Displaying clothes in a retail store can be more challenging than you think. First, there are many elements to consider, from how much space you have, to how much stock you need to showcase. Second, clothing stores are in abundance, so you’ll want to make your retail displays stand out in a highly competitive market.
Effective merchandising in a retail environment requires a bit of forward and creative thinking. Consider your store entry point, aisle space, ceiling height, and dressing room, then review these existing spaces while exploring our key tips on how to display clothes in a shop.
1. Use your wall space
Shelves, hanging pegs, wall-mounted rails, and wall racks are fantastic ways to utilise wall space, especially if your store is a smaller boutique. The key is to not clutter or cram every inch of wall space, as this can be overwhelming for the customer, and in turn, makes it particularly difficult to shop.
You also need to think about how high you place your products. Customers need to have easy access and be able to freely reach products they wish to look at. Placing products out of reach puts a boundary in place, which can, unfortunately, result in a sale loss. If you’ve got high ceilings, you can still use the space for decor or hanging visual elements.
When it comes to utilising your wall space, slatwall panels and accessories are perfect for all store sizes. Slatwall panels slot in and out is easy, which means you can customise your display layout and keep on top of interchanging inventory with ease. A gridwall display is a great affordable choice and a highly effective way to display products. Gridwall displays can be used to hang a wide variety of products, from clothing to accessories and more.
2. Add depth and texture with a variety of merchandising options
Floor racks, tables, stacking baskets, cubes and plinths all offer a different approach to displaying clothes, so it’s a good idea to mix up your store with a combination of each. You must, however, keep things clean, approachable, and easy to navigate. Tables with neatly folded jumpers, or layed out jeans can work really well, while stacking baskets add texture filled with scarfs, or other accessories.
Remember, the front of your store, and the first entry display needs to be dynamic to capture the attention of passers-by. If you’d like some inspiration, be sure to explore our Sector Hub and discover ‘5 Clever Ways to Display Merchandise in a Gift Shop’.
3. Double up on best selling products
If you know a certain shirt or pair of jeans sell really well, don’t be afraid to place them in various spots around your store. You could, for example, display your best selling jeans amongst a collection of blouses, to create a ‘jeans and a nice top’ collection edit. This is a fabulous way to introduce cross-selling into your store. Additionally, if you know they convert, make sure there is plenty of stock and variety of styles available.
A top tip is to be suggestive with clothing choices, when hanging stock on clothes rails, displaying a clothing arrangement on the front clothes hanger can be a highly effective way to build a customer basket. Placing a blazer or well-suited jacket over a top or shirt gives your customer instant inspiration on how to style.
4. Showcase outfits on mannequins and through displays
Putting an outfit together may come naturally to you, but for many, it’s a dreaded task. Mannequins are a great way to display outfits and give customers a holistic view of how the clothing will look on. Be sure to place them in appropriate places around the store, as to not block aisle space, or distract attention away from the clothing on display.
Be sure to place mannequins in your store window. Target your customers with on-trend ensembles, engaging backdrops, and interesting visual elements. Be sure to update these outfits regularly in order to increase footfall.
If you’d like advice on ‘How to Create an Eye-Catching Window Display’ explore our Sector Hub for more in-depth tips and tricks.
5. Avoid overfilling shelves and fixtures
Overloading clothes rails with clothes never looks good. Each garment needs to ooze luxury appeal, even when customers are grabbing themselves a bargain. Customers must be able to flick through the rail to find their size effortlessly. This means there must be plenty of extra space on the rail for movement.
If you’ve got thicker garments to display, such as knitted jumpers or dresses, opt for slim, lightweight metal clothes hangers to minimise bulk.
6. Utilise changing rooms
Selling doesn’t have to stop off the shop floor; changing rooms are great places to inspire. After all, you know the consumer has already taken an interest in your brand and has the potential to purchase.
Be sure also to have a member of staff available in your changing room area, ready to swap sizes, introduce matching garments, and suggest matching accessories. Ensuring your staff are walking and talking to the brand too, customer consultants wearing your seasonal favourites is a fantastic way to catch shoppers eyes. Depending on your dressing room size, consider introducing a mannequin on entry.
7. Take good care of your products
Customers wouldn’t wear creased or damaged clothes, so they certainly wouldn’t want to buy them. Ensure your clothes are regularly steamed. Professional clothes steamers from the likes of Fridja and Singer, available here at Displaysense, are sure to deliver an impressive level of performance, that is sure to outside any everyday iron.
As steamers provide fast and efficient steaming and care, having one handy in your dressing rooms will ensure clothes return to the sales floor in pristine condition, after a customer has tried something for fit.
Be sure to complete regular walk rounds to inspect clothing. Clothing needs to be dressed on appropriate clothes hanger, and clearly priced and tagged, in order to aid the customers shopping experience.
When hanging jeans, or trousers, on a trouser hanger, you need to clip the sides of the jeans from the top, so that the material hangs inwards. You don’t want access material flapping at the sides of the hanger.
Suit jackets, and coats, need a strong and sturdy wooden wishbone hanger to hold the weight and maintain shape. Satin clothes hangers make a luxury choice for small boutiques, or for displaying lingerie and bridal garments.
8. Stick to a theme
Regardless of the style of clothes you stock, you'll want the display and merchandising to blend perfectly and be in keeping with your brand. If your clothing store stocks gothic clothing, for example, you may want to consider on-trend heavy duty rails, and black clothes hangers. For streetwear, you may want to style out an industrial theme, with silver clothing rails, metal clothes hangers and lots of stacking baskets.
Here at Displaysense, we stock a multitude of colours and styles, so you’re sure to find everything you need for your desired theme. As specialists in the field, and leading suppliers of visual display products, clothes rails, display cabinets and more, we are well placed to assist and advise you in the best way we can. For more inspiration for your business, explore our Sector hub for buying guides and up-to-date information on a range of products.
