Summer Trends in Retail Design and Visual Merchandising

As the weather gets warmer and the days longer, it’s time to start exploring the latest trends in retail design and visual merchandising so you can stay ahead of your competitors this season. Designing eye-catching and engaging summer windows can be a daunting task, and the pressure to create a display that really stands out is sometimes overwhelming. 

Over the years, our NOLA team has had the opportunity to work with so many female-owned businesses helping them prepare their store for the summer months. We have witnessed the incredible power of effective retail design and visual merchandising in boosting sales and brand loyalty. This year we want to help YOU, and make sure this summer season is a remarkable one for your brick-and-mortar store!

Minimalism

Clean, open, and clutter-free stores have a powerful impact on customers. This has been a trend for a while and it will continue this season as people seem to be embracing the “less is more” philosophy. As a retail store owner, opt for simple and minimalistic displays that showcase your products in a visually appealing way. By eliminating distractions and unnecessary decoration, you get to create an environment that brings a sense of serenity and calm to your customers while they’re browsing your store. Do you also feel overwhelmed when you go shopping and there’s too much going on? That's how your customers may feel shopping if your store display is cluttered, and that’s why we need to keep it minimalistic! To achieve this, focus on a few key products, use white space effectively, simplify the color palette, and arrange your products in an organized way.

Pop-Up Shops

Summer is the season for adventure and spontaneity, and pop-up shops perfectly capture this spirit. Limited and exciting - that’s why they are a win every summer! These temporary retail spaces are a great opportunity for testing new markets, connecting with your target audience on a personal level, and generating excitement around your products or/and services. Do some research on summer markets happening around your area and try attending as many as you can!

Multi-Sensory Experiences

As a retailer, it's important that your customers are truly ambassadors of your business. So your multi-sensory experiences greatly influence how much your customers engage with your brand and fall in love with it. Try incorporating elements such as scent, sound, and touch that trigger emotions and leave lasting memories. Choose a scent that really aligns with your brand and the designed ambiance of your store and then curate a playlist that matches that vibe too. For a sense of touch, make sure you’re providing samples and testers for your customers to try out your products - everyone loves samples!

Social Media Integration

Have you struggled to make your brick-and-mortar a social media-worthy destination? By investing in the design of your physical store you need to build a social media presence featuring the space to generate interest in your store. Incorporate social media elements into your retail designs that will motivate your customers to post on their online platforms. These moments can include feature or window displays with vignettes, interactive hashtags on mirrors or feature walls, and whimsical and fun signage that's brand and photogenic. These small additions will get customers to share these aspects of your store and will not only amplify your business visibility but also generate buzz and word-of-mouth recommendations. Don't forget to add your social media handle to these areas so customers can tag you!

Embrace the trends and strategies for a successful summer season!

If you have any questions about these summer trends in retail design and visual merchandising or you simply need professional help applying these tips to your retail store, please don’t hesitate to contact us! We’re here for you!