One of the city’s busiest shopping streets is interrupted by a fascinating window display. Before you know it, you are standing in line at the checkout with a bag full of various items and no idea how you got there.
Most people have probably had the opposite experience: they go into a store to buy something. But the experience is so uninteresting that they leave it dissatisfied and empty-handed.
VM is usually the critical element in this situation. Although the choice of a store may seem arbitrary, the selection always depends on how the aesthetics of a store affect us and our decisions.
When people buy something, 95% of the time, they do it without thinking about it. A fantastic approach to VM takes into account both customer behavior and reactions to visual cues. Here are some VM hacks, along with the research behind each one.
What’s VM?
Many retailers wonder, “What is VM? How can it impact my business?”
VM is the practice of presenting items in a way that appeals to the customer’s sense of aesthetics, drawing attention to the positive attributes of a product and enticing people to enter the store. In other words, visual merchandising in Las Vegas can optimize a store’s potential and increase sales.
VM is a distinctive approach that increases revenue and differentiates a brand from the competition. A visual merchandising firm in Las Vegas utilizes these strategies because they play an essential role in the store design process.
Why VM Matters
“Why is VM important, and what purpose does it serve?” is another asked topic.’
A well-known example can be people’s favorite retail store and why they adore it.
- Items are well displayed
- There is a wide variety of goods available
- It’s easy to follow the design.
- In-store, it doesn’t seem crowded at all
- People are greeted by the shop’s owner from the street
- It is an unforgettable and exhilarating experience
The fact that you feel comfortable in the store is mainly due to the design or layout. Shopping has changed because of the in-store experience. It’s no longer just about shopping in a store but also about discovering new products and building brand loyalty.
By adapting their in-store strategy using VM, retailers can increase brand equity, attract new and returning customers, and increase sales. With VM, retailers can instantly influence their customers and leave a lasting impression on everyone who enters their store.
Although the display at the store’s front entrance initially attracts customers, this is only a tiny part of the overall store design. Once a customer enters the shop, the layout, presentations, and ambiance should entice them to purchase and return in the future.
Telling A Story
Humans are very sensory creatures. According to studies, decoration has a significant impact on message recall. Therefore, knowing what message you want to convey through a store’s design is essential.
Ultimately, it all boils down to presenting stories visually. Consumers are more interested in finding businesses that share their own beliefs. To help customers decide if a brand is an extension of their personality, retailers need to create a solid design identity in their store.
Using Suitable Materials
Price, value, and quality are all components of the VM concept. Wood shelving, for example, represents a “real” or “organic” feel but can also mean a higher price. In contrast to hard edges, curved, open shelving and displays are more appealing.
Customers’ other senses are just as important as their eyes: the scents retailers use in the shop, and the music they play add significantly to the atmosphere and are a subtle approach to influencing buyers.
Considering The Customer’s Journey
Customer journey considerations are critical. A company’s design layout should be easy to understand and follow a logical path. For example, customers shouldn’t have to ask an employee where something is because the signage is unclear. To attract customers, place newly arrived products near the store entrance.
According to a 2021 survey, shelf management is among the most critical aspects of VM when it comes to encouraging customers to buy. Similar products should be grouped, such as batteries and workout gear. Place the most essential and popular products near the end of an aisle where customers can notice them quickly.
It’s important to take advantage of the $5,400 a typical U.S. consumer spends annually on impulse purchases. Placing low-cost products near the checkout will encourage impulse buying. Customers are already committed to a purchase and are more likely to add another item to their cart, which increases sales.
Higher sales and an optimal shopping experience can be achieved through a partnership between the retailer and a VM company. By partnering with a professional service offering retail visual merchandising in Las Vegas, malls and shopping centers can increase foot traffic and sales through an enhanced and customer-centric design.
“Groups Of 3” Rule
Three is indeed the magic number. The conscious mind can only process 40 bits per second, but our brains can process 11 million bits per second. So as far as VM is concerned, the rule is: less is more.
Mannequins, items on shelves, and so forth are easier for customers to process when arranged in groups of three. It is dangerous to offer customers additional options, which tends to confuse them.
FOMO & Impulse Buying
Brands and retailers capitalize on another deeply ingrained human trait: the fear of missing out (known as FOMO). Marketing slogans like “Act now!” and “Hurry up!?” are used to get customers to act. When the human mind hears the phrase “while supplies last,” it tends to make hasty decisions. The human brain releases dopamine to avoid missing out (FOMO).
Organic Content
Millennial consumers, who now make up the majority of shoppers, have changed the way brands communicate with their customers. This generation is exposed to traditional advertising in their everyday lives, but they’re inundated with a new brand message via the internet.
Authentic encounters help them break through the information overload that comes with instant access to product reviews, pricing, and more. Customers find organic content and brand stories just as engaging in stores as they do on social media and websites, and they are just as effective.
When a product is presented interactively, it’s just as effective. Customers enthusiastically test products on display as they are drawn to the exhibits.
Executing The Concept Flawlessly
Big players spend countless hours meticulously crafting every aspect of their approach when it comes to VM. It won’t have the desired effect if retailers do not stick to the principle. Every company and brand out there has its own personality. An accredited visual merchandising group in Las Vegas can help you figure out that personality and communicate it effectively to increase customer satisfaction and sales.