Consumers and retailers alike are ready for spring.

Everyone is certainly ready for spring, especially shoppers who have been stuck indoors during this difficult winter. Will your store be ready to draw them in? Creative use of store fixtures makes merchandise so eye-catching, shoppers can hardly resist stepping through the door.

That’s certainly true for stores devoted entirely to retail sales, but it’s also true for merchandise displays in a salon or similar type of business. Highlighting spring items is a proven way to increase sales.

Store fixtures not only showcase new arrivals, but they also demonstrate how customers might wear or use new products. Place displays in the window and by the entrance, and strategically around the store to create focal points that attract customer attention and lead them into all of your merchandise areas.

Consider what these different types of store fixtures can do for your business:

Mannequins
Human dimension makes apparel look more appealing. Modern mannequins are more natural looking, and can be placed in more realistic or interesting poses. Use a grouping of mannequins to present various options customers may want to consider – colors, mix-and-match combinations, and accessorizing possibilities.

Slatwall or Wire Grid
These store fixtures are especially useful for displaying clothing, accessories, jewelry and equipment. Use them to highlight a central item such as an article of clothing or piece of equipment, by positioning that item in the center. Then surround it with add-on components, accessories or other complementary merchandise.

There are numerous display accessories available for slatwall and wire grid fixtures -- baskets, shelves, faceouts, etc. Use them to customize your displays and change them around periodically, to attract new interest as additional spring items arrive.

Tables
Library style, tiered or round, tables are wonderfully versatile for creating two-sided or in-the-round presentations. Remember to avoid creating a visual or physical “fence” that impedes line of sight or easy store navigation.

Certain display techniques can help you make the most of your store fixtures:

• End caps are showy, good for new items or as demonstration areas. Studies show end caps generate three to five times the sales of other display areas, so put your highest-margin spring items here.
• Use a bright, focused spotlight to highlight a particular item, or a broader spotlight to emphasize an area.

Signage is an important display companion.

Signs help direct shoppers, especially if you make good use of color or interesting three-dimensional graphics. Digital signage is the ultimate. It isn’t just trendy, it sells. It’s like having more sales people on your floor.

Digital signage can take the form of flatscreen monitors or stand-alone or table-top kiosks. These devices take store fixtures to a higher level, making displays more irresistible and more interactive. If it moves, people will be attracted to it. And if they can work it themselves, they’ll be entirely captivated. Digital displays help customers:

• Learn more about your products.
• Create an outfit, or custom-build a piece of equipment, by combining various options.
• Order merchandise.
• Sign up for a contest.
• Take an on-the-spot quick survey to vote for their favorite outfit, or color.

Why not reconfigure your entire store for spring?

Spring is a time of reawakening, new beginnings. Whether you sell apparel or toys, housewares or electronics, sporting goods or garden supplies, creative use of store fixtures can awaken shopper interest by highlighting your new spring items. But you can do more. Repositioning portable store fixtures can give your entire business a renewed look, sparking interest in all your merchandise.

If you have additional questions about retail solutions, connect with us on our website at www.palmerretailsolutions.com. Keep current with industry discussions and product information on Twitter: @PalmerPRS. Palmer derives great satisfaction from designing unique interactive kiosks that incorporate maximum functionality, ergonomics and offer long-lasting service. Click here to receive a USB FLASH DRIVE containing great examples of retail store design, display fixtures and mall kiosks.

Palmer Retail Solutions strives to offer our clients the absolute best combination of innovation, quality, service, and value for our diversified custom store fixtures and merchandising displays. For more information about our designs, retail fixtures, cash wraps, kiosks, or point of purchase displays, visit our website at http://www.palmerretailsolutions.com.