The Retail Curator: Showcasing Your Merchandise

[caption id="attachment_1690" align="alignright" width="300"] Glass empty shelves[/caption] Presentation is arguably nine-tenths of your sale. Which merchandise you select and how you choose to organize it can sell an item on its own. In this sense, all the elements of your display are silent members of your sales force. Whether your displays are fixtures, showcases, shelves or virtually anything else, you will want to think strategically about how to present your inventory in a manner that captivates and inspires a sale. Economical Versatility As a retailer, you want affordable equipment that can serve multiple functions. Slatgrids and gridwalls happily oblige the cost-conscious merchant. A slatgrid is generally a freestanding display that allows you to easily attach hooks to its metal grid. A gridwall can be metal or wood, and usually requires installation on a wall. Whichever one you use—and you will likely want both— these are perfect systems for arranging almost anything in your inventory. From an enticing rainbow of colorful scarves to appealing layers of elegant belts to a foot-stomping collection of irresistible socks and hosiery, selective placement on a gridwall and slatgrid can sell like a top member of your sales team. Need something sturdy? These displays offer merchants a vast array of accessories to accommodate practically anything. Strong hooks can lift sporting good items, while notched arms extending perpendicular to the grid can highlight delicate summer blouses or swimsuits in a bouquet of colors. Visualizing the Possibilities Mannequins encourage shoppers to see themselves wearing featured apparel. Whether it's that new orange beach hat or the yellow bikini, anthropomorphic displays speak directly to customers. And figures don't need to sell just clothing. Mannequins are powerful storytellers. Displaying them as part of your window dressing or a floor vignette can capture the imagination of buyers who project themselves on the scene. This can work for everything from tennis rackets to boats, camping equipment to patio furniture. Keep it Moving In contrast to the fixed nature of traditional shelving, gondolas are freestanding structures used to display merchandise. These highly adaptable units are very popular among veteran retailers who find them durable and adaptable. Shelves can easily be moved higher or lower to accommodate larger merchandise. Their durability also allows for the display of heavier items. Since they are portable, they can be effortlessly moved to different parts of your space to create a fresh appearance. Showcase the Possibilities A showcase enables you to design a center stage for merchandise you want to promote. Lighted tower displays can spotlight unique and high-value items. Full vision display cases reveal leading products, and glass cubes help collections strike a pose. Whether it's a special offer or a new item, highlighting your product with a blend of displays can keep your inventory flowing toward a blacker bottom line.