Visual Merchandising- Display Techniques

Visual Merchandising is all about creating the best of experience for Customers by the Brands. There are numerous ways of getting the job done but among those, setting up a wall full of merchandise is among the most tricky ones.

Colors are key

People relate & respond to colors, our mind always tend to express some emotion when colors are involved, hence leading to create a response or an action. Bring this theory to display merchandise, and see how consumers response to it. Its not a written fact but with surveys, questionaries & experience we can say that majority of us are right handed. And that's why most of the brands try to follow the right hand rule (to be discussed in another write- up). Segregate merchandise in groups of colors & then start arranging them in a flow (we are suggesting left to right). Strat your display from top & then reach bottom. So the flow goes like- left to right & top to bottom. (ref to the img below)

Seasons also are important as colors can have different effects on individuals in different seasons. That is why the designers always pick a color pallet for every season based on the ongoing trend. e.g. in summers we find more of lighter colors where as in winters dark colors are preferred. Yes to our advantage there will always be set of colors that all designers/ merchandiser will keep in the collection in all seasons, which are called as "core options". So while displaying in winters, we can showcase the darker colors to left and gradually moving to lighter ones to the right & vice- versa for summers. (ref to the img below)

Go with the flow

Did you know that setting up a wall filled with merchandise is like preparing a meal...one doesn't get to deserts right in the beginning. So please follow the steps & go with the flow :)

Always identify & display your key SKU (stock keeping unit) first. Best way to showcase them is on front arms. Front hanging display helps customers get the complete look of the product without putting any efforts. Hence it is advisable to layer the merchandise and create good ensemble. That will not only help display look good but will also promote the cross selling form the single location. (quite effective)

Don't just stop here, now that you have put your best on display, use the side hanging for displaying the other key SKUs. Its advisable to use multiple product categories, preferably ensemble on side hang displays. Again a good place for customers to interact & engage with the product.

Once done, fill up the space with stacks of color coordinated merchandise. Populate the wall with merchandise using the color technique.

Finally use thematic props suggest in the brand's manual to create visual breaks. Also this will help build up connect between merchandise and the story that the collection wants to showcase. Some brands use visual, other use props. Choice is of the brands & individuals.

I hope this will provide some help & assistance to my friends & co visual merchandisers. The above are based on my learnings, so there may be difference in opinions & viewpoints hence Please feel free to share your observations & feedbacks.

Happy Visual Merchandising :)