Resale and consignment shops, with their wonderful
variety of ever-changing merchandise, have a unique opportunity to focus
customers' attention with a swing shop. The excerpts that accompany these photographs
in text like this are from Shop
Sizzle, which in addition to Topic #7, Swing Shops, has 9 other
discussions directed specifically for resale shops, to help them look as
great (and oftentimes greater!) than those new-merchandise stores.
A swing
shop says to your customer: "We havewhat you want, we
have agood selectionof this item, we're always
changing, and it'sfun to shop here!"
What more could you ask for?
E This
photo of Lina Beth Fine Consignments in Ocala FL shows the basics of
swing shops: A swing shop is an
area dedicated to selling featured items.
F You
can mix hanging items with a table to display accessories. The glass
tabletop allows for light to shine through, and for you to use the
floor below for tote bags, a floral arrangement, even a handsome
pair of boots. For maximum
exposure, your swing shop should be in the front half of
your store, easily entered from your door.
E Here,
it's a swing shop on a wall, a great use of space you might have
that needs to remain flat (an entry wall that abuts an entry door,
perhaps?) Notice the mix of face-out and racked items, also the
layering of merchandise. Color balance adds to the appeal.
FA
swing shop that's mostly tabletop. Notice how, if you sell a variety
of hard and soft goods, they mix and mingle beautifully if you use a
theme or look. This display is an irresistible "treasure
hunt"!
E
Castaways Concepts in CA took
my suggestion to think of your swing shop as an island
literally...by using an area rug to anchor and define the area.
Area rugs help
define the "island" and set a mood.
F
Another "island" and some
vertical surface too. This photo's from the Liz Claiborne site.
Don't you think Castaways Concepts did just as good a job at
highlighting a selection of merchandise?
E
Layer without fear... here's a home decor shop that's
done just that. Sure, it'll get messy...because delighted customers
will look, feel, and buy! If you want to try this look but you don't
carry small furniture, heed this from Shop
Sizzle: Garage sales and
relatives’ cast-offs can yield treasures. A paint-speckled
wooden step-ladder is a great piece for denims or sneakers.
F There's
no limit, except for your time and your space, on the number of
swing shops you can have. Here, in a photo taken by a Sharer at
Collage in Alabama, a staffer seems pleased that she managed to get
it completed before customer snatched up all the goodies!
If your swing
shop isn’t attracting browsers and buyers, if it stays too neat or
is bypassed for other areas of the shop, change it.
Ready
to make more money with a swing shop in your store?
Shop Sizzle
tells you how to sell
the Sizzle
by making your merchandise more tempting.
Simple, quick, and useful
for shops of all types and budgets. 10 topics cover the 10 areas of
your shop that should SIZZLE with excitement.
Make
your shop look terrific and sell more! Order it today!