Shoes in Threes

Nine West, The Met Centre, George St.  A great example of merchandising using the 'three-style' principle.  The eye is attracted more to threes than either twos or fours.  I liked the way the stock is presented as though something special, with the lighting and the wall fixture.  I think the use of the yellow shoe in the front is very clever.  

Shoes come in Threes

Nine West, Broadway.  Here's an odd fact.  Have you ever noticed how many shoe styles are displayed in threes ?  It seems counter-intuitive, but the human eye seeks out symmetry.  Three styles look better than two styles and better than four styles.   If you observe carefully, you will see the leading footwear retailers, especially in ladies footwear merchandise like this for key lines, although not for every line - that would be too monotonous for the eye.  Interesting isn't it, and there we thought shoes always came in pairs :)

Fresh-ness Sells

Oxfam, Nine West, Broadway mall. What do Oxfam and a shoe retailer have in common ? Well, they have both grasped the important point that shoppers look for 'new-ness' or 'fresh-ness', and that windows are the best way to sell new product. It is amazing how few retailers recognise this. Well done to them.

FRESHNESS SELLS

even for footwear and bags :)  Nine West store, Broadway. (apologies for poor lighting in pic) A good example (one of the few around) of a retailer using the window to focus on the announcement of  'new arrivals'.  'Freshness' of product offer is especially important to the Frequent shoppers - typically the 20% who make up 80% of the sales.  Why wouldn't you use the window to announce 'new-ness' and make it a central focus for these important customers ?  It should be simple.

THE FINAL MARKDOWN

Nine West, footwear store, Pitt St Mall. Is there a danger of customers reading this as "we are going out business" ? It has some urgency though.