What are the most effective ways to create an eye-catching merchandising display?

1 Choose a theme

A theme is the central idea or message that you want to convey with your merchandising display. It can be based on a season, a holiday, a trend, a customer need, or a product benefit. A theme helps you create a consistent and coherent visual appeal, as well as a connection with your customers. For example, if you are selling winter clothing, you can use a theme of cozy comfort, snowy adventure, or festive cheer. A theme also helps you select the appropriate colors, props, lighting, and signage for your display.

2 Use the rule of three

The rule of three is a simple but effective technique to create balance, harmony, and contrast in your merchandising display. It means that you group your products in odd numbers, preferably three, and vary their size, shape, and height. This creates a dynamic and eye-catching arrangement that draws customers' attention and encourages them to explore your products. For example, if you are displaying books, you can stack them in different ways, such as horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, and use different heights, such as tall, medium, or short.

3 Create focal points

Focal points are the elements of your merchandising display that grab customers' attention and guide their eyes through your products. They can be anything that stands out from the rest of the display, such as a large image, a bold color, a catchy slogan, a unique prop, or a spotlight. Focal points help you highlight your best-selling or new products, as well as create a hierarchy of importance and interest. For example, if you are displaying jewelry, you can use a mannequin head with a striking necklace as a focal point, and then arrange other pieces around it.

4 Tell a story

A story is a powerful way to engage customers and create an emotional connection with your products. A story can be a narrative, a scenario, a problem-solution, or a testimonial that showcases your products' features, benefits, or values. A story helps you communicate your brand personality, differentiate your products from competitors, and inspire customers to take action. For example, if you are selling travel accessories, you can tell a story of how your products help customers have a hassle-free and memorable trip.

5 Update regularly

Updating your merchandising display regularly is essential to keep your customers interested and loyal. Updating means that you change your theme, products, layout, or props according to the season, the market trends, the customer feedback, or the inventory levels. Updating helps you create a fresh and relevant appeal, as well as a sense of urgency and excitement. For example, if you are selling cosmetics, you can update your display with new colors, products, or tips every month.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?