{"id":2573,"date":"2019-10-31T00:47:10","date_gmt":"2019-10-30T19:17:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.intelligencenode.com\/blog\/?p=2573"},"modified":"2025-04-10T15:42:52","modified_gmt":"2025-04-10T10:12:52","slug":"visual-merchandising-matters-ever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intelligencenode.com\/blog\/visual-merchandising-matters-ever\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Visual Merchandising Matters More Than Ever"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>BOOM! That\u2019s how immediate the impact of visual merchandising is on retail shoppers \u2013 and why compelling visuals are a strategic asset in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.intelligencenode.com\/blog\/understanding-omnichannel-retail-detail\/\">omnichannel retail<\/a>. Visual merchandising presents a retailer\u2019s physical store or eCommerce website in an enticing way to attract customers. Yet the objective isn\u2019t just to look alluring \u2013 it\u2019s to fuel retail purchases.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s look at how timeless design principles impact shopper psychology and drive traffic and sales both in stores and online.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Visuals get \u2018all up in your face.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>In our age of digital and social media, visuals matter because:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The average person\u2019s attention span is 8 seconds or less \u2013 which, remarkably, is shorter than the attention span of a goldfish<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a065% of individuals say they\u2019re visual learners<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Visuals increase message retention by 42%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Today, visual merchandising blends artistry and data science, helping retailers get their message across faster and with greater impact.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Visual merchandising in the age of omnichannel<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Now that shoppers around the world expect omnichannel service let\u2019s examine how the following five classic elements of visual merchandising apply as much to old-school brick and mortar stores as they do to today\u2019s trendiest eCommerce websites.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>1. Architecture: The framework for retail sales<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Regardless of the sales channel, a well-designed architecture makes the store inviting, so shoppers feel welcome and excited to explore the store or website. (And spend money.) A physical store\u2019s architecture includes visual elements like the floor layout, the range of colors of the d\u00e9cor, and the backdrop, including three-dimensional window displays, shelf displays, and mannequins.<\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;Online display banners\u00a0act as sumptuous magazine advertorials, encouraging shoppers to search, scroll, browse and buy&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>E-commerce architecture also requires a thoughtful layout and clear signage to guide shoppers throughout the website. Retailers use a complementary color scheme to please the eye and cast models who fit their brand persona. Nowadays online product cards are on par with editorials, using captivating color schemes and product descriptions that harmoniously align with a singular brand language to drive sales.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>2. Narrative: The store becomes the story<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Visual merchandising intrigues customers with brand storytelling to transform a shop into an exciting destination that inspires and entices shoppers. The merchandiser decides on the theme \u2013 the look and feel \u2013 of a store, then evokes a desired effect through the visual displays. An effective in-store narrative sparks customers\u2019 imagination with emotional impact, brand personality, and store ambiance. The focal point may include a hero \u2013 such as a high-impact collection of bold new items or an elaborate holiday display that nudges shoppers toward a purchase.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2586\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2586\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2586 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intelligencenode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Screen-Shot-2017-08-18-at-1.22.21-PM.jpg\" alt=\"Tomdixon products in display\" width=\"1024\" height=\"517\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2586\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Narratives distinguish brands:<\/strong> The narrative Tom Dixon reflects the designer&#8217;s commitment to creating modern, innovative, and stylish pieces.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Online storytelling through visual merchandising also involves a logical narrative flow that guides customers through the online shopping journey so it\u2019s compelling, effortless, and smooth (and shoppers don\u2019t wander in different directions on the website. Regardless of channel, the narrative must reflect the consistent brand identity and customer-centric care from when shoppers enter the store or site to when they complete a purchase.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>3. Visibility: What\u2019s seen is sold<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>In-store and online, visibility encourages retailers to feature items that align with a unique narrative and authentic brand image, while helping shoppers easily and quickly find the items they desire. The principle of visibility prioritizes the products retailers push the most, whether the items are high margin or exclusive enough to drive loyalty, word of mouth, and social sharing. Online, the eCommerce information architecture and sitemap flow help retailers prominently showcase the products that are most likely to sell to prevent the items from being buried deep in the eCommerce site. Data analytics help merchandisers know exactly which products are most popular and trending, influencing the items they make most visible, including which color palettes, fabrics, and cuts to make most visible to wow shoppers all the way to the checkout page.<\/p>\n<p><!-- end HubSpot Call-to-Action Code --><\/p>\n<h3><strong>4. White space: Give shoppers room to breathe<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Few customers enjoy navigating through a store crammed with excessive merchandise. By contrast, white space can help a shopper relax and enjoy the store atmosphere. Visual merchandising through white space encourages merchandisers to emphasize products that relate to their overarching theme by using innocuous brand elements. Visual Merchandisers exercise restraint to ensure uncluttered beauty, so the retail narrative shines through clearly.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2585\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2585\" style=\"width: 1410px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2585 size-full\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Screen-Shot-2017-08-18-at-1.21.39-PM-1.png\" alt=\"Tinker watches display\" width=\"1410\" height=\"609\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2585\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>White space creates uncluttered beauty:<\/strong> The use of white space reflects millennials&#8217; desire for minimalism and emphasizes the quality of each product.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Using sufficient negative space is essential online, making the shopping experience easy on the eyes, chaos-free, and pleasant by reflecting understated beauty and calm confidence.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>5. Balance: Bringing the elements together in harmony<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Successful visual merchandising in stores and online address consumers\u2019 needs (such as quality, variety and sensory appeal, as well as the trust that comes from online product reviews) and inspire their wants (to feel attractive, confident and hopeful).<\/p>\n<p>Both in-store and online, merchandisers must give attention to merchandise and communication cues. They need to showcase sufficient product variety while remaining consistent with the core brand theme, finding a happy medium to neither overwhelm nor disengage in-store shoppers.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Timeless tips boost omnichannel sales.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>In the age of speed, the window dressing of visual merchandising is neither fluffy nor trivial \u2013 it is a critical business asset that drives retail conversions in stores and on eCommerce websites. Given shoppers\u2019 extremely short attention span, merchandising professionals express the retailer\u2019s intended message with thoughtful, consistent visual cues across retail touchpoints. Applying classic visual merchandising principles can help retailers improve their omnichannel excellence, and increase in-store and eCommerce sales.<\/p>\n<p>For more tips and tricks\u00a0in crucial areas of merchandising- Assortment, Price, Inventory &amp; Presence, Check out our new eBook, \u201c<b><a href=\"https:\/\/info.intelligencenode.com\/merchandising-hacks-future-proof-retail-business\">10 Merchandising Hacks to Future-Proof Your Retail Business<\/a>.<\/b>\u201d<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"hs-cta-wrapper-5c933bc8-20e0-4fa1-84fe-54087a02dcff\" class=\"hs-cta-wrapper\"><span id=\"hs-cta-5c933bc8-20e0-4fa1-84fe-54087a02dcff\" class=\"hs-cta-node hs-cta-5c933bc8-20e0-4fa1-84fe-54087a02dcff\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cta-redirect.hubspot.com\/cta\/redirect\/857779\/5c933bc8-20e0-4fa1-84fe-54087a02dcff\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"hs-cta-img-5c933bc8-20e0-4fa1-84fe-54087a02dcff\" class=\"hs-cta-img aligncenter\" style=\"border-width: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/857779\/5c933bc8-20e0-4fa1-84fe-54087a02dcff.png\" alt=\"New Call-to-action\" \/><\/a><\/span><script charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/js.hscta.net\/cta\/current.js\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> hbspt.cta.load(857779, '5c933bc8-20e0-4fa1-84fe-54087a02dcff', {}); <\/script><\/span><\/p>\n[i] Reed, Gabrielle. Why Visual Merchandising Matter for Engaging Millennial Audiences. Ethos3.com. December 30, 2016.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BOOM! That\u2019s how immediate the impact of visual merchandising is on retail shoppers \u2013 and why compelling visuals are a strategic asset in omnichannel retail. Visual merchandising presents a retailer\u2019s&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2578,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[985,986,984,1008,1009,965,626,904,987],"class_list":["post-2573","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-merchandising","tag-apparel-merchandising","tag-merchandise-buyer","tag-merchandise-display","tag-merchandise-planner","tag-merchandising-manager","tag-retail-merchandising","tag-retail-sales","tag-visual-merchandising","tag-visual-merchandising-tips"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Why Visual Merchandising Matters More Than Ever<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Visual merchandising is essential for any retailer, big or small. 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