Should I fold or should I hang?

View this email in your browser

To fold or not to fold? That is the question!

Recently I was called in to merchandise a large store as they, like most of you are closed, but the Spring orders had been arriving and
it was feeling most overwhelming for them to look at this clothing and wonder where on earth they were going to put it. I get it! Social distancing was easily managed and it was really fun getting to do this 'hands on work'.

A couple questions came up during these two days spent re-working the store that I think should be addressed.
1. How much product is too much product on a table presentation?
2. Should all products be presented on tables?

Let's look at these individually.

Question # 1
How much product is too much
product on tables?

Table displays are meant to encourage 'multiple sales' meaning that the garments in the presentation are mean't to 'go together'. This one is perfect. All items go together and are easily handled or 'reached'. It's not overloaded!

The same rules for fashion also apply to giftware. The pieces are meant to be multi-purchased. I.e. themes are in place, and everything is
easily reached by the customer.

We have a strong theme in this photo. Items are tidy, and all easily reached by the customer. A bigger table below the top one can easily make it too difficult to reach the top one.

This is so 'artsy' that I don't think customers would feel comfortable shopping from this table. Further to that it's too difficult for all staff members to put something like this back together. It's been done by a 'merchandiser'. At first glance it's definitely pretty, and it's accessible, and...all the things can be worn together, but
I think it's a MISS!

I think that this one at Aritzia is likely the closest to perfect presentation.
The tables not 'over-loaded'. All the garments are meant to be worn together, and the table is easily accessed.

By the way...make sure price tags are never showing in table presentations.

Question # 2
Should all products be presented on tables?

This is the question that came about because the owner couldn't stand the 'messiness' of a raincoat on the table. Basically it was too flimsy to hold a good shape, and therefore to look good on the table.
There are many garments like this.
Some sweaters, light weight garments of all types etc. You know what I mean. They're in constant need of 'fixing'....and that's not good!

You can see here how many of these garments wouldn't fold well if they were on the table. Even the floral one is risky. They would all be better hung. Then perhaps a jean short could be added to the table, and even the cute belt.

Here is the perfect blog post by Mainetti hangers on
Hanging VS Folding clothing
. https://www.usa.mainetti.com/blogs/news/hanging-vs-folding-clothes

Don't forget that I'm offering absolutely FREE Virtual 15 minute "Ask me anything" about Retail Merchandising and Store Design. - with no obligations.

Call or email me at....
778 340 8585 or heddy@urbanspaces.ca

This week I've worked with a hair salon and two clothing retailers, who took me up on this offer!
It's super valuable and especially appropriate now that you're stores aren't open.

You can easily make changes right now!

Just like you, I'm tackling jobs that have been put off... Two years ago when my husband was very ill, I thought I had to get all our photo albums out to reminisce with him and to identify his family members in photos...and then realized after a month of them sitting on my dining room table that I didn't have enough time to do this and that I should spend the little time we had left in more meaningful ways.....so here's what I'm up to today.... below.

It's still a nightmare!
Now you can laugh at me...that's OK!

Besides my photo album project, I've joined Deepak Chopra and Oprah 21 day meditation sessions which are free. I've never meditated before so I'm finding it really useful. I'm reaching out to old friends, walking Forrest a couple times a day and trying really hard to eat healthy.

I love your feedback and that you share my posts with others. If you have any questions you'd like me to tackle, please let me know.

KEEP WELL and ENJOY THE MOMENTS!