Visual merchandising is a domain which has a profound influence on retail. Since humans are visualizers, we „buy with our eyes” before we actually finalize our shopping. For this reason window display arrangement remains crucial. The change of seasons is a perfect opportunity to facelift the shopfront.
The merchandiser’s work rhythm, at times called „the silent seller”, is dictated by the calendar. It takes into account events such as holidays, special occasions and foremost, a change of seasons. A refreshed shopfront gives a clear signal that it is a place worth visiting and getting familiar with its offer. Spring gives a perfect opportunity to prepare an attractive window display with the help of visual merchandising dos and don’ts and this doesn’t have to be an expensive undertaking.
Certainly, the calendrical holidays are not the only factor that matters while designing a window display. Equally substantial is that the exposition and shop’s interior has to reflect the brand. Hence, we can expect a different display from minimalistic brands such as COS, the luxurious couture house Versace, known for its opulent designs and brands that remain street style legends among youth such as dr. Martens, Fred Perry or Levi’s.
This, however, does not necessarily mean that the cost of a good display goes up with the price of clothes that it is designed to advertise. In the age of the internet, we can search for inspirations on our own without any trouble, using social media, business sites or even Pinterest. Following that, we give you some ideas which you can adapt in your own spring-themed display arrangement.
- Flower wall
Spring is the time when nature comes to life, so it is a good idea to incorporate flowers to create a flower wall as the background for your display. The plants can be fresh, but we can also check options such as paper or textile flowers.
(Anthropologie window display – the brand known for its creative display arrangements. Photo: anthropologie.com)
- Umbrellas
Spring weather tends to be moody. Hence, an umbrella often serves as a necessary accessory on a walk. We can evoke this association and use an umbrella as prop, arranging a scene of a walk in the park.
(Gina and May window display. Photo: ginaandmay.com)
- Flower bouquets
In a small window-shop bouquets or even single flowers can work wonders. Place them in planters or bottles made of transparent glass to evoke positive feelings in passers-by.
(A spring-themed display arrangement by the Australian brand David Jones. Photo: courtesy of David Jones)
- Greenery: moss and lichen
A reindeer moss is a type of moss that has become highly popular in interior designing. However, the selection of available plants is much greater. Used as decorative panels or a spray of plants, they can bedeck not only the shop’s display window. The can also serve effectively in the shop’s interior, pleasing the eye with greenery.
(The green arrangement by cosmetic brand Glossier. Photo: courtesy of Glossier)
- Paper decorations
Here we can effectively incorporate elements cut out from paper or folded according to the origami art. Paper is an inexpensive medium with which we can achieve a truly magical result.
(Paper flowers incorporated by Chopard. Photo: zenmerchandiser.com)
- Swing
Finally, after a long winter we can go to gardens and playgrounds and a swing will certainly put in mind of outdoor fun. Moreover, a swing can easily serve as a shelf for the exposition of accessories.
(Eickoff shopfront in Dusseldorf. Photo source: Retail Design Blog)
- Water cans and other garden supplies
Spring is also a time of work in the garden. Shovels, wheelbarrows, pots, gloves, rubber boots and water cans – the list of props which can be used for this garden-themed arrangement is long. From this list, a water can is a prop that’s charming and inexpensive. It can be hanged, fixed to a wall, decorated with flowers and plants or made a part of a more elaborated display. A daffodil in a water can have been effectively used in many display arrangements!
(Example of using a water can in a window arrangement. Photo source: Retail Design Blog)
- Branch
Another simple and inexpensive prop to use in a shop window is a branch or a limb. They will do excellent as suspended clothes racks.
(Gap Kids shopfront in Los Angeles. Source: pinterest.com/Just_Kellee)
Our proposals for spring-themed window displays of course do not exhaust the subject. Nevertheless, we hope that they are a good introduction to the art of product exposition and will inspire you to create an interesting window display arrangement!
Lastly, we present our selection of spring-theme shopfronts of popular brands, including our clients:
- Spring-summer window-shop of the Levi’s shop in London (photo: line.17qq.com)
- Window display by Gant, where paper flowers were used (photo: courtesy of Gant)
- Spring arrangement by Zara at Bond Street in London is a different take on minimalism and playing with one prop (photo: line.17qq.com)
- Spring elements incorporated in the Sinsay window display (photo: Jard Creative)
