How to make your shop window pop this Christmas

We know, it’s early to be talking about Christmas. But it’s never too early to be planning your Christmas shop window displays. Every store will be fighting to grab the attention of their potential customers, so designing an enchanting, eye-catching retail Christmas display should be high on your priority list. In this article, we are going to discuss some tips and tricks on how to make the most of your visual merchandising this festive season, and give you some handy Christmas shop window display ideas that you can implement to draw the customers in.

Why are Christmas shop displays important?

Christmas window displays are a crucial visual merchandising tool throughout the festive season. According to Unibox.co.uk, of all the elements within a visual merchandising strategy, window displays have the biggest impact on footfall, and therefore sales. And with 60% of SMEs in the retail sector arguing that Christmas is the most important time of the year, there’s no better time to elevate your window displays to draw in the crowds.

The appeal of Christmas displays is their ability to create a magical, immersive shopping experience. These displays not only showcase products, but they also have the power to stir nostalgia, and spark the festive spirit within potential customers. 

Those shopping for Christmas gifts also tend to spend more time in-store, and make more impulse buys than regular shoppers. Therefore, as retailers compete for attention and sales, investing time, creativity, and resources into Christmas displays is an important and strategic marketing tool. The potential for these displays to catch the eyes of shoppers and drive foot traffic is almost unrivalled, so in order to prepare for the most wonderful time of the year, upgrading and enhancing your window displays is a necessity.

How to maximise your Christmas shop window displays to entice customers

Now that you know the importance of an effective retail Christmas display, you may be wondering how to achieve one! We’re here to help with some handy tips on how to maximise your Christmas displays in order to entice customers and, hopefully, generate sales.

Include your products in your displays

While you may think that the most important part of a Christmas display is the festive cheer, reindeer and sleighs, you don’t want to be forgetting to advertise the products you’re there to sell. You wouldn’t want customers to come in expecting to be able to purchase something that you don’t actually offer, so incorporating your products into your festive theme is a must. For example, a homeware company could display their plates, adorned with a mince pie, carrot and a letter to Santa, or a fashion retailer could display their clothing as beautifully wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree.

Make your display stand out from the rest

This is where a bit of creativity comes in. What can you do to make busy shoppers on the highstreet enter your store rather than your competitors? You’ll need to do more than just putting up a tree and decorating the shop window with tinsel!

Instead, consider developing a theme that integrates with your brand and can unfold across the displays in your shop, showcasing your products in a way that captures the imagination of people passing by. We’ve spoken at length on the different visual merchandising techniques that you can employ throughout your displays, and Christmas displays are the perfect opportunity to let your creativity run wild.

One way to make your display stand out from the rest is to use colour, lighting and narrative to show your customers who you are and the story behind the brand!

Showcase your personality

Because nothing is more unique than your business! Whether it’s through quirky decorations, a thematic approach, or a display that reflects the core values of your business, showcasing your personality creates a memorable and relatable connection with customers. 

By making your brand more approachable, you invite customers to not just enter your store but to become part of an experience that resonates with them on a personal level, fostering loyalty and long-term engagement.

Time the big reveal of your Christmas display

An important aspect of your Christmas marketing display that is often overlooked is choosing the right time to switch your displays from your normal displays to your festive theme. Too early, and people will find it ridiculous and avoid stepping foot in the shop, but too late and you risk missing out on the festive shoppers.

In order to choose the perfect time, look back at your customer data from previous years. What month over the festive season did you make the most sales? Use this information to help you make a decision that works for you.

Create an in-shop experience that matches your window displays

Make sure that your festive cheer doesn’t stop at your window displays. Fill your store with matching decorations that reflect your chosen theme. Creating an enticing experience won’t only encourage shoppers to buy more, but it will also push them to come back, and spread the word to their family and friends.

How Proportion London can help

Visual merchandising helps to achieve eye-catching festive window displays, captivating store layouts, and interior designs that leave your customers wanting to return.

At Proportion London, we are visual merchandising experts who excel at  creating an exciting, immersive experience for your customers all year round – but especially over the holidays. We have years of experience in helping our customers to create enticing displays across high street and high-end retail environments, museums and showcases.

We offer a range of different mannequins, busts and rails, available to both purchase and hire, depending on your requirements, so you will be able to spread the Christmas cheer in multiple showcases across your store. We are also able to create bespoke designs, unique to you and your needs.

Contact us today to discuss your requirements and discover how we are able to help you.