Social media is everywhere all the time, and as a retailer, you’ll need to embrace this new era. Consumers' shopping behavior is being shaped by social media more now than ever before. This is what we call social-first shopping. For retailers, it’s important to rethink how your store layout and overall environment are set up and make sure it’s working with social media rather than against. How do you do this? Read more on how you can design fixtures and display merchandise to strike the perfect balance of functionality and aesthetic.
Understanding Social-First Shopping
Social-first shopping is where social media trends are the main motivation for a consumer to make a purchase decision. Think of popular sites like TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, and more as how customers decide on what to buy. Have this in mind when you place and design your displays in your store to inspire your customers not only to buy but also to social share. It’s all about creating a visual experience that resonates on digital platforms. Imagine a store fixture as an example. It isn't simply a shelf or a rack. It’s a stage for customers to interact with your brand and share it with their audiences.
Why Fixtures Matter in the Social-First Era
Fixtures in a store may seem to be background noise when thinking about the whole shopping experience, but you’ll want to see them as an extension of your brand identity. A well-designed fixture can do so much more than simply show merchandise. It can encourage social sharing by being visually striking, or it can boost foot traffic, especially if it’s a photo-worthy design.
Tips for Designing Social-First Fixtures
Having your fixture show off your products can be more creative than you’d think. Here are some tips on designing social-first fixtures that we’ve found work best for most retailers.
Related Article: Why Standard Fixtures are so Expensive
Create Eye-Catching Visuals
Try for bold and bright colors when you’re designing your signage or displays. You want something that will stop customers in their tracks and create an emotional response. Also, try thematic displays or unique shapes that can act as focal points for photos and videos.
Incorporate Interaction
Interactive elements in displays and fixtures are all the rage right now. You don’t want your customers just looking at products by themselves. Use this opportunity to have them truly interact with the products so you’re able to present moments for them to remember and potentially even encourage them to share it socially. For instance, digital displays are great because they can react to movement and add a dynamic, shareable layer to fixtures. Also, maybe consider incorporating selfie stations, built-in props, or mirrors into your fixtures, inviting shoppers to take and post photos.
Reflect Current Social Trends
Next time you’re on social media or reading the news, pay attention to the shopping trends that are out in the world. It’s great to align your store with current social trends to show your demographic that you’re relevant and modern. For example, if minimalist aesthetics dominate Instagram feeds, clean, uncluttered fixtures in muted hues can help your store align with those same themes.
Summary
Next time you’re thinking of redesigning or refreshing your store layout, let social media do the talking. Find trends or designs that you can implement in your retail space, which will encourage social sharing, inspire engagement, and amplify your brand's reach across platforms. Need help getting started? Reach out to our team at S-Cube Fixtures. We can not only provide your retailer with expert advice but also help create custom fixtures, point of purchase displays, and a wide range of other solutions! Your next viral moment could be one perfectly designed display away.
