For retailers across the UK, Christmas makes winter a bumper season for sales. The festive season is also the time that shop spaces are transformed into winter wonderlands, with trees, lights and sparkles taking centre stage. Whilst it’s great to get involved in the festive fun, all of the decorations can distract from your product as well as your brand. Christmas lovers, rest assured, we have some tips on decking the halls in a way that’s true to your brand.
A twist on traditional
Everyone loves the traditional Christmas look – there’s a reason it’s lasted so long – but a twist on the norm is sure to make you stand out from the crowd. Think about your normal brand image and shop floor layout. Are you a modern brand? Do you have defined brand colours? Play with what you already have, to make sure your Christmas look is both seasonal and on brand. This could be as simple as dressing your shop window in your brand colours or putting a modern twist on an old classic – it never hurts to think outside the box!
Steal back the spotlight
It’s all too easy to get caught up in the excitement of the season, but make sure that all your decorations frame your products, rather than engulfing them. Unless you’re selling Christmas decorations, these should take the back seat. Instead, use your baubles and glitter to adorn your space, helping customers to associate what you’re selling with the perfect Christmas gift.
A little lighting goes a long way
The phrase “less is more” always applies to retail spaces come Christmas. A few well placed festive lights are the perfect way to draw customers’ eyes to the places you want them to go, framing your key Christmas sellers. Again, think outside the box when it comes to lighting. The possibilities are endless, and you want to make sure you stand out from the rest of the high street!
The first step is the most important
It’s all well and good having a fabulously festive interior, but Christmas shoppers will pass you by if the entrance to your Santa’s grotto isn’t perfect. As shoppers become savvier, you need to make sure your entrance says everything about the seasonal experience they can expect inside.
Experience is everything
We’ve spoken before about the importance of exceptional experience, whatever your space. In the run up to Christmas, we cannot stress this enough, especially where retail spaces are concerned. In the stress and madness of Christmas shopping, it’s easy for gaudy lights and trinkets to become overwhelming, meaning shoppers either go away empty-handed or regret their decisions later. Find new ways to appeal to their Christmas spirit. Subtly twinkling lights, cinnamon and gingerbread scents and a warm and cosy environment are all great alternatives to the standard Christmas shopping experience and will leave your customers feeling festive.
If you’d like advice on discovering your signature style, seasonal or otherwise, please don’t hesitate to contact our team of creative designers and branding professionals.