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8 Retail Design Tips to Help You Increase Sales

Humans are highly visual. If you want to gain someone’s attention in your retail location, it needs to be attractive and visually stimulating. When running a brick and mortar store, you need to take this into account when designing your retail displays. Let’s discuss some retail design tips you can use to enhance your space and increase sales.

1. Set the Layout Based on Flow of Traffic

You want people to see your latest and greatest products first, right? Monitoring how people move throughout the store, seeing where their eyes move, where they turn, etc. will help you merchandise your store.

In the book Inside the Mind of the Shopper by Herb Sorensen, he notes:

The pattern of movement in the supermarket is counterclockwise in the United States, but PathTracker studies in the UK, Australia, and Japan show a much greater tendency for shoppers to move in a clockwise pattern there… traffic patterns in the store may also be affected by vehicle traffic patterns outside. In these small studies, we noted that in countries with right-hand driving, where traffic circles move in a clockwise pattern, shoppers in stores may be more comfortable moving the same direction.

With this in mind, consider how you want to set up your store. Remember, research just offers insight into store traffic, so you don’t need to base all decisions on it.

2. Avoid Overwhelming the Decompression Zone

The Decompression zone, or better known as the space around your entrance, is where consumers adjust to the new environment. If you place too many products or signs in this area, they tend to be missed. Ensure you allow for a smooth transition so they can take in your retail store and products.

3. Create a Focal Point in all Your Displays

It can be tempting to want to bring attention to everything in your store. After all, you’re displaying it to sell it, right? However, that can be extremely overwhelming for your consumer.  Choose a focal point for your display to draw people in, with other items displayed around that item.

Doing this will have a better chance of catching your consumer’s attention. Once they are drawn in, they will naturally look around at the other items you have displayed.

4. Don’t Overcrowd the Space

Leave enough open space in your store that people don’t feel claustrophobic and are able to appreciate your products. Avoid the issue of consumers bumping into other consumers and merchandise as they move throughout your store.

5. Use Signage Wisely

A well-placed sign will enhance your display and bring more attention to your products. Think about how you want the sign to add value. Are you a sporting goods store? Maybe your sign should give a few tips on the best uses for that product. Are you a beauty retailer? Maybe you should provide signs with two or three potential looks with that eye shadow palette. Signage gives you an opportunity to creatively draw your consumer’s eye to your focal point.

6. Placement is KEY

Place your staple items at the back of your retail location. By persuading consumers to navigate through your retail store on their way to your top merchandise, they will likely pick something up along the way. Just like groceries stores have their milk, eggs, and other household necessities at the back of the store.

7. Checkout in Sight

Your checkout location should be visible from the store entrance for a few reasons. First, you want to be able to greet customers as they walk through your door. Additionally, this position discourages shoplifting and employee theft.

This is also a great place to promote your impulse-buy items for last-minute purchases.

 

As you can see, the way your store is designed and products are displayed plays a huge role in sales. Your consumer has to be in the right mindset to make a purchase, so providing the optimum environment for that is vital! As you perfect your store’s retail design, sales will go up.

Do you have retail design tips or questions? Share with us on LinkedIn!

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The Advantages of Domestic Manufacturing

advantages of domestic manufacturing modern retail solutions

Domestic manufacturing has always been a backbone for the American economy. Due to the current change in economic climate, it may become more vital than ever.

There are a number of benefits that come with domestic manufacturing, including:

  • A higher standard of labor and treatment for the workers.
  • Quicker fulfillment times.
  • Reduced shipping costs.
  • Customer service that is local.

When you choose to manufacture your products with Modern Retail Solutions, you are supporting a Veteran Owned company that makes 100% of products in the United States. We are based out of Garrettsville, Ohio with manufacturing ability and capacity to respond to customer demands within various time constraints. We effectively meet and exceed all customer expectations.

Modern Retail Solutions has been trusted in the retail industry for over 45 years by some of the top retail brands, including:

More of our valued clients can be found here.

Modern Retail Solutions specializes in retail display fixtures. Ribbon trays, floral bush shelves, wall mount vases, organizational craft trays, duct tape trays, & waterfall shelving are some top products.

If you have questions or would like more information about domestic manufacturing with Modern, please visit our contact page and reach out to us. Furthermore, if you have general questions, be sure to check out our FAQ page. Don’t forget to check us out on social on FacebookTwitter, and LinkedIn!

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The Benefits of Slatwall Systems

Retail space, workshops, offices, and other locations where retail displays and fixtures are used, slatwall is a great solution. It’s easy to install and has a number of options for you to customize it to fit your space and brand. Our slatwall is made from a multitude of materials including metal, PVC, and wood.

slatwall h-unit
H-Unit

Systems that Save Retail Space

Display space in a retail setting is limited and crucial. Slatwall is a great option because it allows retail owners to turn the vertical wall space into display and merchandising areas. These systems can be custom designed as well which is why they’re so great for retail spaces who’s displays are constantly changing with trends and marketing campaigns.

black waterproof vase on slatwall
Black Waterproof Vase on Slatwall

Slatwall Optimizes Storage

Since slatwall turns the vertical spaces into areas where items can be stored. It is a great option for workshops, restaurants, garages, etc. You can easily add hooks, shelves, storage bins, and other fixtures to maximize your space.

designer slatwall
Designer Options
PVC slatwall
PVC Options

Make it Your Style

We offer the opportunity to customize the appearance of your system so that it fits the aesthetic of your space. There’s plenty of creative freedom from natural wood, subway tile, designer patters, metal finishes, and more. This gives you the opportunity to really hone in on your retail store’s branding and design.

Request Something Custom!

Modern Retail Solutions offers slatwall fixtures and displays, and many of our products are slatwall friendly. If you’re interested in something we offer, or looking for a custom solution, please feel free to reach out to us.

If you have general questions, be sure to check out our FAQ page. For more information or to contact Modern Retail Solutions, you can visit our about page or follow us on FacebookTwitter, and LinkedIn!

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Custom Corrugated Cardboard Displays

custom cardboard displays

Did you know we offer custom corrugated cardboard displays? We work with our clients to bring to life designs that are affordable, stand out, and are durable. If you’re thinking of going the corrugated cardboard route, here are some advantages and disadvantages to take into account!

custom corrugated cardboard display

Why Corrugated Cardboard is a Great Option

  • Custom corrugated displays are much less expensive than other display alternatives.
  • Corrugated cardboard is recyclable & an eco-friendly option for displays.
  • Corrugated cardboard ships out flat which allows for more displays to fit on a pallet.

Benefits of Working with Modern Retail Solutions

  • We are American Made & Veteran Owned
  • We offer short sample turn around
  • Our products are consistent

cardboard display

Disadvantages to Corrugated Cardboard

  • In order to create custom corrugated cardboard displays, cutting dies are required. Due to the piece being custom, the cost can vary depending on how many pieces the display needs.
  • If you plan on changing the display at any point, not all cutting dies can be adjusted.
  • Wear and tear can cause the displays to last about 1-2 years.

If you have decided that corrugated cardboard is the route you would like to go for your custom displays, here are a few things to think about:

  1. How many products/pieces would you like to fit on the display?
  2. How many displays are you looking to purchase?
    • Note: purchasing in pallet quantities is suggested. the more displays purchased, the cheaper each display will cost.
  3. Are there any size limitations in the stores/locations these displays will be going in?
    • Note: tall displays are easier to tip over and could be a safety issue if people are going to be walking around it.
  4. If you are interested in putting art on the display, work with a designer who can create what you are looking for. We accept art designs in the form of an adobe art file or an EPS file.

If you have further questions or are looking to place a customer cardboard display order, please reach out to us here!

If you have general questions, be sure to check out our FAQ page. For more information or to contact Modern Retail Solutions, you can visit our about page or follow us on FacebookTwitter, and LinkedIn!

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Get to Know Modern Retail Solutions: FAQs and Fast Facts!

FAQs and fast facts

FAQS and fast facts about Modern Retail Solutions, what we do, who we are, and how we can help you. If you don’t see the answer to a question you have, please feel free to reach out to us!

Who are we?

We’re glad you asked! Modern Retail Solutions has been designing, manufacturing and selling quality fixtures and displays within the United States, and internationally, for over 50 years. Our key focus is the design and creation from all stages of the process. This simplifies the process and overall cost savings. If you can think it, we can make it.

We have injection molding, profile extrusion, fabrication, assembly, and warehousing capabilities all under one roof. Looking for plastic, wire, or corrugated cardboard services? Give us a shout! We also offer the option to bring your own tool for the creation of current products. As you can see, flexibility is one of our strong suits.

Our products are 100% made in the USA and we are a Veteran owned company.

Who are some of your clients?

With over 50 years of business in this industry, Modern Retail Solutions is viewed as a leader in the retail segment. Many established companies in the industry rely on us for their custom plastic, wire, and cardboard needs. A few valued clients are Walmart, ACE Hardware, CVS Pharmacy, Family Dollar, The Home Depot.

What are Some of Your Products?

Great question! While we are open to discussing a solution to your needs, you can check out our product catalog here!

Why do These Products Matter?

Our products have your needs and your customers in mind when creating each solution. These products are designed to:

Do you have questions we didn’t answer in this post? Please feel free to reach out to us, we would be happy to help!

Stay up to date by liking us on Facebook!

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6 Tips For Retailers to Help Customers Feel Safe When They Reopen

As retailers across the country get the “Okay” from government officials to start reopening, they are now faced with another obstacle – safety. How can you help customers feel safe when shopping in your store? Customer and worker safety are still high priority as COVID-19 regulations become more relaxed.

Checking with state and local authorities is highly advised for location-specific mandates. However, we’ve put together a few tips to help you keep your staff and community safe, as well as successfully reopen!

ALERT – WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Notifying your customers that you will be reopening is step one into kickstarting foot traffic. Share social media content, send out email blasts, offer in-store discounts. Share information about your sanitization efforts and how you will help customers feel safe when shopping. Post an image of an employee sanitizing, create a graphic with tips for shoppers to keep them safe, etc.

Safety tip: you can limit the number of shoppers in the store at a given time to promote effective social distancing.

STORE SANITIZATION

 

Since your store has most likely been shut for weeks, it will need to be properly cleaned. Cash registers, tables, handles, shelves, etc. Check CDC guidelines. 

REDESIGN YOUR DISPLAYS

Give your customers something to look forward to. This is a great post to educate you on best practices for in-store retail design. It will help you catch your consumer’s eyes, display products better, and increase sales.

For materials, display fixtures, and merchandising solutions, visit our website. We are also offering a 10% discount when you use code SAVE10.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Masks should be a high priority to keep your employees safe. Many states are suggesting shoppers wear them as well. Consider creating signage for your store to encourage shoppers to wear face coverings when shopping at your location. If you’re looking to take protection to the next level, you could provide disposable masks to your shoppers upon entry.

SANITIZATION RULES

Posting the hygiene rules for your employees can serve as a reminder of what needs to be done. For example, employees must wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. They should also use hand sanitizer after touching foreign surfaces or if there are money exchanges. Stores could also consider making hand sanitizer available to their shoppers.

SHIPPING

Continuing to accommodate those who are unable or unwilling to shop in-store is important. Retailers who don’t have e-commerce websites can still offer shipping and delivery services, especially if they are local establishments. Either through FedEx, UPS, or their own delivery service. These services can be free-of-charge or be charged at a set amount.

We hope these tips are helpful as you transition back into your traditional business environment.

Looking for assistance with one of our representatives? Contact them here.

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How to: Prepare for the Coronavirus? Tips for Business Owners

prepare for the coronavirus

This is a difficult time for many businesses as we face this pandemic. The CDC has urged businesses to prepare for the worst as the situation develops, so we have come up with a list of things your company can do to prepare for the coronavirus.

Stay Up to Date on News and Developments

It is important you pay attention to what is going on and make sure the information is credible.

The CDC has a resource coronavirus.gov with information for business owners and US residents. You can find information about symptoms, protecting yourself, preparing your family, as well as information specifically for business owners and employees. They’ve released Corona Virus Guidelines for Businesses which is a resource updated as developments occur.

Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has a fact sheet for businesses and an FAQ resource page.

Identify Risks and Important Functions

Recently, a lot of companies are being forced to employ work from home / remote work systems in an effort to prepare for the coronavirus. Either employ your disaster plan or start identifying key functions that need to be done in order for your business to continue running smoothly.

A few questions to ask yourself

  • What functions must be completed in order to keep the business running?
  • How will you continue work if your employees end up getting sick or need to care for their families?
  • If a critical employee is sick: Can you train someone quickly or outsource work that key employees are not able to complete due to sickness/family care?
  • Will you be affected if products imported are restricted? How will you face this?
  • Do you have a remote communication system set up? Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google hangouts are all great options.

Prepare your business and employees for the worst challenges so you can face them effectively.

Safety in the Workplace

If you are still working in-office, please keep these suggestions in mind:

  • Ask employees to practice proper hygiene: washing hands and cleaning their workspace.
  • Provide extra hand sanitizer, Lysol, and sanitizing wipes throughout the office.
  • Wipe down desks, counters, door handles, and high traffic areas regularly.
  • Re-arrange workspace so that employees are at least 6 feet apart. This reduces the spread of the virus.

Know the Symptoms

All business owners should understand the coronavirus symptoms so you can identify them if you or your employees show them.

  • Mild cold/flu send an employee home.
  • Sanitize sick employees’ workspace.
  • Keep in mind: you may have to increase sick leave and/or pay if you are preventing employees from coming to work due to illness.

Retailer Tips:

Since this is a global pandemic, all businesses are being affected. You have to be prepared for supply chain issues, product shortages, and the potential need for an alternative supplier.

Keep in touch with suppliers to stay aware of problems that might come up. Be prepared for your online orders to increase. Offer the option for customers to order via phone. Adjust your strategy so you can continue the business.

This is a very difficult time for many. At Modern Retail Solutions, we wish everyone health and safety as we endure this pandemic together. If you have questions or are in need of retail displays, please reach out to us and we are happy to help.

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5 Reasons Your Retail Displays are not Working and What to do Instead

prepare for the coronavirus

One of the greatest advantages brick-and-mortar has on eCommerce is the ability to create a physical customer-product interaction. Your in-store retail displays give you the opportunity to draw attention to specific merchandise, build an immersive in-store experience, and show off your creativity. These retail displays play a huge role in driving conversions. Many stores overlook this important selling tool, which is why we are going to dive into 5 reasons your retail displays are not working and what to do instead.

Your Retail Displays are not Working Because They are too Busy and Distracting

Less is more. It is easy to overdo your in-store displays, but oftentimes it causes a cluttered and overwhelming feeling for consumers. This can distract the display from performing its sole purpose – to drive sales.

What to do: Establish a focal point for your display. If there’s a specific product you want a
consumer to see, build your display around it. Narrow your focus. Pick out key attributes to emphasize for consumers, rather than trying to emphasize everything.

Your Retail Displays are not Working Because You are Disregarding Detail

Small details matter! Creating basic standards and guidelines prevents smaller details from going unnoticed during the display design process. Consider creating brand guidelines for your in-store displays so they stay cohesive and all your employees are aware of what is expected. This also ensures things stay consistent if you have multiple store locations.

Some examples of in-store branding guidelines:

Black shelving. Keeping the shelving color consistent prevents it from distracting the consumer’s eye away from products.
Tag symmetry. Make sure all of your tags are hanging in the same direction and found in a similar location on your products.

These are small details that can change the way a consumer views your brand.

Your Retail Displays are not Working Because They are Uninspired

Don’t let your in-store displays get boring. One thing retailers make the mistake of is staying in their stores. Try shopping your competitors and get a fresh look at ways to innovate your retail displays. Take notes on what catches your eye, what you like about certain displays, and even take pictures for inspiration!

Your Retail Displays are not Working Because They do not Vary

Another reason your retail displays are not working? You are failing to update them frequently! Whether a consumer visits your store weekly or not, you want to make sure each visit reveals a new product to discover! To keep displays from going stale, create a schedule of when to update the displays and stick to it.

Your Retail Displays are not Working Because They are One Dimensional

If your in-store display lacks depth and height, it can come off as visually unappealing. Adding height, color, and depth where possible is the goal. For example, say your featured products are the same height. You need to find a way to display them that varies their height to add dimension and draw the eye in different directions.

Putting products on shelves, hanging them, etc. is a great way to add depth. Check out some of our amazing solutions and see if they’re a good fit for your next in-store display.