DISPLAY&DESIGN BY AMY MEADOWS
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P
erhaps you’ve been stymied by recent supply-chain glitches, or you’ve encountered the annual postholiday, empty-shelves dilemma. Regardless of the reason, low inventory — and the resulting merchandise gaps on fixtures or in displays — are a headache. Should you embrace the empty space? Yes. Should you look for filler to avoid empty spaces? Yes to that as well.
The upper reaches of cabinetry or slatwalls aren’t really intended for full-on merchandising. Instead, large-scale graphics (product as shown, or departmental art/signage) help the customer focus on items at eye level.
Nesting tables provide great flexibility for product display. With high inventory levels, the two tabletops (and floor as needed) provide ample surfaces for merchandise. As it sells through, remove items from the floor, slide the smaller table beneath, and concentrate on the taller unit.
52 Smart Retailer MAY/JUNE 2022
PHOTO COURTESY OF SPRUCE ON MAIN (WWW.SPRUCEONMAIN.COM)
Less Is More
Studies continue to show that when consumers see merchandise in multiples and in crowded fixtures, their reaction is negative. But fewer duplicated items, with more room to breathe, conveys that the merchandise displayed is special, likely to sell through quickly, and should be purchased right away. Crowded shelves and items in quantity scream “discount” to the average consumer. That doesn’t mean, however, that fixtures lightly sprinkled with merchandise are necessarily sales drivers. While many of last year’s shipping and delivery difficulties have been resolved, a steady arrival of goods means a constant need to rotate merchandise throughout your store. An informal survey of visual merchandisers, shop owners, and buyers elicited the following replies:
