Visual merchandisers tell stories using merchandise, color, lighting and props, not words. Well, maybe a few words now and then.
The New Year’s window in Lancaster, PA, clearly states a resolution for 2012. My Aunt Debbie is an enchanting boutique featuring handcrafted fashion and accessories by independent, mostly-local designers. Inside you will find a collection of curious clothing and innovative accessories, with an emphasis on creative re-use. In other words— a story.
Sometimes the display story is a vignette compiled by gathering merchandise with a single theme and using props to fill the page. At trade shows and showrooms, vendors group their products into collections. This Mud Pie display in the OneCoast showroom at Dallas Market Center, has a sealife theme with neutral colored merchandise. The visual team chose a lovely ocean blue for the anchor wall and added some seashells for effect.
More showroom displays:
Pallets started to show up at the summer shows last year, following an interior decor trend. At the NYIGF this week, several booths used pallets in their merchandising and this one stands out due to the juxtaposition of the handmade porcelain and stoneware from dbO Home against the rough wood of the pallets.
We love the Tokyo Bay area inside The Portico Collection showroom at the Dallas show earlier this month. View more Portico displays, click here. Several of their lines have amazing displays right now!
Back in New York, Sarah Oliver Handbags has a lovely booth at the New York International Gift Fair. By choosing a single accent color and some superb graphics, the temporary booth allows the merchandise to tell the story without shouting. The subtly color-blocked back wall anchors the space and the hinged side walls add dimension to the booth.
Bonus Inspiration Shots: Stay display inspired!
Megan Geckler uses flagging tape to create huge one-of-a-kind installations by hand. Thanks to Design Milk for turning us on to her. I’ll let her pictures speak for themselves and if they inspire a store window, we sure hope you will share a picture with the Retail Details blog. We’ll be happy to share it with our little world (a mere 4 million visitors last year).
Display. Sell. Repeat.
~Becky
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You can also submit photos of store displays for blog consideration at that email address.
Becky Tyre is a visual merchandising consultant and the owner of the Retail Details blog, also on facebook. Becky is the Trends Editor at GIFT SHOP Magazine.
The red and white striped bowls fit nicely into this Christmas display, but can also be used for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, nautical displays and whimsical displays with a cartoon or circus theme. In the US, they would be brought out for 4th of July, Memorial Day and various other patriotic celebrations. Can you think of other versatile display staples?
Holiday gift idea windows for…
…girls (above) and for boys (below). Both pictures are from 
My favorite part of this display are the music books used as place mats, but if you look closely you will see a number of unique display element examples. 
Many of the display ideas that I share on the blog and on the 
Are you enjoying the trend of White Christmas displays? This fabulous window display at CHANEL celebrates with a doilies motif. The dolls dressed in traditional CHANEL suits are a nice touch.
Another monochromatic display. This one uses various textures to create interest and adds drama to an all-white display.
Silver fits well with a white display theme that has a polar theme including some cute bears and a fabulous igloo prop.
A vintage Christmas at 
Last, but not least are SWIRLS – one of our very FAVORITE THINGS at Retail Details (note the SwirlMarketing.com web address 
Becky has always been fond of swirls and continues to live up to her nickname as Swirl Girl!
The floor of the store window at 
Father’s Day is not in June in Sweden, but we stumbled upon this menswear display window. The frames were filled with scrunched white fabric for a very interesting effect.
At the entrance to each store, a pedestal was placed with signage promoting the dandy theme. Atop each pedestal was a glass dome and each store created a vignette display featuring items from their store.
