Creative Ways To Display Shoes In Your Store

According to data presented by the National Shoe Retailers Association (NSRA) and the Census Bureau, consumers in the U.S. spend approximately $20 billion annually on footwear. Shoes are an essential item that every man, woman and child needs, which is why this industry is so large. But one of the hurdles faced by shoe stores is trying to display their product in an attractive manner. Due to their small size and unique characteristics, you can’t display them in the same manner as traditional garments.

The good news is that there are several solutions available for displaying shoes and footwear in a retail store. Whether you own a dedicated shoe store or a clothing store that including shoes, you should experiment with different ways to display them. The right display can make a world of difference, driving more shoppers through the door while subsequently boosting your store’s sales and revenue.

If you aren’t using shoe risers in your retail store, you’re missing out on one of the easiest and most effective ways to showcase footwear. As the name suggests, a shoe “riser” is essentially a raised platform on which shoes are displayed. Shoe risers vary in size, shape and material, with slanted acrylic/plastic being the most popular. So, what’s the purpose of a shoe riser? Displaying footwear on the ground level isn’t exactly appealing. In fact, most shoppers will walk right by it without taking notice. However, lifting it just slightly off the floor with a shoe riser will grab shoppers’ attention.

Another option for displaying shoes involves the use of shelving (see photo above). This is arguably the easiest way to display a large number of shoes, allowing store owners to maximize their available space. The only downside is that it doesn’t create the same connection with the shopper as shoe risers. A good rule of thumb is to place top-selling shoes on risers and the remaining footwear stock on shelves.

In case you were wondering, men’s athletic shoes are the single most popular type of shoes purchased in the U.S., accounting for an estimated 20% of the market, while women’s casual shoes come in a close second at 17%, followed by women’s dress shoes at 13%.

If you have any questions at all about shoe displays or visual merchandising in general, please give us a call at 800.241.6897 or email us at /contact-us/.