Bold signage encourages impulse sales at Flowers & Fancies in Owings Mills, Maryland.
You don’t need a ton of money or even space to do visual merchandising with panache.
Take, for instance, this wall of succulents at Flowers & Fancies in Owings Mills, Maryland.
Positioning grab-and-go containers beneath a clever and corresponding quote (“Life is like a cactus: thorny but beautiful.”) has triggered an uptick in impulse buys.
“The idea came about organically,” said sales and marketing coordinator Kristin Peters: a shipment of succulents and cacti had just arrived and the shop had an empty chalk wall and shelving unit in the aftermath of Valentine’s Day. An employee with excellent penmanship and drawing skills scoured the Internet for the perfect quote and illustration concept
“Customer response has been extremely positive,” Peters said. “It’s inspiring the staff too! We’re having so much fun creating new dish gardens.”
Retail consultant Becky Tyre, founder of The Retail Details blog, dissected the display to explain its effectiveness:
- “Bold signage attracts customers to small products,” Tyre said. Chalk signs are the only hand-written signs she suggests using in a retail setting—and only then if someone on staff is artistic, neat and creative. “This example is superb,” she said.
- Cacti and succulents are showing up in all gift categories, including tabletop, textiles, home decor and even toys. “It’s one of the biggest trends in 2017,” she said. “The recognizable, iconic shapes are eye-catching and perfect for displays at garden centers and floral shops.” (Click here for a roundup of some stellar varieties.)
- “Quotes are trending on social media,” she said. “This display area is perfect for an Instagram or Facebook share!”
