Getting your store Spring ready
Aug 13, 2021
With the changing of season, a new warmth to the air and the fragrance of fresh blooms wafting in the breeze, there's no better excuse to freshen up your store in order to capitalise on the positivity Spring brings to our feelings of wellbeing and happiness. I've put together a checklist of all of the areas to be considered when it comes to making over your store.
Re-Merchandising Windows
A customer's journey begins before they even enter the store, which is why having up-to-date and eye-catching window displays is so important. This can be the difference between having someone walk through the door, or walk by.
The goal is to have a visual impact that makes your consumers say 'wow!'.
The most important thing here is to know your audience - this will help you build an effective display.
Start with a focal point and build off of it, while incorporating colours and products that are on-trend for spring. You may like to feature wild and overflowing floral arrangements, accompanied by crates and bowls of fresh (or fake!) produce, brightly coloured tablecloth prints, potted plants and outdoor dining pieces. Focus on grabbing attention with colour and pattern.
Product Updates
It's important to make sure you're bringing in new product ranges to keep your store looking fresh and feeling exciting. For example, at Few and Far, we have just received a brand new range of vases ahead of spring. This delivery ties in nicely with the change of season as more people will be looking to display fresh florals in their homes.
Be sure you're introducing products that are relevant to the time of year and your audience. Spring is a beautiful season to spend more time outdoors, so I would feature outdoor dining products, acrylic glassware, lighter and brighter toned fabrics, pots and gardening essentials, as well as fragrant candles and candle holders. Think about the atmosphere you'd like to create and build your product range around this.
Considering Trends
Keeping your store fresh and updated is important to encourage repeat-purchase customers. While we don't necessarily 'follow' trends at Few and Far, we are still very much aware of them and always ensure we are considering the latest colours and how they merchandise in-store.
We tend to see new trends coming into fruition through linens, cushions and accent decor pieces like unique vases and votives.
Visual Merchandising & Your Store Experience
Don't just create a store, create a customer journey by engaging with all the senses through music, scented candles, different textures, emotive colours, and if you're selling food or drink, try having samples available.
Creating levels in your merchandising creates interest. If you've ever walked into one of our stores you'd know that a coffee table isn't just a table, it is a canvas. Create visual delight with stacked books (themed according to your display), votives and candlestands. Consider how can you incorporate the feeling of spring into these displays. Floral displays will always add life to a table display or console.
Is your store 'Instagram worthy'? Try to create spaces people want to post on social media, this is free and easy advertising for you.
Give Old Product New Life
Merchandise accordingly. If you have products that aren't going out the door as quickly as you'd like, or that are now out-of-season bring them up to the front of the store to create demand. Think creatively. How can you incorporate these items into your new displays to give them a 'new life'? For example, a fur throw that would have been a perfect fireside in winter, could now act as a luxurious layer to your picnic display.
On the flip side, think about the things people come into the store actively looking for - position them somewhere that makes customers walk through your other products.
Have you got your team covered?
Spring is a busy time in retail as the days grow longer and people start to emerge from the winter cold. Make sure your shop is staffed appropriately, there's nothing more frustrating for a customer than waiting half an hour for assistance because everyone is occupied.
Educating your staff on new products is another big tip. The best retail teams begin each day with a huddle before the shift starts so they can be prepared for the day and aware of anything new on the floor.
Upcoming Events
Get clued into your community. Are there events, markets or parades on nearby? Chances are you'll get more foot traffic. Is there a way you can capture these new people or offer them something to entice them into your store? How can you merchandise your windows inline with what is happening in your local community?
The Register
I like to think of a customer's experience at the register as the grand finale. They may have had a positive experience elsewhere in the store, but if it ends badly, it turns the whole experience sour.
Keep the register clean, refill bags at the checkout and any leftover merchandise in the register area should be restocked to the correct location on the sales floor.
Think clean, friendly and efficient.
Spring Cleaning
Take this spring as an opportunity to clean out the storeroom. What's hiding in there? Pull everything out, give it all a good wipe over, and put as much stock out as you can. Your goal is to have minimal stock in the storeroom (it's not going to sell in there!).Don't neglect the nooks and crannies your customers will be interacting with, clean all surfaces and items, that includes all testers, door handles, glass display cases and register stands. Don't forget to sweep, mop and/or vacuum the entryway, including all mats.
Check your online presence
Are your hours online correct, do they change during Spring? Is your location right? Is your social media up to date with new products that customers can expect to see in-store?
Perhaps even include some Instagram stories or reels on your new Spring windows and in-store displays! There's nothing like getting your customers excited to come and visit!
Do you ever daydream about starting your own successful business, thriving online store or beautiful retail space but don’t have a single clue where to begin?
Is your excitement and enthusiasm continually squashed by confusion and doubt over what you physically need to do to get started?
Perhaps you feel like you don’t have the right tools in your kit to actually build your dream business?
Let me tell you right now - you are definitely not alone! In fact, when I launched my business back in 2009, I had no idea what I was doing. I am the living proof that you can start a business without any prior knowledge.
But… a little help never goes astray, right?
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