For retailers fall comes early.  In fact, odds are that even before you’ve had the chance to break-in your flip flops, many stores already have their summer clearance sales in full swing and “new for fall” merchandise already on display.

Getting ready for fall sales is serious business when you consider that Back to School shopping is the second biggest consumer spending event for retailers behind the winter holidays.  In fact, combined K-12 and college consumer spending in fall 2010 will reach $55.12 billion, according to NRF’s 2010 Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey conducted by BIGresearch.  This Back to School survey says that the average American family will spend $606.40 on clothes, shoes, supplies and electronics this year compared to $548.20 last year.

Retailers, it’s never too early to plan and move in new seasonal merchandise.  Whether you sell clothing, shoes, backpacks, electronics, dorm or school supplies, it’s a good idea to take stock of your store and supplies to make sure you’re set for autumn sales. Here are a few Store Planning tips to help you transition from summer sensational to fall fabulous:

1. Plan your new window display.  One of the main ways to update your window display is to change your colors to evoke the change of seasons.  Hot for fall is “sustainable” trends.  According to color and textile design experts, “urban concrete and formal darks meets mid-tones and bright shades” will be “in” this autumn.  So, think colors like: Flax, Dark Oak, Antique Pewter, Sandstone or Champagne, Venetian Red and Sable for your window and displays.  For inspiration on color choices check out fall 2010/winter 2011 Textile/Fashion Color Trends here.
2. If you have space, consider using mannequins to add visual appeal to your window and in-store displays.  Mannequins come in a  range of shapes, sizes, poses, etc. and can be positioned in different ways. Plus mannequins give you great styling options.  Remember customers like to be able to visualize how merchandise, particularly clothing and accessories will look on them.
3. Determine your focal point.  Keep it simple.  Placing too many items will create confusion.  Pick and choose your key items and place them at eye level.  This goes for your window display as well as your in-store displays.
4. Review your store layout and plan your displays. Your goal is to make it easy for the customer to find what they are looking for and to make sense of your product arrangements.  Keep your groupings logical by grouping similar products together, with complementary products nearby.  Remember to view your displays from different angles as your customer would.  Are your focal points still good from different angles?  Is your retail signage clear and readable?
5. Clean it up! You’ve worked hard to attract customers into your store, you’ll want to make sure you keep them there as long as possible and also wanting to come back for more. Nothing ruins a shopping experience more quickly than an unorganized and untidy store.  Evaluate your store from head to toe.  Dispose of litter, reposition displays that may have shifted to where they don’t belong. Check your shelves and make sure all your merchandise is dust-free and in its proper place.  Re-stock inventory as needed.  Are your signs, tags and labels legible and correct?  Enter your store and take a fresh and critical look.  Does it pass your white glove test? Remember that your customer will form an impression of  your store within the first 10 seconds of entering.

Finally don’t get caught unprepared make sure you have the tools and supplies you need to succeed.  Must have items on your Fall Store Fixtures & Supplies Checklist:

• Price labelers, tagging guns – When ordering supplies for price labelers and tagging guns remember one size does not fit all.  Check your brand and model number to get the right labels for your price guns and needles for your tagging guns.
• Retail sale signage, sign holders – Fresh signage helps call attention to your sales. Consider different sizes and colors.  Look for places you can add signage in your store.  In addition to stationary sign holders there are many versatile and portable sign holder options available today.
• Clothing Hangers and Size Dividers / Markers – When ordering hangers keep in mind the sizes you need.  Hang children’s clothing on child sized hangers.   Size dividers and markers help customers find the sizes they need quickly.
• Countertop Displays/Merchandisers – Your counters are prime selling space! Entice impulse purchases with countertop displays and merchandisers.
• Clothing Racks – If you sell clothing make sure you have the right displays.  For clothing: use multi-tier or 4 way racks to pair tops with bottoms to show how coordinated outfits will look.
• Shelving & Hooks – Use shelving to create interesting new displays.  Add new types of merchandise hooks for your slatwall, gridwall or pegboard displays to display more items in new and interesting ways.  Shelving hooks are one of the most cost-effective supplies you can add to your visual merchandising tool kit.
• Acrylic Displays – Help your merchandise really shine through with acrylic displays.  Not only are these displays durable they are versatile available in a range of sizes and shapes.  There are specialty displays available to show off everything from shoes to school supplies.
• Display Tables – Entice shoppers to stop and look with display tables placed in strategic locations throughout your store.  Create visually appealing displays on your tables that make them irresistible and convenient to shop.
• Shopping bags, tissue paper – Customers remember the finishing touches so make a good lasting impression through your shopping bags and tissue paper.  Don’t get caught short of these essentials. It’s a good idea to order and keep a good supply on hand.

For the widest selection of retail store fixtures and supplies for Back to School visit www.discountshelving.com.

© Copyright 2010 Discount Shelving & Displays, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.

Father’s Day is one of the biggest shopping events focused on men.  According to NRF’s 2010 Father’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, the average person will spend $94.32 honoring Dads this year, up from $90.89 last year.  Total Father’s Day spending is estimated to reach $9.8 billion.

What do people think are on Dads’ wish lists this Father’s Day? According to the report, shiny new gadgets/toys will be one of the biggest hits this year, along with special outings, gift certificates and clothing. The survey found 39.9 % of those celebrating Dad this year will treat him to a special outing such as dinner or brunch, spending $1.9 billion. With 36.7 % planning on spending a total of $1.3 billion on clothes, Dad can expect a few more work shirts and ties to add to his collection as well. Others will shell out $1.2 billion on electronics, $749 million on greeting cards, $578 million on tools or appliances, $550 million on home improvement or gardening tools and $400 million on automotive accessories. Three out of 10 (31.2%) will give Dad a gift card, spending an estimated $1.2 billion on those purchases.

When it comes to where people will buy their gifts, discount stores (34.4%) and department stores (34.1%) will see the most traffic. Specialty stores such as greeting card or gift stores (26.4%), online (20.5%) and specialty clothing stores (7.6%) will also be popular shopper destinations.

Are you ready for Father’s Day sales and beyond? Here are five terrific store supply and retail display items to have in your merchandising tool-kit: 

1. Paper Shopping Bags in masculine colors like navy, chocolate, hunter green and black offer a great way for customers to take home purchases.  Don’t forget to stock up on matching tissue paper!
2. Tie & Belt Racks are available as hooks for your gridwall or slatwall as well as countertop and standing displays.  Don’t forget belt hangers and neck tie riders.
3. CD/DVD Displays show off your titles using countertop CD/DVD displays to spur impulse purchases or use free-standing or island displays if you have larger quantities to sell.
4. Eyewear Displays are ideal for showcasing a single pair or multiple pairs of eyewear.  We have several spinning eyewear displays that can hold anywhere  from 38 to 72 pairs of eyewear at a time.
5. Grid Merchandisers  Do you want to add a display quickly? Grid Merchandisers are easy to assemble and fit perfectly in many areas of your store.  You can even mount grids to your wall or fit merchandisers around columns or beams!  Grids combined with any number of versatile hardware and accessories can be used to set up an effective display of complementary merchandise giving customers plenty of add-on buying opportunities.

Retail sales are looking up for Easter.  According to the NFR’s 2010 Easter Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, the average person celebrating the holiday is expected to spend $118.60, up from $116.59 last year. Total spending is estimated to reach $13.03 billion.

The typical Easter consumer will spend $17.29 on candy and $18.16 on gifts. Other holiday purchases include clothing ($19.03), food ($37.45), flowers ($7.84), decorations ($6.34) and greeting cards ($6.30).  When it comes to buying Easter merchandise, most Americans will shop at discount (64.8%) and department stores (33.2%). People will also head to specialty stores such as florists or gift/greeting-card stores (22.0%), online (13.1%), specialty clothing stores (7.0%) and catalogs (3.7%).

Gear Up for Your Easter Sales

It’s not too late to gear up for those potential sales! Make the right impression with your customers by updating your supply of bags, tissue paper and gift boxes.  Also, don’t forget bright new signage. Freshen up your color palette for these items.  Go from dark to light by choosing pastels or vibrant hues like purple and orange.  For your sales signage try fluorescent colored signs like pink, yellow and green.  There are plenty of fun color options now available.

© 2010 Discount Shelving & Displays.