The Latest Trends in Merchandising Design To Know For Your Business

Despite the ongoing threat of Covid, retail sales saw record highs in 2021. There was over $570 billion worth of sales in the month of May.

While online business continues to thrive, retail stores have been forced to adapt to the changing times.

One area experiencing major changes is merchandising design. Customers now demand an experience that’s different and more gratifying than simply adding items to a digital cart.

How has the merchandising landscape changed and what impact does it have on customers and sales? Read on to find out.

Increasing Customer Engagement

Face-to-face interaction is retail’s biggest advantage over online stores. Many retail stores have already embraced the change and pivoted to a more friendly approach to sales.

Customers still enjoy the experience of shopping. Providing a positive experience goes a long way toward making sales. Many shoppers rely on the expertise of an informed sales associate when making important buying decisions.

Shopping in-store also allows a customer to interact with a product before they purchase it. Online sales will never be able to offer that.

Additionally, retail stores can become social hubs where customers can meet a celebrity or take in an event. Your customers will remember this sort of personable interaction and be more likely to shop at your store.

Embracing Social Media

Social media continues to influence modern life in a myriad of ways, but it was more of an afterthought for retail stores in the past. The world of retail had yet to fully embrace social media and struggled to get potential customers to interact with it.

Today, snarky corporate social media accounts can quickly go viral. This gets your store in the public’s eye with minimal investment on your end.

Stores have also found ways to inspire their customers to share their experiences in engaging ways. Some stores even feature displays tailor-made for social media sharing.

No matter how you decide to use this new wave of media, one thing is for sure: the days of asking customers to “check-in” on outdated apps are long gone.

Minimalism as a Design Aesthetic

More and more stores look to embrace the principles of minimalistic merchandising. It makes the modern store appear sleek and well-kept while focusing the customer’s attention on the products being offered.

A smartly laid-out store is more likely to lure customers inside and customers that can easily see products are more likely to make a purchase.

Minimalism also walks hand-in-hand with sustainability. Because minimalistic stores seek to eliminate unnecessary design elements, they consume fewer resources.

Mannequins Taking on New Life

The first fashion mannequins date back to the mid-1800s and have seen regular use in retail stores since. Today’s merchandisers are finding ways to use mannequins to breathe life into their in-store shopping experience.

Some stores use mannequins to give the illusion of a bustling store. It draws customers into the shop and creates an interesting environment. The customers soon realize what they thought were people are simply dolls.

Advances in 3-D printing capabilities have also given rise to customized mannequins. Now, stores can simply print a mannequin in whatever pose they desire. Mannequins convey emotion and that emotion informs customers’ buying decisions. The ability to craft a perfectly-posed mannequin is an opportunity that can’t be overlooked.

Shoes on the Wall

For decades, shoe stores displayed their wares on tables spread throughout their stores. This had the unfortunate effect of reducing floor space and made it difficult for customers to compare styles.

Now, shoes are displayed on shelving along the store’s walls. Removing the tables opened up floor space so customers and store associates can navigate the sales floor easier. It also makes it simple for customers to view products.

Moving Away From Four-way Merchandising

Retail stores of the past embraced the four-way merchandiser as a way to display the maximum amount of products while still maintaining adequate floor space.

However, that practice has fallen out of favor. Viewing products on such a system requires the customer to circle the entire display. Many retailers find that inefficient.

Today, stores are embracing narrow, modular displays and display cases. They take up a similar amount of space as the four-way but can display all products at a glance.

Custom Designs

It’s easier than ever to produce custom-made attire thanks to today’s printing practices. Shoes are a common item for customization, but the trend is expected to spread.

Some stores have even adopted in-shop tailoring so clothes can go right from the rack to the tailor. Other stores use printers or embroidery machines to give customers their ideal look.

It’s clear that standing out and expressing individualism is more important to customers than ever before. Make sure to accentuate your customization services. It’s sure to draw in its fair share of interested individuals.

Merchandising Design Is Changing With the Times

Retail stores are quickly adapting to meet their customer’s needs. The shopping experience has become more social and welcoming and stores are taking to social media to gain exposure. In-store displays are changing to display products more efficiently.

Shops are also moving to become more socially conscious and adopting minimalistic designs in an effort to be less wasteful.

Looking to improve your store’s merchandising design or upgrade your display cases? Reach out to Display Connection and a member of their team will point you toward products that will help modernize your store.