The displays in your store are an important piece of the retail puzzle. Customers’ opinions are affected by everything that they see. You want to control what the customer thinks as much as possible. Here we will discuss some of the dos and don’ts of retail displays. Following these guidelines will help your customers to feel like your prices are fair and hopefully increase your sales.
WHAT ARE POINT OF PURCHASE DISPLAYS?
Point of purchase displays, or POP displays, are used in retail boutiques to increase awareness of a product and to increase the sale of a certain product. POP displays inform the customer about advantages of a product or point out details about the product or brand that may increase the customer’s desire to purchase it. POP displays are one of the most highly effective forms of merchandising that there are. Historically, their sales success is only trumped by mannequin displays. However, that could change as customers are becoming savvy shoppers and are use more scrutiny when making purchases. Here are some tips on creating POP displays and making sure that they are as effective as possible in your boutique.
THE INFLUENCE OF STORE DESIGN
When setting up a retail store or boutique, you need to think about a lot more than “where everything will fit”. The arrangement of your products, brands, and aisles can have a big influence on what your customers buy. If everyone entered your store, found exactly what they came in for, bought it, and left, you would not be very successful. It is up to you to entice people to shop longer and buy more than what they originally planned. There are a few ways to do this that we will discuss here.
BOUTIQUES USE DECORATIONS AS DISPLAYS
Boutiques have a certain appeal that attracts customers to them. They emit an ambiance that makes people feel comfortable while they shop. They make people feel like the items they are finding are unique and even exotic. The atmosphere is so important because people don’t shop at boutiques to find the best deals or to have loads of merchandise to choose from. They go there for the experience. They like how the boutique experience makes them feel. As a boutique owner, it is up to you to create the atmosphere that will keep your customers returning, time and time again.
RETAIL PREPARES FOR THE HOLIDAYS
You may be gearing up for the holiday season and wondering how you can attract more customers than your competition. You don’t necessarily have to slash your prices to get ahead of the game. There are plenty of things that customers are looking for that do not include deep discounts. It is up to you to help customers determine what they want and how much they want to pay for it. This doesn’t mean that you have to lay it on thick with sales pitches. It simply means that you need to pay close enough attention to details that you will give customers the perception of the price they are willing to pay.
EMPLOYEE THEFT PREVENTION TECHNIQUES
There are so many factors that can negatively affect your retail business. Fluctuations in customer perception, shortages from suppliers, increasing international shipping costs, availability of loans, and the spending habits of your target market are all things that can have an impact on your bottom line. A lot of these things are out of your control. Small retail business owners, like boutique owners, can really feel the pinch when the economy takes a dive. The last thing you should have to worry about is loss due to theft.
BOUTIQUE PROBLEM SOLUTIONS
Running a boutique is rewarding, but it can also be a major source of stress for many people. There are so many things that can affect the success of your business, that it’s important to make sure you prevent as many problems as possible before they happen. When the economy takes a downturn, small business owners are the first to feel it. Shipping costs can increase, inventories can dwindle, loans can be difficult to get, and people just aren’t spending money like they used to. All of these things may feel like they’re out of your control, but there are ways to help steady your business so that these things don’t put you under.
RETAIL SELLING TIPS
Suggestive selling is one of the easiest ways to increase sales while providing your customers with beneficial information. Customers generally appreciate suggestive selling techniques whether they buy more or not. They feel important and like you are willing to help them by providing them with information that they could use.