As you think about merchandising ideas for your store remember great displays go a long way toward stimulating customer interest in your products. Interesting signs in turn are a key to providing customers with information and sales incentives. Here are some tips that you may want to keep in mind. Cross-market your merchandise to make buying easier for the busy consumer or working parent. Look for bold graphics and attractive designs in your display fixtures and signs. Search for displays that show product from every possible angle and from a distance. Use in-store displays that reflect your store’s image. Customize your displays with special features: Interesting graphics and colors; A header to maximize product awareness; Identifiers for cross-merchandising; etc. Don't go overboard. Bigger displays and bigger signs are not always better. Aim for multi functionality to get more use out of a display. Consider modular designs. They offer tremendous versatility and accommodate varying amounts of products. Know your merchandiser’s life cycle. Temporary signs and displays are generally effective for only two to four weeks. The photo on the right contains modular displays. The backgrounds are a product called Homosote that has been painted and mounted on the wall. Then there are the pedestals - various heights and colors. Note on the far right, on the floor is what I call the pole garden. This is a wooden box with pipe flanges and nipples screwed to the bottom and standard bird feeder poles sleeved over the nipples. The poles can be pulled and then re-mounted, re-sized, and different items displayed. Disclaimer: The contents of this newsletter are provided as is. There are no express or implied income or performance claims made herein. Your business success is dependent of many factors including such things as your resources, commitment, skills and ability. All trademarks are the property of their respective holder. ©Copyright 2008 John F. Gardner. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. To contact us via email use this address: editor@naiwbs.com