Visual merchandising is the most crucial component of retail merchandising. We all hear that seeing is believing, and visual merchandising is proof of it. Often we buy products because looking at them makes us happy or because the in-store experience went well. Picture a brand with quality products, but alas! The interior of their store doesn’t match their products, or the lighting is faulty. Would that leave a good impression? According to science, 80% will read something or visit someplace if it’s colorful because their brain is attracted to vibrant things. Moreover, who has time to read long passages? Research says 43% of consumers prefer to buy a product after seeing it online or in person.
What includes Visual Merchandising
Store interiors are the focus of visual merchandising, which aims to create a memorable customer experience. While preparing a store’s outlook, visual merchandisers include every nook and cranny. They use various types of visual merchandising strategies to grab customer attention. Some of these techniques are as follows.
Showcase products in the window
What does a customer see while passing the store? It’s the shop’s window. Brands strategically place their new arrivals behind the front window. Another way to get customers’ attention is to display sales and promotional items behind the window to attract passersby.
Use shelves and props.
Windows only help lure in customers, but they can lose interest readily if they don’t find the store according to their liking. Brands divide their items into sections and place mannequins, shelves, and racks throughout the store to give the store a neat and finished look. Brands now use vertical racks for shoes, and shoppers love this change as the shoes become more approachable.
Sign Boards
When a store has several stories, brands place sign boards to direct customers in the right direction. People appreciate clear and concise signage that displays sales prices, product descriptions, and navigation signs.
Lighting
Lighting can make or break a customer’s mood. Dull lighting in clothing or a makeup store may disappoint customers. Lighting helps highlight newly launched products and make them more appealing to the customer.
Digital displays
Some brands use digital media to engage their customers. LEDs display short animations, pictures, and video clips that portray their products in a fun and creative way. You can find digital displays at different locations throughout the store, especially behind the checkout counter.
At-the-counter sales
Point of purchase sales is a tactic used by many brands. This strategy encourages the customers to make one last impulsive buy. These items may include small accessories, perfumes, or sweets (if it’s a supermarket).
Product packaging
Undoubtedly, we should not judge a book by its cover, but the packaging does play a role in customer attraction. People praise eco-friendly packaging and prefer to buy from brands that promote this notion.
Benefits of Visual Merchandising
Visual merchandising is so in demand for some crucial reasons. According to a survey, 93% of people buy products based on the vibrancy of the store and the product. Businesses benefit from visual merchandising by probing customers’ minds and influencing them to buy more products.
Engage more and more customers.
Visual merchandisers use psychology tactics to taper into customers’ minds and influence them to buy more products. When you provide customers with a comfortable environment, they feel loyalty to that brand. When the number of customers increases, it helps businesses generate more revenue.
Helps brands stand out
The business industry is in chaos, and every brand tries to stay on top. We have several brands for the simplest of things. Visual merchandising plays a vital role in keeping competent brands at the top. Making your store an experience center, developing engaging multimedia, and creating unique signage help increase the chance of noticeability.
Skyrocketing sales
The formulation of new products and the promotion of sales alone will not boost sales. Visual merchandising brings these activities to light. Visual merchandisers use numerous strategies to highlight the product’s best features and ensure skyrocketing sales.
Customer preferences
Visual merchandisers analyze the reactions of the customers to their different changes. Brands can gain insights into customers’ preferences by closely observing their interactions with visual displays. Brands use this information to shape their future products and activities.