Using Mannequins To Display Store Apparel

Most retail apparel store owners will agree that mannequins are the single most effective selling tool at their disposal. Sure, you can hang garments on racks all day long, but it doesn't offer the same level of realism as a mannequin does. Customers are able to naturally see how a garment or outfit looks when worn by viewing it dressed on a mannequin. For this reason, it's a recommended accessory that every apparel owner should have. To receive the most benefit from it, however, you'll need to follow some basic tips when setting them up.

Choosing The Right Mannequins

First and foremost, you'll need to decide which types of mannequins will work best in your store. If you've never purchased them before, you might be surprised to see just how many different types there are. Some mannequins are designed with full bodies to model entire outfits, while others are basic torsos without legs or heads. Ask yourself what kind of clothes and garments you intend on displaying and then choose the mannequins that are best suited for the job. Remember, though, summer is right around the corner, so you may want to choose mannequins with the ability to display summer-wear clothing.

Mannequins also come in both male and female styles. If your shop strictly sells either men or women's clothing, you'll want to choose the appropriate gender for your mannequins. Trust me, you don't want to try and dress up your female mannequins in men's clothing or vise versa.

Going With The Season

If you are having trouble trying to come up with new ways to style your store mannequins, think about the current seasons and try to incorporate it into the design. As most people already know, the official 2013 spring season is now upon us, so try to use spring-themed apparel and outfits on your store mannequins. This generally means brighter, bolder colors with short-sleeve shirts and a mix of both pants and shorts. As the summer approaches, you can slowly begin to swap these items out for more "beachy" clothes.

Another little tip that's helpful is to check out what your competitors are doing. You shouldn't steal or copy their exact mannequin designs, but you can draw some inspiration by looking at them. See what colors and elements they are using. Sometimes all it takes is a little inspiration to spark a new mannequin idea.

How To Safely Protect Your Store Apparel

If you are in the retail apparel and fashion business, you'll need to use extra caution around your products. Even minor amounts of dust, humidity and dirt in the air can essentially destroy delicate garments, costing you thousands of dollars in "shrink." This can be a depressing sight for anyone, especially if you are working to your get business up and running. So, how are you supposed to keep your inventory protected from such disastrous situations? Keep reading and we'll reveal some simple ways to protect your store clothes and apparel.

Garment Bags

 

One of the most effective methods used to protect store apparel are garment bags. Instead of leaving your inventory on rolling racks in the back of the store, you can safely tuck them away in a garment bag. As long as you choose a durable, well-made bag, it should offer more than enough protection against the damaging effects of dust and humidity. In addition, most garment bags can be used to store multiple articles of clothing. Just a couple bags can easily store a dozen or more outfits, so you don't have to worry about purchasing a bag for each article of clothing in your store.

To get the most use and benefit out of your garment bags, you'll need to know what to look for when shopping for them. First and foremost, consider the material used in its construction. Some low-quality bags are made using cheap materials that may not offer full protection against the outside elements. When in doubt, stick with nylon, vinyl or plastic blends to ensure your garments are safely protected against dust and humidity.

Plastic Garment Bag Rolls

Another option available to keep your store apparel and garments protected is to wrap them up in plastic bag rolls. It's generally a cheaper option than purchasing high-quality garment vinyl or nylon garment bags but they aren't as durable. If you are looking for a quick, easy way to protect your store's apparel and garments, pick up a couple bag rolls to use.

These are just a few of the ways store owners can protect their apparel and garments from damage. Although you can't see, the air around us (and especially in retail stores) is filled with dust and dirt. Even small amounts of dust can wreck havoc on garments made with delicate fabrics. Unless you want to take the risk of ruining your product, it's recommended that you use some of the previously mentioned methods to protect it.

The Importance of In-Store Advertising

Many retail business owners underestimate the importance of in-store advertising. They are stuck in the mentality that marketing is no longer necessary once a customer walks in the door. The truth, however, is that in-store advertising and marketing is essential to every retail business. If you store depends on revenue generated from customer purchases, then you need to encourage people to buy your products, and there's no better way to do so than with in-store advertising.

Generally speaking, visitors walking into a retail store fall into one of two different categories - people who are in search of a specific product, and people who are simply there to browse. If a person enters your retail store dead-set on buying a specific item or product, then you really don't need to do anything extra to convert them into a paying a customer. On the other hand, people entering your store simply with the purpose of browsing around to see what you offer may need some encouragement to make a purchase. This is a case where in-store advertising is necessary to increase your store's sales and overall revenue.

Types of In-Store Advertising

One of the most commonly used forms of in-store advertising are gondola shelving signs. As the name suggests, these are signs which are attached directly to a gondola. People walking down the isles of your store will notice these signs, and hopefully it will encourage them to make a sale. The key thing to remember when using gondola signs is to place them next to their respective product. I know this sounds like common sense, but you would be surprised at how many owners place their signs far away from the advertised product.

Another form of in-store advertising includes free-standing signs. You can purchase metal frames that are designed to stand freely without the use of gondolas or other fixtures. Just attach a sign directly in the center of it, and then you can stand the advert up anywhere you desire. Some owners prefer to use free-standing signs around the checkout lines to naturally draw the attention of customers as they are waiting to pay.

No matter what form of in-store advertising you intend on using, it's important to frequently change it out with new signs and products. Studies have shown that customers grow immune to seeing the same sign or advert over and over; therefore, it will lose its effectiveness. Allow your signs to run for a week or so and then swap them out for new ones.

Tips For Effectively Using Slatwall Panels In a Store

Slatwall panels offer an attractive and convenient way to display items in a store without relying solely on the use of traditional shelves. From afar, it looks like basic hardwood wall paneling, but up close you will notice horizontal grooves built-in which allow for the use of special hooks. If you are interested in using slatwall panels in your store or place of business, keep reading and we'll reveal some essential tips for getting the most benefit out of them.

Determine How Many Panels You Need

First and foremost, you should determine exactly how many panels are necessary to meet the goals for your store. If you haven't done so already, take a few minutes to walk through your store and pinpoint exactly where you wish to use slatwall panels. Next, use a measuring tape to get the exact dimensions necessary. Don't just get the length of the area, but also take of the height, as this is necessary to choose the right slatwall panels.

Slatwall paneling comes in many different sizes, ranging in height, width and thickness. It's important to choose one in the appropriate size so it will fit your store's dimensions. Trust me, you don't want to end up with a pallet full of slatwall paneling just to find out that it's not sized to fit your store appropriately.

Choosing a Finish/Color

In addition to the size, you'll also want to pay close attention to a slatwall panel's finish/coloring. While their primary benefit is to allow for a greater amount of display space, slatwall panels also add a decorative element to the atmosphere when used correctly. The trick to creating an attractive and well-decorated atmosphere in your store is to use slatwall panels in a color or tone that compliments the current decor. Think about what theme and color palette your store currently possesses and then choose your slatwall paneling in a complimenting color. For instance, if your store was built using authentic oak hardwood flooring and/or walls, then you search for a similar finish in your slatwall panels.

Change It Up Often

Because slatwall panels use hooks to display items, it's extremely to change the products on display. You should use this to your advantage by changing up the products on your store's panels often. There's nothing wrong with leaving special promotion and sale items up for a week or two, but studies have shown slatwall paneling to be more effective when items are frequently rotated.