All posts by displaysense

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Customer-led promotions drive high street store sales

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Research carried out by leading retail display supplier Displaysense has discovered that retailers that offer their customers a choice when it comes to future promotions will see significantly higher sales revenue.

Displaysense, the leading provider of retail displays and shop fittings, trialled a promotional voting system across three stores and compared the results to three similar shops that selected their offers without consulting shoppers, with the outcome revealing that empowering customers appears to pay off.

The results of the study demonstrated that providing customers with a choice resulted in significantly higher sales, with the stores using the promotional voting system experiencing up to a 25 per cent increase in visitors during the sales period, compared to the other shops.

Steve Whittle, Displaysense marketing director, comments: “We believe that if customers have a choice in the promotions coming up, they are more likely to return to the store to buy.

“We provided a selection of stores with suggestion boxes and promotional displays to promote the activity and customers simply had to drop a small card with their details on it into the box with the promotion they preferred.”

By making use of promotional displays that can be easily altered – such as a snap frame for posters that can simply be changed or a chalkboard where different offers can be put up regularly – stores will find it is straightforward to operate a choice-based system, Mr Whittle notes.

He explains that involving the customer in selecting the promotion is an important way to engage with them – and encourage them to return to the store.

“By choosing the promotion, the customer already feels that they are getting a more personalised discount, making them more likely to come back to the store.

“This also benefits the retailer, as they will have their customers’ contact details on hand, enabling them to contact them directly to promote the offer, increase sales in the process and allows for ongoing communication to promote future offers,” Mr Whittle states.

At a time when high street stores are facing increasing competition from their online counterparts, it is more important than ever to embrace new techniques to encourage shoppers to visit their outlets, he adds.

However, Mr Whittle points out that such promotions can be run in conjunction with online offers, giving retailers even more opportunities to reach their customer base and provide a truly personalised service.

Ends

Displaysense has been working in the shop displays sector since 1978 when it started out in Hertfordshire. Since then, the organisation has grown substantially and now manufactures its extensive range of products in 25 countries around the world.

Orders can be shipped anywhere in the world and the company constantly seeks to update and improve its offerings. Following a philosophy of choice, value and service, Displaysense’s customers can rest assured that they will receive the best products from the leading shop display and fittings retailer.

If you would like any further information about the products and services offered by Displaysense, please contact us.

Email: sales@displaysense.co.uk

Tel (UK): 0845 200 8139
Tel (Int):  +44 (0)1279 460 460

Address:
Displaysense
Rye Street
Bishop’s Stortford
Hertfordshire
CM23 2HG
United Kingdom

Advertising, Retail

Keeping shop window displays fresh will be key for retailers in 2011

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Research carried out by leading shop displays supplier Displaysense has found that consumers are turned off by shop window displays that don’t change.

According to the survey by the organisation, a high percentage of people will not return to a shop if the window display looks the same as on their previous visit – which could mean that many retailers are missing out on repeat sales by failing to build up a regular customer base.

Displaysense also spoke to retailers and discovered that many admit to only changing their window displays four times each year – a habit that may need to change if they are to remain competitive in 2011.

Steve Whittle, marketing director at the company, comments: “Many retailers are still only changing their window displays with the four seasons and have failed to understand the customer demand for fresh products all year round.

“In a recent survey, we found that retailers that alter their shop window displays more than ten times per year have up to a 75 per cent higher rate of return customers than those that stick to the seasonal pattern of four changes each year.”

And with the VAT increase taking effect from January 4th, retailers will need to ensure customers do not turn to the internet to counter any high street price increases if they are to have a successful year.

But changing window displays on a regular basis does not need to be a costly exercise – with Mr Whittle pointing out that even small alterations can have an impact and entice customers back into stores.

“We are not suggesting that retailers should have a new display designed every week – even a few small changes to the display can make all the difference,” Mr Whittle explains.

“A fashion retailer, for example, could simply change the style of clothes, the type of shelves or use a different mannequin on a regular basis. These simple and low-cost actions could improve the appeal to passing customers who get to see more choice and are therefore more likely to enter the store,” he concludes.

Other retailers can also benefit from applying the same logic to their product displays. Swapping the items on show – or even repositioning the display stands to make different products stand out – on a regular basis could be all that’s needed to entice shoppers off the street and into the store.

The Displaysense survey found that, on average, customers spend three seconds looking at a shop window before making a decision. If the products on display are the same then no new interest can be gained and the customer is unlikely to enter the store.

With so many challenges facing high street retailers at present, shop owners cannot afford to be complacent when it comes to bringing in more customers and as Displaysense’s research has highlighted, there are numerous simple and inexpensive steps stores can take to boost their sales in 2011.
Ends

Displaysense has been working in the shop displays sector since 1978 when it started out in Hertfordshire. Since then, the organisation has grown substantially and now manufactures its extensive range of products in 25 countries around the world.

Orders can be shipped anywhere in the world and the company constantly seeks to update and improve its offerings. Following a philosophy of choice, value and service, Displaysense’s customers can rest assured that they will receive the best products from the leading shop display and fittings retailer.

If you would like any further information about the products and services offered by Displaysense, please contact us.

Email: sales@displaysense.co.uk

Tel (UK): 0845 200 8139
Tel (Int):  +44 (0)1279 460 460

Address:
Displaysense
Rye Street
Bishop’s Stortford
Hertfordshire
CM23 2HG
United Kingdom

Retail, Shopping

Retailers seek the best way to combat the VAT rise

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Displaysense – the leading shop displays and store fittings supplier – is urging retailers not to fixate on the VAT rise and focus on maximising customer sales.

Retailers will have to make a difficult choice when the increase takes effect; either putting their prices up at a risk of losing price-sensitive customers or offsetting the rise by offering discounts, which will result in lower profit margins.

But Displaysense believes that introducing proven techniques such as in-queue merchandising systems could help retailers increase customer spend following the VAT rise and set themselves up for a successful 2011.

The organisation wants to encourage retailers to view queues as an additional revenue stream – not just a way of managing crowds.

As such, Displaysense has introduced a range of in-queue merchandising systems that can work alongside crowd barriers to help stores make the most out of every customer that walks through their doors.

Steve Whittle, marketing director at the company, comments: “The VAT rise will pose a challenge to most retailers and having spoken to our own customers, we know that the rise on top of increasing bills and delivery costs means that 2011 is shaping up to be a tough year.

“That is why we have introduced our range of merchandising products to help retailers increase spend of queuing customers with cross-sale items, promotional goods and impulse products. After all, it makes sense to target customers who are already buying something as they are already prepared to spend money.”

Any retailers that are concerned about the additional costs of new shop displays should not worry.

Mr Whittle adds: “With the potential to increase average customer spend by up to 400 per cent, these systems have a very fast return on investment and I am confident that any retailer that uses them will see a significant increase in sales.”

And boosting revenue is not the only advantage to implementing an in-queue merchandising system because they can create even more retail space by encouraging customers to line up in an orderly fashion.

They also take up little more space than traditional rope barriers, Mr Whittle explains, so retailers that already make use of such crowd control barriers will notice the difference in their sales figures, rather than in the layout of the store.

In-queue merchandising systems from Displaysense can include shelves, racks and baskets, enabling shops to find the ideal way to display their products and encourage consumers to make that extra purchase.

Displaysense wants to see all its retail customers get the new year off to a good start and aims to help stores maximise revenue at this challenging time for the British high street.

Ends

Displaysense has been working in the shop displays sector since 1978 when it started out in Hertfordshire. Since then, the organisation has grown substantially and now manufactures its extensive range of products in 25 countries around the world.

Orders can be shipped anywhere in the world and the company constantly seeks to update and improve its offerings. Following a philosophy of choice, value and service, Displaysense’s customers can rest assured that they will receive the best products from the leading shop display and fittings retailer.

If you would like any further information about the products and services offered by Displaysense, please contact us.

Email: sales@displaysense.co.uk

Tel (UK): 0845 200 8139
Tel (Int):  +44 (0)1279 460 460

Address:
Displaysense
Rye Street
Bishop’s Stortford
Hertfordshire
CM23 2HG
United Kingdom

Advertising, Business, Marketing

Lock up your goods to stop thieves this winter

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Displaysense – the leading retail display and shop fittings supplier – is advising its retail customers to keep valuable goods under lock and key after reports of increasing numbers of thefts and a surge in purchases of lockable display cabinets.

After noticing that more customers were buying lockable display cabinets, Displaysense approached many of the large retailers it deals with to find out whether they have experienced theft from their stores recently – with worrying results.

An alarmingly high proportion of retailers reported a dramatic increase in thefts, particularly of high value items, such as jewelry and electrical goods, which are presumably easy to sell-on at this time of year with people on the lookout for discounted Christmas presents.

Displaysense is urging all retailers to be vigilant over the coming few weeks – and take precautions, such as by purchasing lockable display stands.

Steve Whittle, marketing director, comments: “After seeing numerous news reports each week where shops and warehouses are being targeted by thieves, our advice is to display high value items in lockable cabinets, encourage retail staff to be extra vigilant and ramp up security where they can.

“With the recession still showing a strain on society, thieves are grabbing the opportunity in this festive period to sell stolen goods to people looking for a bargain and retailers want to avoid being easy pickings for these shoplifters.”

Retailers who are concerned that introducing lockable cabinets may detract from the appearance of their store need not worry, as Displaysense offers a wide range of products designed with both security and aesthetics in mind.

Meanwhile, anyone who is worried that customers will be put off by being unable to touch the products on display will find that their fears are unfounded.

“Lockable display cabinets come in a huge choice of styles, shapes and features including lighting which enhances the products’ appeal. Any retailer who has concerns over the accessibility of products should see this as an opportunity for staff to step in and close the sale,” Mr Whittle explains.

In some circumstances, keeping items in a secure display could even enhance their appeal, as it can convey the value and quality of the goods on offer to consumers who enter the store.

The secure cabinets available through the company have been created to enhance the appeal of the products stored inside, as well as to reduce the risk of theft. Cabinets are not the only option for a retailer to secure their products, with other solutions such as lockable display counters and display cases providing that extra security, whilst presenting retailers’ products effectively.

Christmas is the busiest sales period of the year for the majority of British retailers and especially in the current climate, which is reflecting the present weather in being bitter and harsh, it is vital that they do not lose revenue as a result of theft.

Displaysense is committed to ensuring that all its retail customers are able to enjoy this lucrative time of year without having to worry about the security of their products.

Ends

Displaysense has been working in the shop displays sector since 1978 when it started out in Hertfordshire. Since then, the organisation has grown substantially and now manufactures its extensive range of products in 25 countries around the world.

Orders can be shipped anywhere in the world and the company constantly seeks to update and improve its offerings. Following a philosophy of choice, value and service, Displaysense’s customers can rest assured that they will receive the best products from the leading shop display and fittings retailer.

If you would like any further information about the products and services offered by Displaysense, please contact us.

Email: sales@displaysense.co.uk

Tel (UK): 0845 200 8139
Tel (Int):  +44 (0)1279 460 460

Apparel & Fashion, Business, Retail, Shopping

Displaysense set to ‘liven’ up shop windows

Retailers up and down the UK who want to add something extra to their shop displays can now book a live mannequin to appear in their shop window to really make their products stand out from the crowd.

Displaysense – the leading shop display and fittings retailer – has decided to introduce live mannequins to its extensive product range following a recent episode of the BBC’s Apprentice, where contestants used themselves as live mannequins to attract shoppers in Manchester’s Trafford Centre.

Contestants – who are competing to become Lord Alan Sugar’s next apprentice – were hoping to boost sales by drawing more customers into the shops and as the show proved, a pretty girl in an eye-catching dress really did attract the crowds.

Thanks to Displaysense, now you’ll be able to use the same powers of persuasion to encourage people to visit your store.

From mid-January 2011, the real life mannequins will be available to order via the Displaysense website for a cost of approximately £199+VAT per day.

Although this will not be the first time that live mannequins have been used, it will be the first time that retailers can go online to book their slot and pay a fixed price for a live mannequin.

Steve Whittle, marketing director at Displaysense, commented: “Real people in real windows can work for the right store.

“For example, a shop window showing a kitchen display could have the model demonstrating a range of products. Or a fashion retailer might want the ‘live mannequins’ to show a range of the latest fashion clothing at various times in the day.”

Enquiries about live mannequins flooded in following the airing of this particular episode of the Apprentice and the company has decided to step up to meet its customers’ needs.

Since its inception in 1978, Displaysense has provided attractive and quality options for shop displays and shop fittings.

Offering live mannequins will just be the next step in the organisation’s evolution, which has seen it grow from its ‘shed-based’ operation in Hertfordshire into an international retailer.

Mr Whittle stated: “Our business is all about helping our retail customers sell more and if that means offering real mannequins then that is what we will do.”

However, he added that this won’t spell the end for the company’s traditional line of products.

“Real life mannequins may be a great addition to shop window display campaigns, but we will of course continue to offer a fantastic range of fibreglass mannequins which are far less costly, last much longer than a day and don’t need food or drink!”

And with live mannequins to complement the fibreglass options, Britain’s high streets could become a lot more interesting for shoppers in future.

Displaysense certainly thinks so – and the company is even in talks with a large high street retailer to set up a window catwalk that combines live models with their fibreglass counterparts to breathe a bit more life into shop displays.

In the age of online shopping bricks and mortar outlets are fighting to boost their business – only time will tell whether using such methods will bring Britain’s high streets back to life.

Ends

Displaysense has been working in the shop displays sector since 1978 when it started out in Hertfordshire. Since then, the organisation has grown substantially and now manufactures its extensive range of products in 25 countries around the world.

Orders can be shipped anywhere in the world and the company constantly seeks to update and improve its offerings. Following a philosophy of choice, value and service, Displaysense’s customers can rest assured that they will receive the best products from the leading shop display and fittings retailer.

If you would like any further information about the products and services offered by Displaysense, please contact us.

Email: sales@displaysense.co.uk

Tel (UK): 0845 200 8139
Tel (Int):  +44 (0)1279 460 460

Address:
Displaysense
Rye Street
Bishop’s Stortford
Hertfordshire
CM23 2HG
United Kingdom