Making something out of nothing...

These days visual merchandisers are being asked to do 'more with less'. While this is not a trend we like to see (knowing the importance of valuing visual merchandising), we know it is a sign of the times.

So it's a real delight when we see retailers who do it so well and Anthropologie is one of the best at it. Their in store merchandisers are given a general theme and material direction and then they create their own magic within their respective stores. This holiday, each store came up with its own magic using little more than plastic, paper snow cones and white tissue paper.

The results speak for themselves!

Shine On!

Walking along 57th Street in NY, these windows really caught my attention. Silver squares, the Burberry symbol (a variation on their plaid), filled the windows and the reflective nature was incredibly eye catching.

Remember last Spring when they did a variation on this in red and white and black and white?

Which do you prefer?

http://cdwmerchants.blogspot.com/2009/03/be-square.html

Framing a trend

This trend just won't quit! Seen over the past year - visual merchandisers using frames to enhance their visual message and add a 3D element to thier product display.

We get the picture.

Revisting ideas

The 2 photos in blue were spotted this week in the windows of Macy's on 34th Street.

The more colorful photos are from Anthropologie back in June. http://cdwmerchants.blogspot.com/2009/06/blowing-in-wind.html

Whether or not this is an idea revisited, or just a coincidence and part of the collective unconscious makes it even better. It is hard to come up with new ideas day in and day out and many believe "there are no new ideas". Whatever side you end up on - the originator or the copier, we all need inspiration, we all need to share ideas and "imitation is the highest form of flattery".

What ideas have you seen revisited recently and where?

Change is good!

Here is a bold redesign at Kate Spade's 5th Avenue store. In an effort to keep things interesting for their customers this store was completely transformed by turning the entrance way into a colorful boutique within the store. Beginning with stripes painted on the sidewalk and leading up to the door, they carried this idea through the windows, onto the floor and up the walls of this new "parlor" entrance. It really carries the eye into the store and makes one want to venture forward. Once there the colors unfold and tell a story of summer and the adventures that await you. And if you need a rest, the new seating area is intimate while offering a birds eye view of the comings and goings on this busy Manhattan corner.

Where have you seen signs of stores "keeping it fresh"?

Sneak Peek

Have wanted to post for 3 days but had some technical difficulties. Here's a quick snap shot of where we have been - BETTER photos coming soon. We just returned from Global Shop in Las Vegas and used a butterfly theme in our booth display as a way to convey 'renew, re-use, re-purpose'. We also kept our colors to black and white as anyone who has attended a trade show knows it can be visually overwhelming. The black and white theme was a soothing respite from all the visual "noise". We want to show our clients ways they can extend the life of their props and stretch their visual merchandising budgets further with a few smart solutions. Will be back with more photos and details later.

Go Green - repurpose your props!

Here's a way to extend the life of your props, get more bang for your merchandising dollars and keep visuals out of the landfills - reuse and re-purpose props and marketing ideas. This retailer used these shelves and frames in windows at Christmas time and then reused them in January. It had a very different look and is still eye catching to consumers.