Welcome to “The Display Guru” Blog

Welcome! I’m excited to jump into the blogosphere! My name is Tim Enright, a.k.a. – “The Display Guru” – Your Store Fixtures and Display Expert At Your Service!

I’m the founder and owner of Discount Shelving & Displays based in Deer Park, Long Island, NY. In addition to a 10,000 sq. ft. showroom and warehouse, my business is found online at: www.discountshelving.com.

Since 1995, I’ve been working to help retailers of all sizes by supplying everything related to store fixtures and displays — gondola shelving, gridwall, slatwall, showcases, counters, clothing racks, mannequins, and more. In addition, we supply store accessories like hangers, hooks, price labelers and tagging guns, labels, bags, signs, jewelry displays and gift boxes, and more. It’s a niche business that I truly love.

Among the most gratifying things about my work are the real personal connections I’ve made through the years with my customers. I love talking with store owners and retail managers, learning about their needs and challenges. I also enjoy finding out what drives them to succeed.

Through this blog, I will try to share my insights and expertise that I’ve gleaned through the years. I hope to provide new ideas, tips as well as other useful resources and links that I believe will help stores to succeed.

Finally, I want to build a community where your comments and questions are definitely welcome! Express your opinions, ask questions, share some ideas or late-breaking news that I might have missed.

I look forward to hearing from you! Thanks for stopping by.

Tim

Featured Store Display Product: Slatwall Scanner Hooks

One of the most useful product display hooks for slatwall is the scanner hook, also known as a flip scanner hook. This uniquely designed scanner display hook fits on slatwall or slat board and features an attachable clear plastic plate in which product and price labels, UPC Bar Code labels, QR Code Labels, etc. can be placed. Scanner hooks are ideal for use with POS (Point of Sale) Systems. Slatwall scanner hooks offer simple ways to display merchandise simultaneously while helping in product identification for both customers and inventory control purposes. Slatwall scanner hooks are popular among supermarkets and grocery stores, pharmacies and drug stores, convenience stores, dollar stores, party stores, beauty supply stores, variety stores, pet stores, health food stores, liquor stores, gift shops, automotive and are also used in warehouses. 

Slatwall scanner hooks (flip scanner hooks) are made of metal and come in different finishes such as zinc, black and white epoxy. Scanner hooks for slatwall are available in different lengths including:  4-inches, 6-inches, 8-inches, 10-inches and 12-inches.  The metal hook itself is 3/16-inch diameter wide.  The clear plastic label holder for the scanner hook measures 1 ¼ -inch high by 2-inch wide.  The label holder can be flipped up for easy access to merchandise and for product stocking.

When buying slatwall scanner hooks, choose the right length size to suit the number of products you wish to display.  Also consider your display area when deciding on placement of your slatwall scanner hooks. For example, it’s a good idea to use shorter length scanner hooks if your aisle space is tight between your slatwall and other floor displays.

As the retail industry continues to adopt digital inventory and POS systems, slatwall scanner hooks in particular will continue to be a must-have store display accessory.

Visit www.discountshelving.com or call 1-888-957-4353 for more information on Slatwall Scanner Hooks and other retail fixture and display solutions.

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Marvelous Mother’s Day Store Displays

Retailers know that Mother’s Day spurs one of the top spending sales events of the year.  According to NRF’s 2011 Mother’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, the average person celebrating Mother’s Day this year is expected to spend $140.73 on gifts, up from $126.90 in 2010.

Retailers interested in capturing a portion of the $16.3 billion total expected spending for Mother’s Day this year are working hard to showcase their unique merchandise to catch shopper’s attention.  Many of our boutique and gift store customers in particular get real creative using glass showcases and glass cube displays.  Alternatively,  you can easily put together an effective display for Mother’s Day on the tightest of  budgets.  For example, one of our customers set up a colorful tabletop  jewelry display using a red tablecloth and a mix of different sized jewelry displays in black.  In addition to being bright and eye-catching, it’s extremely cost-effective and  set up was a snap!  How creative did you get with your Mother’s Day displays this year? We’d love to hear from you!

Visit www.discountshelving.com for more product information on jewelry display solutions, glass showcases, and more.

Super Spring Grid Displays

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Spring is finally here! Retailers have been busy recently gearing up for the change of season.  One of our customers sent us photos showing how she tricked out her gridwall for Spring Sales.

It’s no surprise that gridwall panels continue to be a favorite choice for store owners especially those who want to maximize space.  Plus, retailers can get really creative with merchandising by simply using the many accessories available for grid displays.  Choose from wood, glass, acrylic shelving as well as basket, specialty product holders and containers designed for grid panels.  Add hang rails, face-outs and hooks to best present your products to customers. Finish grid displays off with sign holders and signs of varying styles to further attract your customers’ attention.

If you have floor space, consider using standing grid displays.  Add rolling casters to create a portable grid display.  Grid displays are our top seller for use at trade shows or outdoor markets.  For more information about Gridwall and Grid accessories visit: www.discountshelving.com.

Retail Stores Go From Summer Sensational to Fall Fabulous!

For retailers fall comes early.  In fact, odds are that even before you’ve had the chance to break-in your flip flops, many stores already have their summer clearance sales in full swing and “new for fall” merchandise already on display.

Getting ready for fall sales is serious business when you consider that Back to School shopping is the second biggest consumer spending event for retailers behind the winter holidays.  In fact, combined K-12 and college consumer spending in fall 2010 will reach $55.12 billion, according to NRF’s 2010 Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey conducted by BIGresearch.  This Back to School survey says that the average American family will spend $606.40 on clothes, shoes, supplies and electronics this year compared to $548.20 last year.

Retailers, it’s never too early to plan and move in new seasonal merchandise.  Whether you sell clothing, shoes, backpacks, electronics, dorm or school supplies, it’s a good idea to take stock of your store and supplies to make sure you’re set for autumn sales. Here are a few Store Planning tips to help you transition from summer sensational to fall fabulous:

1. Plan your new window display.  One of the main ways to update your window display is to change your colors to evoke the change of seasons.  Hot for fall is “sustainable” trends.  According to color and textile design experts, “urban concrete and formal darks meets mid-tones and bright shades” will be “in” this autumn.  So, think colors like: Flax, Dark Oak, Antique Pewter, Sandstone or Champagne, Venetian Red and Sable for your window and displays.  For inspiration on color choices check out fall 2010/winter 2011 Textile/Fashion Color Trends here.
2. If you have space, consider using mannequins to add visual appeal to your window and in-store displays.  Mannequins come in a  range of shapes, sizes, poses, etc. and can be positioned in different ways. Plus mannequins give you great styling options.  Remember customers like to be able to visualize how merchandise, particularly clothing and accessories will look on them.
3. Determine your focal point.  Keep it simple.  Placing too many items will create confusion.  Pick and choose your key items and place them at eye level.  This goes for your window display as well as your in-store displays.
4. Review your store layout and plan your displays. Your goal is to make it easy for the customer to find what they are looking for and to make sense of your product arrangements.  Keep your groupings logical by grouping similar products together, with complementary products nearby.  Remember to view your displays from different angles as your customer would.  Are your focal points still good from different angles?  Is the signage clear and readable?
5. Clean it up! You’ve worked hard to attract customers into your store, you’ll want to make sure you keep them there as long as possible and also wanting to come back for more. Nothing ruins a shopping experience more quickly than an unorganized and untidy store.  Evaluate your store from head to toe.  Dispose of litter, reposition displays that may have shifted to where they don’t belong. Check your shelves and make sure all your merchandise is dust-free and in its proper place.  Re-stock inventory as needed.  Are your signs, tags and labels legible and correct?  Enter your store and take a fresh and critical look.  Does it pass your white glove test? Remember that your customer will form an impression of  your store within the first 10 seconds of entering.

Finally don’t get caught unprepared make sure you have the tools and supplies you need to succeed.  Must have items on your Fall Store Fixtures & Supplies Checklist:

• Price labelers, tagging guns – When ordering supplies for price labelers and tagging guns remember one size does not fit all.  Check your brand and model number to get the right labels for your price guns and needles for your tagging guns.
• Sale signage, sign holders – Fresh signage helps call attention to your sales. Consider different sizes and colors.  Look for places you can add signage in your store.  In addition to stationary sign holders there are many versatile and portable sign holder options available today.
• Hangers and Size Dividers / Markers – When ordering hangers keep in mind the sizes you need.  Hang children’s clothing on child sized hangers.   Size dividers and markers help customers find the sizes they need quickly.
• Countertop Displays/Merchandisers – Your counters are prime selling space! Entice impulse purchases with countertop displays and merchandisers.
• Clothing Racks – If you sell clothing make sure you have the right displays.  For clothing: use multi-tier or 4 way racks to pair tops with bottoms to show how coordinated outfits will look.
• Shelving & Hooks – Use shelving to create interesting new displays.  Add new types of merchandise hooks for your slatwall, gridwall or pegboard displays to display more items in new and interesting ways.  Shelving hooks are one of the most cost-effective supplies you can add to your visual merchandising tool kit.
• Acrylic Displays – Help your merchandise really shine through with acrylic displays.  Not only are these displays durable they are versatile available in a range of sizes and shapes.  There are specialty displays available to show off everything from shoes to school supplies.
• Display Tables – Entice shoppers to stop and look with display tables placed in strategic locations throughout your store.  Create visually appealing displays on your tables that make them irresistible and convenient to shop.
• Shopping bags, tissue paper – Customers remember the finishing touches so make a good lasting impression through your shopping bags and tissue paper.  Don’t get caught short of these essentials. It’s a good idea to order and keep a good supply on hand.

For the widest selection of retail store fixtures and supplies for Back to School visit www.discountshelving.com.

© Copyright 2010 Discount Shelving & Displays, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.

5 Store Supply & Display Solutions for Father’s Day & Beyond

Father’s Day is one of the biggest shopping events focused on men.  According to NRF’s 2010 Father’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, the average person will spend $94.32 honoring Dads this year, up from $90.89 last year.  Total Father’s Day spending is estimated to reach $9.8 billion.

What do people think are on Dads’ wish lists this Father’s Day? According to the report, shiny new gadgets/toys will be one of the biggest hits this year, along with special outings, gift certificates and clothing. The survey found 39.9 % of those celebrating Dad this year will treat him to a special outing such as dinner or brunch, spending $1.9 billion. With 36.7 % planning on spending a total of $1.3 billion on clothes, Dad can expect a few more work shirts and ties to add to his collection as well. Others will shell out $1.2 billion on electronics, $749 million on greeting cards, $578 million on tools or appliances, $550 million on home improvement or gardening tools and $400 million on automotive accessories. Three out of 10 (31.2%) will give Dad a gift card, spending an estimated $1.2 billion on those purchases.

When it comes to where people will buy their gifts, discount stores (34.4%) and department stores (34.1%) will see the most traffic. Specialty stores such as greeting card or gift stores (26.4%), online (20.5%) and specialty clothing stores (7.6%) will also be popular shopper destinations.

Are you ready for Father’s Day sales and beyond? Here are five terrific store supply and retail display items to have in your merchandising tool-kit: 

1. Paper Shopping Bags in masculine colors like navy, chocolate, hunter green and black offer a great way for customers to take home purchases.  Don’t forget to stock up on matching tissue paper!
2. Tie & Belt Racks are available as hooks for your gridwall or slatwall as well as countertop and standing displays.  Don’t forget belt hangers and neck tie riders.
3. CD/DVD Displays show off your titles using countertop CD/DVD displays to spur impulse purchases or use free-standing or island displays if you have larger quantities to sell.
4. Eyewear Displays are ideal for showcasing a single pair or multiple pairs of eyewear.  We have several spinning eyewear displays that can hold anywhere  from 38 to 72 pairs of eyewear at a time.
5. Grid Merchandisers  Do you want to add a display quickly? Grid Merchandisers are easy to assemble and fit perfectly in many areas of your store.  You can even mount grids to your wall or fit merchandisers around columns or beams!  Grids combined with any number of versatile hardware and accessories can be used to set up an effective display of complementary merchandise giving customers plenty of add-on buying opportunities.
   

Retailers It’s Time to Gear Up for Summer Sales!

Retailers, it’s time to start preparing for your summer sales.  While things are heating up outside, you want to create a cool and inviting atmosphere to lure shoppers inside!  Following are some smart ways to make your store a bright spot for customers this summer:

1.  Window Displays – Your window display is your free advertising space!  It offers you the opportunity to catch  your potential customer’s attention, enticing them to find out more about what is inside your store.

Create a bright and visually interesting window display for summer.  Keep it balanced, simple and colorful.  Use cool bright summer colors.  Note that the hot color trends for summer 2010 include greens, reds, soft pinks, mauve and neutrals, along with bright almost neon accents.  Also, white and indigo blue make great anchor colors for your summer window displays.  Consider fun colorful promotional rope lights or bold reusable window letter clings for added impact.

Choose your focal points for your display by selecting the product(s) that will most appeal to your target audience.  Make sure these products are displayed at eye level.

Be creative! Summer is the perfect time to be whimsical and fun with your displays.  Use summer props, but, don’t overdo it.  You don’t want to create a cluttered display which makes it hard for customers to focus.

2.  Use mannequins to display your summer merchandise.  In addition to being eye-catching, mannequins show your customers what your merchandise will look on them.  You can use your mannequins to display various merchandise at once such as beach wear, hats, sunglasses, footwear, jewelry, watches and more.

Budget-friendly forms can also be used to display summer merchandise such as t-shirts and bathing suits.  In fact, light-weight shell forms can be displayed hanging from ceilings.  Air conditioning or any air movement will actually spin the forms giving it motion and added visual appeal.

3.  Place summer merchandise near the front of the store or in an area that can be easily spotted right away as your customers enter your shop. Keep in mind that some people can be turned off when they can’t spot what they saw in your window display in your store fairly quickly.  Place other desirable summer or sale items in different areas of your store and use signs to point out them in the right direction.

4. Place sale bins with older inventory you want to move in strategic locations near registers to encourage impulse buys.  Portable sale bins are also great for outdoors sidewalk displays. Every bargain hunter loves a sidewalk sale.

5. Place signage, banner and even balloons outdoors to advertise your sales.  Red, white and blue flags, bunting and pennants help to create visual excitement outside of your store.

6.  Hang summer clothing on portable clothing racks and move them outside or place in different strategic locations in your store.

7.  Set the right mood with good lighting, fresh summer scents and music.  Play summer inspired tunes in your store like The Beach Boys or Caribbean themed songs.

8. Finally, be sure to let your customers know about upcoming sales and any new merchandise that you have planned for the summer!  Invite them back with coupons, discounts or other rewards.  At www.DiscountShelving.com we regularly offer promotional discounts and coupons.  To sign-up to receive our latest offers click here.

What are some of your summer merchandising tips? Let us know in the comment section below!

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Attract attention to your store with colorful signs, banners, pennants & bunting.

 

Retailers are always looking for fresh ways to merchandise their stores. Fortunately there are plenty of solutions available that to help attract potential customers.  Among the most popular and inexpensive ways to create visual excitement outside of stores, especially during the summer, are banners, pennants and flags.  Colorful pennant strands and banners are tried and true ways to increase retail foot traffic.  Currently, red, white and blue nylon flags that sport words like Sale, Welcome and Open, patriotic U.S. flag pennants, as well as buntings that fan out, are selling from www.DiscountShelving.com at a fast clip.  Customers launching or “re-launching” their stores are choosing our convenient Grand Opening Kit, which comes complete with a 36” x 36” plastic sign, 100 feet of pennant flags and two 36” fan buntings.  Need more ideas? Check out our sidewalk signs, and other displays solutions at www.DiscountShelving.com.

Help Jewelry Sales Sparkle this Mother’s Day & Beyond

Not even a difficult economy can deter Americans from showing their appreciation for their Moms on Mother’s Day!  Deservedly so!  According to  NRF’s 2010 Mother’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, the average person will spend $126.90 on Mother’s Day gifts, compared to $123.89 last year. Total spending estimated to reach $14.6 billion.

Mother’s Day is one of the biggest holidays of the year with billions to be spent at restaurants and stores. Although most Moms will say “it’s the thought” that counts, “sparkly” gifts are always sure to please.  Gift givers seem to agree on this point as they’re expected to spend $2.5 billion on jewelry for Mom.

Help Your Jewelry Sales Sparkle with the Perfect Displays

Retailers help make your jewelry sales sparkle this Mother’s Day! Select and use the right jewelry displays to showcase your merchandise. Experts agree that well-organized jewelry displays helps to grab potential customers’ attention and helps them to better focus on your selections. For the greatest impact, use displays that are specifically designed for each item (i.e. necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, watches, etc.). Whether you sell fine or everyday jewelry, there are many budget-friendly display solutions to choose from. Some of the most popular jewelry displays include:

• Easel-back Stands & Display Pads – allow you to showcase several (necklaces, earrings, bracelets, or body jewelry) pieces of jewelry at once. 

• Earring Cards – use these plastic display cards to attach pairs of earrings and display the cards on a hook or on a countertop earring displayer.   
• Earring Trees – use to display a single pair of earrings.  
• Jewelry racks, hooks and hangers – work well if you stock quantities of low-priced necklaces.  Use with fold over necklace/bracelet cards for easier hanging and pricing.
• Neck Forms or Busts – often padded or made from polystyrene, gives buyers a good idea of how a necklace will look on a person. 

• Revolving Displays – fit on countertops, these square, rectangular, triangle and even hexagonal displayers hold earring cards and revolve or rotate. 

• Ring Display –  allow you to feature a single ring or up to five rings separately in a row.
• Risers – come in different colors and materials including acrylic and wood. Risers allow you to display jewelry items at varying heights for a striking display.

 

• Showcase Collections – offer everything you need to set up the perfect jewelry showcase.  Includes multiple jewelry display options such as neck busts, ring displays, bracelet t-bars, earring stands, etc.
• T-bars – ideal for showcasing bracelets and necklaces. These displays can sit on countertops or inside display case.
• Trays and cases – elegant looking jewelry trays and cases are often used to display rings. There are a variety of inserts for these displays including flat pad and slotted ring.

• Watch Display – designed specifically to hold a watch upright, these displays fit attractively in a case or a countertop showcase.

It’s not too late to order jewelry displays for Mother’s Day and beyond.  May and June are great months for jewelry purchases with special occasions such as First Communions, Confirmations, Proms and Graduations, all in full-swing.

Announcing New Majestic Series Boutique-Style Clothing Racks

DEER PARK, NY,  Discount Shelving & Displays (www.discountshelving.com), a leading retail store fixtures supplier, announces availability of the new Majestic Series clothing rack line.  These contemporary garment racks feature attractive dark grey steel finish capped with filigree flourishes. 

“Boutique owners interested in a fresh, contemporary and more feminine look in merchandise displays will appreciate the Majestic Series line,” says Tim Enright, president of Discount Shelving & Displays, Inc. “In addition to being contemporary, attractive and functional, this line is affordable.” At Discount Shelving customers can find the Majestic Series clothing racks starting at under $100.00.

 The Majestic Series boutique-style clothing rack line available from Discount Shelving includes:

•  Majestic One-Arm Clothing Rack
• Majestic Four-Way Clothing Rack
• Majestic Single-Bar Rolling Clothing Rack
• Majestic Double-Bar Rolling Garment Rack
• Majestic Round Garment Rack, Two-Tier
• Majestic Three Piece Table

About Discount Shelving & Displays

Since 1995, Discount Shelving & Displays has been a leading source for store fixtures and displays. We import, distribute and manufacture high quality products. Our extensive inventory, low prices and quality service ensures that we have what stores need to be successful. Among the many products Discount Shelving & Displays carries include: gondola shelving, slatwall, gridwall, showcases, counters, mannequins, garment racks, shelving, hangers, signage, tagging guns, jewelry displays, gift boxes, tissue paper shopping bags and more.

 For more information visit: www.discountshelving.com or call: 1-888-957-4353.  Customers can also visit our 10,000 sq. ft. showroom at: 569 Acorn Street, Deer Park, NY  11729.

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Put Your Best Merchandise Face Forward

In retail, creating the right look is one of the key ingredients to sales success. Smart use of displays and accessories can help put your best merchandise forward.  

As you put together your retail displays remember that you want to make a positive impact as soon as a potential customer walks through your door. That first impression will often prove the amount of time they will spend in your store. Keep in mind that most people only give you one chance to make a good first impression. Also, it takes just seconds, a glance for them to form an opinion about your store.

When merchandising, pay careful attention to everything from lighting and store layout, to traffic flow and signage.  Strategic product presentation will also help you make a great impression. One of the best ways to attract your customer’s attention quickly is to use face-out presentations.  Face-out merchandising means having the front part of a product facing the customer.  If you sell books or music, it means titles and CDs are displayed on shelves or easels, with the covers facing the buyer.  Showing just the spines of books or CDs in a bookcase, requires the purchaser to be motivated to work hard to find anything they may want, let alone catch their attention to even want to try!

If you’re selling clothes, face-out merchandising is even more critical.  Don’t hide your merchandise by making the mistake of just hanging clothing on racks where only the edge of a sleeve or shoulder is visible.  For a shopper, it’s like having to dig through a closet aimlessly with no direction.  Not many customers would bother sifting through this type of display without any eye-catching triggers to entice them.

Think about using mannequins or forms to display your clothes. They offer one of the best options for an attractive face-out presentation. It’s proven that “people like to see clothing on people”, to help visualize how clothing will look on themselves. Place clothing forms near folded items to entice customers. Mannequins are typically used to attract attention in display windows and inside to lead buyers to a particular section of a store where often racks of similar clothing set-ups.

If you don’t have the floor space or budget for mannequins, a great alternative is to use apparel racks and accessories.  Many stores use apparel racks and accessories that are designed to create effective face-out merchandising.  

Which racks and accessories offer eye-grabbing appeal?  The following products have proven to help increase sales:

  Two-way racks and four-way racks with face-out arms present are compact, perfect for the center of the floor.

Spiral racks offer a cascade effect from which you can hang and feature the same item in different colors.  

When capacity is an issue, supplement your rounds, and double bar racks with racks toppers.

Made of wire, glass, or wood, you can display face-out signage or forms on top of these rack toppers.  

On walls, use straight-outs, waterfalls and slant arms. Unlike shelves straight-outs, waterfalls, and slant arms give you the opportunity to practically “reach out” to your customers. 

 When it comes to merchandising, don’t be shy, grab and entice your customers with face-out displays.

© 2010 Discount Shelving & Displays