Instagram-Worthy Displays Fuel Online Branding and Promotion

Every modern retail operation is by now well aware of the power of online presence, and particularly social media presence. You simply can't compete without an optimized website, at a bare minimum, and you really need to gain a halfway decent following on at least two or three social media platforms for the purposes of branding, promotion, outreach, and advertising. Instagram quickly blossomed into a bonafide social phenomenon a decade ago, and its pace hasn't slowed with consumers. Today, Instagram enjoys an estimated 1 billion monthly active users , including 500 million daily active users and 500 million Instagram Stories daily active users. While Facebook is still top dog with more than 2.4 billion monthly active users as of Q3 2019, you can't discount the potential reach of Instagram, especially when you consider the unique opportunities this platform has to offer retail stores. The question, of course, is how can your retail business use Instagram to the greatest advantage? If you want to improve branding and promotion on this predominantly visual platform, one great option is to create Instagram-worthy displays. Here are a few tips to perfect your in-store displays in an Instagram world. Set the Stage \When creating displays for Instagram, you have to take your regular store layout and design to a whole new level. It starts with understanding your brand identity , insomuch as every part of your store is designed to convey a certain image. No matter what kind of display you create, it has to relate back to your brand identity to properly promote your business and create the right impression. Consider brands that have created iconic imaging. All you have to do is walk into a space with shiny, white walls, spare, nude wood counters, and backlit display walls to know you're in an Apple Genius Bar. We all recognize the black-and-white stripe motif of Sephora or the pink palette of Victoria's Secret. This is a great start, but you also need to create displays within your branded environment that grab attention and beg to be photographed. Creating a visual masterpiece with merchandise is cool, but the best way to make it Instagram-worthy is to turn it into an experience that you can promote as a draw. The ultimate goal is to encourage shoppers to take pics and share them, ideally with your brand name or other branded hashtags. POV Arrangements Creating displays for Instagram requires you to put some thought into how they will photograph. You need to arrange directional displays that photograph well from certain vantage points, such as the iconic wall display of Converse shoes arranged to form a skull at a New York store, and make them larger-than-life or otherwise visually compelling to encourage pics and sharing. Don't forget the importance of lighting. There's a big difference between the quality of light issued by the overhead fluorescents in your store and the true, directional lighting needed to make for appealing photography. When you install your in-store displays with your brand identity in mind, create eye-catching installations, and ensure they are properly arranged and lit to create optimal images, you're sure to see a good response on Instagram. In Conclusion Retail displays aren't just for showing off wares in store anymore. When your visual merchandising is on point, you can leverage social platforms, like Instagram, to share your displays and attract more customers.