Look UP! (but is it good for sales?)

Seeing a lot of props and decoratives hanging from the ceiling; hands holding merchandising, oversize prize ribbons, flags, upside down flowers - there are just a few. While it does add a creative element to the store environment, if customers look up will they take their eyes off the merchandise and is that a good idea?

We want to hear from you! What are some good tricks to help visual merchandisers enhance sales?

The branding on the wall....

Seen around town ....artistic wall collages meant to express something about the brand's personality.

Old ads and a collection of photos at Levi's show the brand's roots. Art and representations of culture are meant to speak to the "real J. Crew man". And a cleaver mixed wood sculpture is the backdrop for Stella McCartney at Barney's.

Where else have you spotted these feature walls? and what DO they say about the brand?

BON VOYAGE!!

Prada found a cleaver way to promote summer travel....

they filled their windows with luggage. But not just any valise, these are made of paper and they are really cute. When stacked all together they fill the window, which creates a little intrigue (people always want to know what's going on when they can't see in) and the colors make a nice pattern.

So hurry in to buy some clothes to go into the luggage and go on that trip! Or at least that's what is says to me.

Tip Top SIGNS at Topshop!!

"Say my name, say my name" as the song goes....well at Top Shop in NYC it's in lights, its in metal, its in foam. They don't care how you say it - just keep saying it!!

It works - it's bold, youthful, graphic & everywhere you look, there is something to see and they spell it out (so you'll never forget where you're shopping!)

Simply Complex

The seeming simplicity of this window sends a message of casual elegance. But the nuance of the graphics, let's you know there is more than the simple monochromatic pallet lets on.

The clothing has a safari adventure feel, while the graphics seem to indicate a message about a solar eclipse and the textured backdrop ties it all together. While I am not 100% sure if that is what is intended, like a good book, it's left up to the reader or in this case viewer.

There is a total eclipse of the sun this July 22nd - will you be outfitted to view it?

for more information see http://tinyurl.com/6aqcw4

Rocking chair shopping!

Growing up in a small city where people walked, I became enamored of store windows from an early age. First I saw them as pedestrian entertainment -something to enchant and amuse you on your walk. Later I realized it was more like advertising or a visual extension of the store -much the way a diorama enacts a piece of history, a store window can tell a story about a brand that a sales person can't (unless they stand outside the store screaming from the sidewalk)

But, Wednesday, I was in the Philadelphia airport and spotted these rocking chairs along the 'Philadelphia Marketplace' which is a corridor of airport shops. The reference was of an outdoor pedestrian mall (but clearly we were indoors). And it made me think - do rocking chairs make people want to shop? Was this "country porch" environment meant to encourage shopping or sitting? As much as store windows are a way to entice customers into your stores, what does the outside environment say about your store and do you think this one is successful?

Where have YOU seen some in-effective OR effective shopping environments?

Does this hat make my @ss look fat?

Remember as a kid when there would be "crazy hat day" in school? Well I use to love to come up with silly creations to wear but sadly mine were never THIS good. You need a strong shoe to balance out these hats!

Kidding aside, here's another example of windows as art and this was a real show stopper. Obviously there is too much detail to capture in a photo but you get the idea AND it can be recreated and reinterpreted in a million ways. The fun is up to you - now get to work!

Blowing in the wind...

colorful rags helps set the mood of the season - the wash on the line in the summer breeze, the bright colors, the tails of a kite - carefree references to summer fun!

Stripes Are Us

intersecting lines, diagonal stripes and plaids have been seen around town highlighting summer windows. Used as a bold contrast to a cool palette and as a complement to seasonal madras, the graphic trend helps frame these windows. As the summer heats up, keep an eye out for cool and let us know where you spot it.