Merchandising Tips For Your Small Fashion Boutique
Are you just starting your own small business? Focusing on ladies fashions and accessories? If so, I have some tips to help merchandise your inventory to provide the maximum curb appeal and in-store usability.
Many small clothing retailers make several mistakes. It's as though they forgot how to look at a store through the eyes of a shopper. Instead, they only think about promoting product after product; in the end, they crowd the shopper's mind and prevent them from gaining clarity necessary for decision-making. When people get overwhelmed, they flee.
Start by looking at your storefront windows. Is there all sorts of vibrant signage or text on the windows? If so, consider scaling down considerably. Psychologically speaking, that kind of thing crowded around the window is a deterrent because shoppers assume it's as crowded on the inside as it is on the outside.
Know your target and cater to them, not to them plus three other targets. Again, focus is the key. Select one outfit to feature in the window, but dress it up by adding contextual elements so the shopper can "see" how it would look in real life. Add things like carpet, wall coverings, a chair, etc. Anything that says "your body here" helps the shopper visualize the products on their own body.
Within the store, containing clutter is key. Shoe racks can help accomplish two things. One, you can do a better job of showing off the merchandise and encourage try-ons if they're easily accessible. Two, boxes are boring and take up a lot of room. Toss the boxes in favor of shoe racks, then when a pair is purchased think of a clever way to wrap and package the new pair that doesn't involve a bulky box.
Many small clothing retailers make several mistakes. It's as though they forgot how to look at a store through the eyes of a shopper. Instead, they only think about promoting product after product; in the end, they crowd the shopper's mind and prevent them from gaining clarity necessary for decision-making. When people get overwhelmed, they flee.
Start by looking at your storefront windows. Is there all sorts of vibrant signage or text on the windows? If so, consider scaling down considerably. Psychologically speaking, that kind of thing crowded around the window is a deterrent because shoppers assume it's as crowded on the inside as it is on the outside.
Know your target and cater to them, not to them plus three other targets. Again, focus is the key. Select one outfit to feature in the window, but dress it up by adding contextual elements so the shopper can "see" how it would look in real life. Add things like carpet, wall coverings, a chair, etc. Anything that says "your body here" helps the shopper visualize the products on their own body.
Within the store, containing clutter is key. Shoe racks can help accomplish two things. One, you can do a better job of showing off the merchandise and encourage try-ons if they're easily accessible. Two, boxes are boring and take up a lot of room. Toss the boxes in favor of shoe racks, then when a pair is purchased think of a clever way to wrap and package the new pair that doesn't involve a bulky box.
