Top 4 Tools for Visual Merchandising

Running a successful retail store isn’t an easy task. While the exact number remains unknown, some industry experts have estimated there to be more than one million retail stores operating in the United States. With such steep competition, it’s often difficult for new stores to gain any traction with their target audience. But the good news is that visual merchandising can help enhance your store, making it stand out in a sea of competing stores.

Floor Map

Regardless of what product(s) your store sells, you should keep a floor map on hand to strategically plan your product placements and visual merchandising elements. This visual layout will allow you to organize and arrange products for maximum shopper engagement. Furthermore, you can use a floor map to identify “untapped” areas within your store that can be used for signs or other visual merchandising elements.

Planogram

Not to be confused with a floor map, a planogram is another visual diagram of a store’s layout — but it focuses specifically on product placement. Planograms are often used in grocery stores and retail apparel stores, revealing the best possible way to organize and present products using the store’s fixtures. If a store has gridwall, for instance, the planogram will reveal the peg placement in accordance with its respective products. So instead of crossing your fingers and hoping that everything lines up, you can rest assured knowing that your pegs, and their products, will fit just right by following the planogram.

Mannequins

Mannequins are also considered a visual merchandising tool, so don’t forget to use them in your store. Even if you can display your store’s garments or products on a rolling rack, opting for a mannequin may prove well worth the investment. Mannequins allow store owners to present their products (e.g. shirts, dresses, hats, handbags, etc.) in a more relatable manner. Shoppers can see exactly how the product looks when worn by a human if it’s displayed on a mannequin.

Signs

Last but not least, signs are another key tool used in visual merchandising. Signs can be used for any number of different purposes, from guiding shoppers to a particular section, to showcasing discount/clearance items. Regardless, be sure to include signs as part of your visual merchandising strategy.

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