors, and creative designs.

Overall, POP displays are an important component of many retail marketing strategies that help to increase brand awareness, drive sales, and ultimately boost revenue.

 

1. Focal Point Displays

Focal points in retail displays are crucial for catching shoppers' attention and generating interest in the featured products. You can achieve this through a single item or group of products positioned at eye level, large enough to be seen from afar, and arranged in an appealing manner. 

From mannequins displaying fashionable outfits to creative product pyramids, a well-executed focal point helps to tell a story, coordinate items, surprise, and intrigue customers, and create an organized, visually appealing display. 

By prioritizing a clear focal point, you'll enhance the shopping experience, increase sales, and keep your displays fresh and attractive to customers.

 

2. Clothing Racks

To create a successful clothing rack that maximizes sales, it should be versatile, well-organized, visually appealing, and properly lit. 

This means it should be able to hold a variety of garments, feature adjustable levels and arms, and have a designated area for merchandise like hats and jewelry. 

Grouping items by color or style enhances the display's aesthetics and makes it easier for customers to find what they need. 

Proper lighting draws attention to the products and creates an inviting atmosphere that encourages sales. 

By incorporating these characteristics, you'll be sure to create a clothing rack that stands out.

 

3. Fixtures and Displays

Fixtures and displays are essential for creating an organized and visually appealing shopping experience in your store. 

They come in wall-mount, floor-standing, and countertop styles, providing ample space, customization, and versatility for different merchandise types. 

These solutions strategically place products, making it easier for customers to find what they need and increasing the likelihood of sales. 

By creating an inviting shopping environment and allowing for customization, you'll showcase your store's products more effectively, and customers are more likely to stay and browse. 

Moreover, these solutions can reduce merchandising and restocking efforts, freeing up time and resources for other business tasks. 

Incorporating fixtures and displays into a store's layout is another smart investment in maximizing sales and improving the shopping experience.

 

4. Colorful Displays

Colorful displays are a great way to draw customers in. 

Bold and vivid window displays can promote sales and seasonal merchandise, and incorporating unique shapes and colors will help the display stand out. 

A ceramic coffee cup display with pinewood panels is an example of how to evoke a specific era or appeal to a local customer base. 

Lastly, plastic bottles can be repurposed to create a statement display that promotes sustainability and the brand's products. 

For example, Anya Hindmarch used 90,000 used plastic bottles to fill her store and promote her new collection made from recycled plastic.

 

5. Handmade Items

If you want to create a memorable experience, displaying handmade items in a retail setting is a great solution. 

It offers many benefits, such as creating a unique display that will leave customers in awe, encouraging customer engagement by allowing them to experience the merchandise first-hand, and drawing in new shoppers. 

Take inspiration from other stores, like Humanité Boutique in Bryson City, North Carolina, who used shutters to create a clothing rack, or Fendi, who put their expensive leather handbags in custom vending machines to attract a younger demographic.

 

6. Fitting Rooms

Fitting rooms offer customers the chance to truly experience the product and get personalized advice from sales staff. 

This leads to higher satisfaction, loyalty, and sales, as well as fewer returns. 

In the end, fitting rooms create a customer-oriented shopping experience, which will boost your store's reputation.

 

7. Pop-up Shops

Pop-up shop displays are an effective way to showcase your products and capture customer data, while still creating an engaging shopping experience. 

Benefits include:

  • Displaying a curated selection of products
  • Capturing customer data for feedback and insights
  • Showcasing new products
  • Using technology to make the shopping experience more interactive. 

By offering a unique shopping experience and carefully curated selection of products, customers are more likely to be enticed to visit the pop-up shop and make a purchase.

 

8. Merchandise Items

Lighting, moving/interactive pieces, props, graphics/window decals, cardboard displays, and marketing messaging are merchandise items that can be used to create effective retail displays. 

Lighting is essential for illuminating products and creating an inviting atmosphere. 

Interactive elements can engage customers and bring attention to products. 

Props such as mannequins help customers visualize the products. 

Graphics and window decals highlight products and can add a visual element. 

Cardboard displays can add texture to merchandising displays. 

Finally, marketing messaging can communicate the store's message, brand, and mission.

 

9. Wall Displays

Wall displays can be a game-changer for maximizing your store's sales. 

Try out different types of wall displays, like slatwall and gridwall, which offer different hanging options. 

Outrigger displays, with rustic plumbing pipes and wood shelving, can also be eye-catching. 

Wall-mounted clothing racks with horizontal and spiral bars can draw customers in and increase sales.

 

10. Archway Displays

Archway displays are a visually striking way to showcase products in your store. 

By featuring an arch-shaped structure, they attract shoppers with their unique design and increase foot traffic to the display. 

Additionally, archway displays are perfect for displaying multiple products in an aesthetically pleasing manner. 

Strategically placed at the entrance of a store, they make a great first impression on customers.

 

11. Wall Art

Wall art works great as a way to showcase retail displays. 

Additionally, wall art can come in many forms, from mural paintings to inspirational quotes to upcycled items. 

Not only does it create an eye-catching and dynamic display, but it also showcases the brand's unique style and aesthetic, grabbing the attention of passersby. 

It can even serve as a form of marketing, as it offers customers a glimpse into the brand's values and ideals. 

Studies have shown that window displays can influence a person's decision to enter a store, making wall art a great way to draw customers in and increase foot traffic. 

Overall, wall art is an effective and creative way to enhance any retail display.

 

12. Art Installations

Retail installations can have numerous benefits for your retail store such as increasing footfall, creating a unique shopping experience, and promoting sustainability. 

They can also support local businesses, build a sense of community, and make a statement about waste.

To create effective retail installations, you can use flexible and eco-friendly materials, such as movable cabinets and displays, and showcase art installations, lighting, and ceramics. 

They can also use sky lenses to reflect natural light and create weather-themed pop-ups for a diverse shopping experience. 

Augmented reality can be used to enhance the visuals and create storytelling opportunities.

 

13. Accents & Accessories

Adding personal touches to your retail displays can make a big impact on sales. 

For example, using a display table to showcase folded clothing items can make it easier for customers to handle and engage with the merchandise. 

You can also use festive decorations to create a fun and memorable shopping experience, especially during special holidays or occasions. Balloons, tassels, and garlands are great options to add a festive touch to your display. 

Additionally, using attention-grabbing colors like red and orange can help draw in customers and influence their buying behavior. Take a cue from Hermès, who used orange as the centerpiece of their window display to create an eye-catching experience that is sure to increase sales.

 

14. Display Units

There are different types of retail display units, each with its own purpose and benefits. 

Point of sale (POS) displays are free-standing presentations that highlight your products and draw shoppers' attention. 

Counter displays are standalone presentations for smaller items that encourage impulse purchases. 

Stock-holding floor stands hold merchandise and elevate the visibility and accessibility of products. 

Each type of display helps increase brand awareness and enhance the shopping experience for your customers.

 

15. Brand Stories

A brand story display combines creative visuals and interactive elements to tell an engaging story about a brand. 

It's an effective marketing tactic that creates a memorable shopping experience, captures customer attention, and generates social media buzz, leading to increased sales. 

By immersing customers in the brand's values through the use of sound, scent, and motion technology, you'll communicate your brand message effectively and create a unique and personalized shopping experience.

 

Conclusion

The design and execution of retail displays can make or break a business's sales success.

Incorporating the best ideas and types of retail displays allows you as a store owner to attract and engage your customers, create an appealing shopping experience, and ultimately, drive more sales.

From the use of color, lighting, and typography to incorporating technology and incorporating interactive elements, there are many ways to create a display that maximizes sales. 

By constantly experimenting and adapting to the changing preferences of their customers, you can stay ahead of the competition and thrive in a crowded marketplace.

So whether you're a small business owner or a retail giant, the power of retail displays should not be underestimated.

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