The Do’s and Don’ts of Using Retail Signage

Do Use Bold Colors

The primary purpose of retail signs is to capture shoppers’ attention, which is why it’s important to use bold, easy-to-see colors. Opting for white, beige or other colors with low visibility will only hurt your efforts in the long run. Whether your store sells apparel, sporting goods, pet supplies, electronics or any other consumer product, be sure to include bold-colored signs throughout your store.

Do Use Signs to Guide Shoppers

Retail store owners and managers should use signs to guide shoppers to various departments and/or products. Apparel stores, for instance, may hang large signs over various departments such as men’s clothing, women’s clothing, children’s, footwear, etc. Instead of forcing shoppers to venture around aimlessly in search of these departments, they’ll know exactly where to go thanks to the signs.

Do Perform a Test Run

It’s always a good idea to place yourself in the shoes of a shopper to see whether or not your signs “work.” Can you see easily spot the signs? Do they provide useful information regarding the nearby departments and/or products? What emotions do the signs trigger? These are just a few of the questions that you should attempt to answer when using signs in your retail store.

Don’t Obstruct View

When placing signs throughout your store, make sure shoppers can easily see them. If you place a mannequin or some other display in front of a sign, it’s not going to prove beneficial in capturing shoppers’ attention. Signs should be placed with a clear line of sigh so that shoppers can see them.

Don’t Use too Many Words

It’s best to follow the “less is more” approach when designing signs for your retail store. Creating signs featuring full sentences isn’t the best approach, as shoppers have short attention spans; thus, you should focus on short and concise signs with just a few words. Focusing your efforts on signs with just a few words will yield a greater response by shoppers — and that’s exactly what you should be trying to accomplish.

Don’t Hang Signs without a Holder

It’s recommended that you use a holder for your signs to protect them from damage. A basic metal or acrylic holder will preserve your signs so they maintain their shape and structural integrity, allowing you to get more bang for your buck.

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