Merchandising Resolutions

#10. Create an Idea File for visual merchandising and advertising ideas. Sort by seasons or events for instant inspiration.

#9. Use a digital camera to create a "how to" training book of your own best displays.

#8. Keep touch up paint handy to freshen up nicks and scratches throughout your store.

#7. Cross merchandise. No area is sacred, including textbooks. Study aids and note-taking tools are no-brainers in this area.

#6. Use a discerning eye in displays. Is there a single focal point? Can taking something away from the display improve it?

#5. Use a template for all signage utilizing a standard border, font, font sizes and color.

#4. Streamline your merchandise assortment, especially in apparel and souvenir gifts.

#3. Create a definite area within the store for junior fit apparel.

#2. Is your slip showing? Operational supplies, electric cords and cables, schedules, paperwork, etc., should be discreet.

#1. NO EMPTY HOOKS!

Holiday Display Contest Winners

Congratulations to the Connect2One Holiday Display Contest Winners.

Hawk's Nest Bookstore at Sacramento's Cosumnes River College was previously featured in my December 1 post. The combination of wing chairs, carpeting and book decorated tree was excellent for a college book store.

In a similar circumstance, VSU Tech Shop at Valdosta State University won with their creative use of objects on hand - mouse pads, software boxes and flyers. Tech products are on the top of many holiday wish lists and VSU shows they are the place to get what you want!

And, for a touch of whimsy, you can't get much better than University of Nebraska Omaha. The Bookstore's window features ice skaters. One in particular looks like me when I put on the skates!

Honorable mentions go to UCSD Bookstore for the expansive atrium decoration, Howard University Bookstore for their use of poinsettias and massed Christmas trees, Skyline College Bookstore for their tree decorated by children and Mars Hill College Bookstore for their Christmas trees in blue and gold school colors. Well done and Happy Holidays to all.

Shopping Season End Sales

Sure, you're just trying to deal with your own holiday shopping plus the shopping demands of those last minute shoppers in your store. But, take a little time to shop those clearance sales for unique display props for your next year displays.

At Cal Poly Pomona Bookstore, they've made a stunning holiday presentation, in school colors as well! As a campus serving strong agricultural disciplines, the John Deere ornaments were a natural. But those ornaments really stand out on this yellow Christmas tree. The fact that the school colors are yellow and green is icing on the cake, or maybe that's icicles on the tree!

A quick browse on eBay turned up royal blue trees, pink trees, purple trees, lime green trees, red trees, even BLACK trees! And, of course, those silver tinsel trees are the coolest in retro seasonal presentations. Why settle for plain old green when you can WOW your customers with the unexpected.

Dress up with Ornaments this Holiday

Hopefully, you have an idea file in your desk drawer to keep some of these ideas handy for planning your holiday displays for next year. That is, unless you're still desparately scrambling to get it together for this year!

Here's a creative idea from the windows of the Toto gift shop at the Cincinnati airport. This purple velvet mannequin form is skirted in netting from which ornaments are hung. A garland sash with more ornaments completes the ensemble. Imagine a skirted mannequin decked out with school color ornaments! Holiday and school spirit all rolled in to one stunning display.

Sitting Pretty this Holiday

You can almost smell the chestnuts roasting in this quaint setting at Hawk's Nest Bookstore at Sacramento's Cosumnes River College. This small bookstore does it better than many large stores by dedicating the necessary for creating such a homey atmosphere.

Wing chairs, an inexpensive rug and nested tables create this library-like setting. The tree was decked out in books that were crafted open with glitter glue and ribbons.

But, in the true spirit of the season, customers who participated in the holiday children's book drive for the CARE/CalWORKS program receive an ornament on the tree recognizing their donation. Now that's store décor that not just looks good, it does good!