After a year wrought with challenges, the retail industry is making a rebound. CNBC reports the positive news, “The National Retail Federation is forecasting retail sales in the U.S. could grow anywhere between 6.5% and 8.2% this year, with the economy accelerating at its fastest clip in two decades.”
Thanks to the nationwide Covid-19 vaccine rollout and another round of stimulus checks, Americans might be ready to get back in-store. But is your retail space ready?
The pandemic has altered customer expectations for retailers. In addition to a robust online presence, customers want a brick-and-mortar space that makes the shopping experience easy and safe.
Here’s how you can use retail displays to make your customers feel more comfortable.
Maximize outdoor retail space.
As you approach visual marketing, work from the outside in. Since some retailers still have capacity restrictions in place, it’s wise to use them outside of your retail space to connect with customers before entering the store.
- Engage customers with outdoor banners and signage on windows and doors.
- Use kiosks or pop-up displays to connect with customers as they wait in line (think a product or lifestyle video).
- In the lineup area, add a customer service desk or station to manage product questions, expedite returns, etc.
Use visual engagement to create a safe, healthy shopping environment.
Clear, concise signage can help make the shopping experience easier to navigate for customers. From directional prompts to instructions for self-checkout, in-store signage gives people the information they need to boost their sense of security and satisfaction. Here’s more:
- Consider utilizing QR codes on menus or signs to provide product or promotional information—no touch required.
- Adding queue lines and distanced displays makes customers feel more at ease.
- Including popular products as point-of-purchase options helps customers get what they want while reducing time spent in the store.
Create bold displays that make it easy for shoppers to find their product—so they can grab and go.
While more shoppers are returning to physical stores, most people want to get in and out quickly. Use free-standing and end-cap displays to call attention to your product. Whether a seasonal theme or a designer-inspired item, build your display to appeal to what your audience is seeking most right now.
This display that Shamrock designed and produced for Jose Cuervo did just that. The bold graphics attract attention, and the tower display format makes it easy to find the desired beverage products quickly.
Build pop-up displays to entice and engage customers who are stopping in to pick up online orders.
Take the convenience of in-store pickup and blend it with visual merchandising. Use the opportunity to present pop-up galleries of your seasonal flavors, most popular items, or specialty product bundles. This is your chance to up-sell, or at least, to make an in-store brand connection with online shoppers.
Nothing beats personal, attentive customer service. But by incorporating some of these retail display ideas into your retail space, you can make the shopping experience more enjoyable for your customers.
If you’re interested in brainstorming some ideas for your retail product displays, connect with me on LinkedIn.
John Banks
