VISUAL MERCHANDISING

FIXTURES & PROPS

By : Shruti Kumari
M.Design Third Semester FDM
VISUAL MERCHANDISING
VISUAL MEANING:
Relating to the sense of sight.

MERCHANDISING MEANING:
Merchandising is the Market Practice in which the
brand or the image from one product or service is
used to sell other.

VISUAL MERCHANDISING
Visual merchandising is the practice in the retail
industry of optimizing the presentation of
products and services to better highlight their
features and benefits.
Purpose of Visual Merchandising
The purposes of visual merchandising are quite straightforward and aimed at
bringing in profits for the retail store. Other purposes include:

• To increase sales by showing and promoting your merchandise.

• Make the display visually appealing to encourage customers to enter the
store.
• Get the customer to pause and “shop” the selling floor;
• Use merchandising to enhance, establish and promote the store’s visual
image.
• Improve customers’ shopping experience and entertain them;
• Educate customers about the use or accessorizing of a merchandise.
FIXTURES AND PROPS IN VISUAL MERCHANDISING
FIXTURES:
Fixtures come in this process of creating displays as an original
way to expose items. Store fixtures are inexpensive ways of
decorating your store and attracting customers to it.

PROPS:
Props are not part of your merchandise, but any object that
enhance the theme, mood, or story of your display. Visual
displays of props are especially attractive around popular
holidays such as New year, Christmas, Deepawali and
Valentine’s Day.
FIXTURES AND PROPS IN VISUAL MERCHANDISING
Props and fixtures are important for in-store display. Visual merchandising refers to silent
selling of products by creating visual medium. It is making products to look attractive in the
eyes of customer.
FIXTURES
Types of Fixtures in Visual Merchandising
• Body forms
• Racks
• Hangers
• Wall displays
• Display cases
FIXTURES
BODY FORMS
- Body Form refers to fit models in retail and apparel stores that display clothing, jewelry,
and wearable accessories.

- These body forms are based on body conformations extracted from anthropometric data.
Customers can visualize how the item will look on themselves

- Types of body forms at stores:

• Mannequins
• Dress Forms
• Bases & Neck Blocks
• Hosiery forms
• Display heads
FIXTURES
RACKS
Racks showcase clothing in an organized and elegant manner. The best part is it saves space.
Small and medium-sized stores benefit from these kinds of fixtures. It’s a boon for retailers
looking to have an inexpensive customized clothing display.
Some of the types of racks you’ll commonly find in stores are:
• Spiral Racks
• Round and Half-Round Clothing Racks
• Spinner Merchandising Racks
• Shelf Racks
• Single-Rail Clothing Racks
• Multi-Rail Clothing Racks
• Rolling Garment Racks
• Garment Bag Racks
• 4-Way Garment Racks
• Corner Racks
• Towers & Gondolas
• Tables
FIXTURES
Clothes Hanger
- Almost all apparel stores use hangers to display the variety in-store. A merchandiser can
efficiently display multiple versions of the same clothing one-behind-another

- Hangers can be of made of either wood, Metal & Plastic

- Different types of Hangers:

• Dress Hangers
• Pants Hangers
• Skirt Hangers
• Children’s Clothing Hangers
• Suit Hangers
• Coat Hangers
• Lingerie Hangers
FIXTURES
Wall Display
- Wall displays are attached to the walls of the store. Sometimes they are free-standing displays that are leaned
towards a wall. It offers unlimited customization opportunities. One can display shoes, clothing, accessories,
purses, small electronic items, etc. These displays are made up of wood, plastic, or metal.

- Types of Wall Displays

• Outrigger Displays
• Waterfall Display Fixtures
• Straight Arm Display Fixtures
• Perimeter shelving
• Wall Mount Garment Hooks
• Multi-Sided Fixtures
• Floor Stands
• Slatwall Panels & Inserts
• Gridwall Panels and Displays
• Baskets
• Dump Bins
• Pegboards
• Pipeline Rolling Racks
FIXTURES
Display & Storage Cases
- Display cases are generally used to showcase high-priced products like jewelry, electronics,
video games, etc.

- Types of Display and Storage Cases

• Full Vision Display Case
• Half-Vision Display Case
• Wrap Counter
• Cash Register Stand
PROPS
Types of Props in Visual Merchandising

•Potted plants
•Ceramic pots
•Colorful and artfully arranged lights
•Boxes or crates
•Barrels Wrapped gift boxes denoting the occasion
Ribbons Flowers, both artificial and real arrangements
•Ribbons Flowers, both artificial and real arrangements
•Sculptures
•Signage
•Artworks
•Holiday motifs such as Turkeys, Christmas trees,
paper mache hearts
•Artificial grass
•Artificial snow
Christmas Trees
•Fabric
PROPS

Potted Plants Signage Colorful and artfully arranged lights

Gift Box & Crate - Baby Shower

Artificial Grass & Snow, Sculptures Art Work

PROPS
What are the most creative ways to use props in visual merchandising?
1. Choose props that match your brand identity
2. Use props to create a focal point
3. Use props to tell a story
4. Use props to create contrast and harmony
5. Use props to add dimension and depth
6. Use props to surprise and delight
PROPS
1. Choose props that match your brand identity
Your props should reflect your brand values, personality, and style, as well as appeal to your ideal
customer.
For example:

a) Eco-friendly clothing
One may use props made of natural or recycled materials
Wood, bamboo or Cardboard

b) Luxury Jewelry
One may use props that convey elegance and sophistication
Velvet, Silk or crystal

The key is to use props that reinforce your brand message and differentiate you from your
competitors.
PROPS
2.Use props to create a focal point
A focal point is the element that draws the attention of the viewer and guides them to the
main product or offer. A focal point can be created by using props that contrast with the
background, create a sense of movement, or add drama or intrigue
For example:

a) A large or bright prop to stand out from the rest of the display, like a giant balloon, a
neon sign, or a colorful umbrella.
b) Prop that creates a sense of movement, like a spinning wheel, a swinging pendulum,
or a flying kite.
c) Prop that adds drama or intrigue, like a mysterious suitcase, a broken mirror, or a
hidden door.
PROPS
3.Use props to tell a story
- A story is a narrative that connects your products with your customer’s emotions, needs,
or aspirations.
- A story can be based on a theme, a season, a trend, a problem, or a solution.
For example:
Props to tell a story about
a) Summer vacation: Props like suitcases, sunglasses, and beach towels

b) Winter wonderland: Props like snowflakes, candles, and blankets for a winter
wonderland story.

The key is to use props that support your story and make it memorable and relatable.
PROPS
4. Use props to create Contrast and Harmony
Contrast and harmony are principles of Design that help you create visual interest and
balance in your display. Contrast is the difference between two or more elements, such as
color, shape, size, or texture. Harmony is the similarity or compatibility between two or
more elements, such as theme, mood, or style.
For example:
a) Props to create contrast by using opposite
colors, like black and white, or different
shapes, like circles and squares.
b) Props to create harmony by using
matching colors, like blue and green,
or similar shapes, like triangles and pyramids.
PROPS
5.Use props to add Dimension and Depth
Dimension and depth are aspects of space that help you create a sense of perspective and
realism in your display. Dimension is the measurement of an object in terms of length, width,
and height. Depth is the distance between the foreground and the background of a scene.
For example:

a) Props to add dimension by using different

sizes of objects, like small, medium, and large
or different heights of objects, like low,
medium, and high.
b) Props to add depth by using different layers
of objects, like front, middle, and back, or
different angles of objects, like horizontal,
vertical, and diagonal.
PROPS
6.Use props to Surprise and Delight
Surprise and delight are emotions that help you create a positive and memorable impression
on your customers and encourage them to explore your store and buy your products.
Surprise is the feeling of being caught off guard by something unexpected or unusual.
Delight is the feeling of being pleased or satisfied by something pleasant or enjoyable.
For example:
a) Props to Surprise your customers by
using unexpected or unusual objects,
like a bicycle, a piano, or a chess board.

b) Props to Delight your customers by

using humorous or playful objects, like
a teddy bear, a cupcake, or a magic.