Puzzle Package Self Promotion

Posted by Tony Kadysewski in Uncategorized and tagged with

Here a puzzle piece is the puzzle package. As POP it is pretty unmistakeable across the selling floor. And perceived value is raised by positioning the line as a “Keepsake Collection.” I think it would have been fun to design the plastic cases so that they too fit together as a puzzle. It might even allow owners to create a larger display of their collection on a shelf at home. CLICK thumbnail for a closeup puzzle package view.

Compare directly to the merchandising at…
“Puzzle P-O-P by Tokidoki” and
“Hangers as Jigsaw Puzzle.”

Also see…
“Puzzle Piece Recycling Bin”

Straight-Entry Under-Shelf Hook

Posted by Tony Kadysewski in Hooks: Scanning, Hooks: Specialty and tagged with

Here Scan Hooks and Label Holders are tight under the overhanging shelf. Outfitting like this is only possible with Straight-Entry Hooks like these One-Piece Scan Hooks with Extruded Label Holders.  They are classed as one-piece because the backplates are hinged for straight entry, but do not disassemble. One-piece design saves on setup time and labor. CLICK thumbnail to inspect the backplate design. *****

SEE “Polish Crew Fixtures the Impossible” for a case of hook inserted first, shelf added later.

SEE “Tight Planogram Design by Matell” for the tight-display-creation advantages of this hook in a normal retail display.

SEE “Lengthy Straight-Entry Hook” for the advantages of hinged straight entry for long hooks, where there would not be room for the up-tilt maneuver required to insert standard hooks.

SEE “Straight-Entry Island Spinner” for a small table-top cashwrap display application.

SEARCH “Straight Entry” for posts on this topic, or “Best Practices” for common sense fixture advice.

6v Battery Ramp

Posted by Tony Kadysewski in Shelf Edge Fixtures, Shelf Manage/Divider/Pusher and tagged with , ,

If you thought D-cell Batteries were bulky, space-consumptive and heavy to hang on hooks, consider these 6v Batteries. Even one-up there is no way to hang with the other battery packs. Solution? An angled battery backstop that faces items up from the base deck for easy visibility even by tall folk like me. But having seen batteries shrink is size for decades as devices learn to sip not guzzle power, I rack my brain to imagine the use for these brick-like behemoths. I think I recall camping lamps that might have used batteries like this. But a modern use might be buying 2 to jump start your 12v car battery (Refresh my memory, if I wire two 6-volt batteries in series rather than parallel, do I get 12 volts? What if I wire in parallel?). CLICK the thumbnail for a closeup angle on this battery ramp. Feel free to imagine in in other-than-battery uses.

 For a related ramped fixture SEE…
“Inclined Basket + Inclined Ramp”

To follow battery merchandising theme SEE…
“Strong Battery, Strong Fixture”
“Imaged Battery Backtags”
“A Season for Slots”
“Lengthy Straight Entry Hook for Heavy Batteries”

Bagels in the Round vs. Square

Posted by Tony Kadysewski in Shelf Manage/Divider/Pusher

We all test advertising, promotion headlines, web landing pages, direct mail paper stock and more … here is a chance to test bakery point-of-purchase sales in round wicker verses square wicker basket. Both fixtures were even seen in the same neighborhood bakery, so the sample population would be so identical as to guarantee the statistical validity of the test. If you would like to fund such research, pen a several hundred thousand dollar check for the study to FixturesCloseUp, and I’ll get the project underway … And even erect a brass plaque in your name on the test site. After which the baker and I will immediately retire to a warmer clime. CLICK the thumbnail for a closeup of the square view.

For more Wicker fixture news SEE…
“Low-rider French Bread Baskets”
“Wicker Basket Shelf for Slatwall”
“Floor Sale in Wicker Baskets” and
“Bananas in a Basket.”

For a totally different look SEE…
“Bakery Basket on a Metro Shelf.”

Hopefully you register the touch of humor
in my research proposal. For more
SEARCH “Silly” here on FixturesCloseUp.

Banana Basket at the Cashwrap

Posted by Tony Kadysewski in Shelf Manage/Divider/Pusher and tagged with

A healthy treat marketed at the cashwrap … along with your 500 calorie Cafe Mocha Venti with Whipped Cream. Actually my favorite coffee shops all offer a “Skinny” variety … even a “Skinny with low-cal Whipped Cream” … But I might be better off with the banana alone. I’m sure many take both. CLICK thumbnail for a closer wicker view

COMPARE with other cash wrap banana merchandising at…
“Banana Tray with Label Holder.”

To mass merchandise bananas by the bunch try…
“Banana Hook With Straight Entry”

For more Wicker fixture news SEE…
“Low-rider French Bread Baskets”
“Wicker Basket Shelf for Slatwall”
“Floor Sale in Wicker Baskets” and
“Bagels in the Round, And Square.”

Wall Tags for Pegboard & Slatwall

Posted by Tony Kadysewski in Hooks: Scanning, Hooks: Specialty and tagged with

Wall tags mount to Pegboard and Slatwall and can add label and sign capability to eliminate or augment signage or back tags. Both these are clear to better blend into the background. The left fixture is designed for pressure sensitive adhesive labels. The right features an industry standard FISH tip which accepts label holders and strips, and sign holders. This same FISH tip is available on hooks, and basket tags to created a system of label and sign holders throughout the store.

For other specialty uses of the well-known FISH Tip SEE…
“Specialty Sign Mount Benefits“
“Giganto Safety Loop Hook with FISH Tip Label Mount”
“Curved Channel Holds FISH-Tip Scan Hooks”
“Rolling Pins Vend Vertically on FISH Tip Scan Hooks” and
“Undulating Arm Helps Cookware Nest”

For an unusual but obviously incorrect use SEE…
“Stick on Label, Stuck On Wrong.”

Articulated Metal Tag for Labels

Posted by Tony Kadysewski in Hooks: Display, Hooks: Specialty, Label and Sign Holders and tagged with

This straight Entry Loop Hook was not used much as a Loop. Look lower left to see merchandise hung and draped casually over the same hook, regardless of the Loop. A hinged metal tag provides a built-in articulated label holder. The Straight-Entry configuration too is a bit unusual, but very eye-catching in a contrasting metal alloy. Finally an uncommon hole pattern is used to form the perfed metal display surface. One might ask, what is not different about this retail tool display found in a woodworking specialty store.

 For additional coverage of this display surface pattern SEE…
“One-of-a-Kind Perf Metal Pattern.”

For related articulated holders SEE…
“Hinged Metal Plate Label Holders”

For vertical label holder discussions SEE…
“Label Orientation Alternatives“
“Rotated Toothbrush Label Holders” and
“Backplate Anchors Toothbrushes.”

SEARCH “Straight Entry” to follow the specialty hook thread.

SEARCH “Perforated Metal” to follow the display surfaces thread.

How to Arrange Stock for Sale

Posted by Tony Kadysewski in Uncategorized

Courtesy of The Sideroad Website

If the store fixture is the tool, then learning to be a merchandising craftsman with that tool is the mark of a true retail professional. Here, then, for all such aspiring professionals is practical advice for merchandising effectively and promoting sales courtesy of The Sideroad website and Retail Services Consultant Donna Geary. Among the subtopics covered are merchandise density, accessibility, size and price vs. shelf position, taking advantage of eye and hand level, face-out merchandising, vertical merchandising, cross presentations, merchandise outposts, and performing a shopper reality check.

Yes, I know, that for the most part, you know all this. But a quick refresher course never hurts. Link on over to Donna’s online article “Merchandising for Sales and Profits: Promoting Impulse Sales.”

For a “fixture-only” perspective SEARCH
“Best Practices” here on Fixtures Close Up.

For Fixtures Close Up posts that uniquely deal with stock arrangements SEE…
“How to Correctly Face Apparel.”
“Wrenches Fixtured Step-Wise”
“Erratic Hooks Tighten Display.”

One-of-a-Kind Perf Metal Pattern

Posted by Tony Kadysewski in Hooks: Display, Hooks: Specialty and tagged with

This vertical display system features an unusual hole pattern I have never seen before. The closely spaced rows seem to be standard Pegboard pattern, but the alternating rows are unique. Many of the fixtures were Straight Entry Display Hooks that mounted to the standard hole pattern. No Scan Hooks, front wire Label Holders, or Back Tags were used. Though as you can see labels were adhered directly to the display surface of each facing to identify and price it. View the small inset or CLICK the thumbnail for a closeup view of the pattern

If you are familiar with this perforated metal pattern, please educate and enlighten us all by leaving a comment. To see more of it VISIT… “Articulated Metal Tag for Labels.”

For other Perforated Metal posts and patterns SEE…
“Hook Styles for Square Perfed Metal“
“Hybrid Perforated Metal Hook”
“Loop Hook for Square Holes”
“Poor Display, Outstanding Fixtures”
“Inventory Control Front and Rear”

For a flat horizontal use of Perforated Metal SEE…
“ Perforated Pallet Rack Shelf OverLay.”

SEARCH “Perforated Metal” for all posts related by display surface.

SEARCH “Straight Entry” to follow the specialty hook thread.

Copper Tubing as Store Fixture

Posted by Tony Kadysewski in Shelf Edge Fixtures and tagged with

Image Courtesy of Retail Environments Magazine and the Kapsiki Boutique, Palm Beach, Florida

It looks like I am not the only admirer of unusual retail store fittings, even when homemade. This use of Copper Tubing as fixture comes from the “Inspirations” section of A•R•E Retail Environments magazine. CLICK the thumbnail to see a magazine cover closeup, or link out to their latest Digital Edition.

For more examples of such creativity
here on Fixtures Close Up, SEE…

“Do-It-Yourself Store Fixture“
“Brass or Bronze Fixture Finish“
“Rivet Detail in Retail“

Need a similar result in lighter gauge, VISIT…
“All Wire End-of-Rack Hook.”

Moving farther afield you might enjoy the thread originating at
“Radical Departure Fixture Design.”

Package Hooked Vertical & Askew

Posted by Tony Kadysewski in Hooks: Scanning, Uncategorized and tagged with ,

I admit it. ‘Twas I who propped and photographed this package hanging in two ways. It was all I could imagine for the second package hole. But the large circular knock-out is so unlike the normal that I wonder if there is another use for it. Sometimes camping gear and tools are sold in packing meant for user storage or display. Might this second hole allow the tiny and easy to misplace flashlight, to be hung in its large hard-to-lose clamshell from a tentpole or guy-wire while camping? Usage comments are welcome and invited. CLICK the thumbnail for a closeup view of the skewed presentation. Display hardware you ask? Simple All Wire Scan Hooks with Flip Front Label Holders. I cropped them out forcing you to focus on the unusual packaging. *****

For other asymmetrical and unbalanced product display SEE…

“Hook Displays Hammer Diagonally”
“Scissor Display Asymmetry Offers Trial”
“Lash Curler As POP Objet D’art”
“Asymmetric Package Display”
“Odd Sign Insert is Die-cut Shape“
“Fixturing Unbalanced Packages”
“Hammer Hardware Holder”

2012 Creative Cross Sell Award

Posted by Tony Kadysewski in Hooks: Scanning and tagged with

Normally I am on the lookout for creative store fixtures. But creative new ways to market in retail always intrigue me too. Here an LED Flashlight is packaged with pet poop pickup bags as a reinforcement to the sale. The package pitch is that the flashlight “provides added safety, makes picking up pet waste quick and easy … and that it attaches to any leash.” Scheptical I consulted my city-dwelling, pet-owning friends (I am rural where animals may poop as they see fit). I was told this is a winning combo. Still parochial, rural-ensconced me, can’t grasp the situation. If you must curb and clean up after your dog in the city, don’t the street lights provide the necessary illumination? Is the dog-poop political party too impotent to have the municipality turn up the lumen level (see “lux“)? CLICK the thumbnail for a better look at creative marketing worthy of an early Award from Fixtures Close Up. The only thing missing from the selling strategy is ASPCA and UL product approvals.

For others in the Fixtures Close Up Award series, SEE…

“2011 Creative Cross Sell Award“
“2011 Creative Hookery Award“
“2011 Smallest Slotwall Award“
“2011 Unruly Fixture Award“

“2010 Creative Cross Sell Award“

For more of my dry, observational wit SEARCH “Silly” here on Fixtures Close Up.

Curved Basket Tag With Kickstand

Posted by Tony Kadysewski in Label and Sign Holders and tagged with

A graceful curve defines a new approach to Hang Tags, here applied to Endless Basket. I’m not sure the concavity improves label visibility, but it adds a small design flourish not seen elsewhere. The rear kickstand does help maintain a better angle though. CLICK the thumbnail for a closeup view of front and back. *****

For other fixture alternatives SEE…
“Basket Tag Baselines”
“Bakery Shelf Label Challenge” and
“Hang Tags in Vibrant Color.”

For an unusual but related post SEE…
“Hinged Metal Plate Label Holders”

SEARCH “Basket Tags” for all related posts.

Fat Hamster Escapes Bell Jar

Posted by Tony Kadysewski in Uncategorized and tagged with ,

This cute chubby Hamster (or possibly Groundhog) served as speechless spokesmodel in this cosmetics point-of-purchase display. The Bell Jar further focused attention and elevated the item‘s merchandising. The Hamster either escaped or possibly was kept from chewing the product by the Bell Jar itself. There was no indication the Hamster was a giveaway with retail purchase. So he must be sales staff.

For other Bell Jar posts SEE…

“Bell Jar Squared for Shelf Edge”
“Candles in Bell Jars”
“Lingerie in a Bell Jar”
“Swedish Bell Jars on Display”
“Cosmetics in a Bell Jar”
“Twin Fragrances in Bell Jars” and
“Fragrance in a Bell Jar Redux”

For plush animals in retail SEE…

“Plush Uglys Point-of-Purchase Stand”
“Plush Toy Shelf Dividers”
“Hook has Two Monkey Load Limit”
“Fencing Overstiffed Goods” and
“Plush Bolster as Belt Displayer”

For one of my favorite movies SEE…
“Groundhog Day (film)”

For an explanation of the holiday, SEE…
“Groundhog Day (Holiday)”

Back Tag Holder is Self-Adhesive

Posted by Tony Kadysewski in Label and Sign Holders and tagged with

Back tags can provide important planogram and stocking information, and sometimes even sales info and pricing. Typically they are printed precisely for duty as a Bag Tag. These self-adhesive equipped Back Tag Holders would allow use of plain-paper Back Tags … Or possibly eve product labels, or imagery cut from the package. Just peel the carrier away and stick your message in place.

For loosely related fixtures and uses, SEE…
“Label + Card = Custom Back Tag”
“Imaged Battery Back Tags”
“Rare Anti-Sweep Grid Hook with Back Tag” and
“Planogram Back Tag Bonanza”

For more Back Tag examples SEE…
“Diagonal Back Tags as Point-of-Purchase Sign”
“Back Tag Says Whoops”
“Steep Angle Tip Display Hooks with Back Tags”
“Erratic Hooks Tighten Display”
“Color-Coded Back Tags”
“ICC’s Backstop Gravity-Feed Hooks”
“Retail Pet-Peeve in Spanish”
“The Ultimate Black Back Tag”
“Out-of-Stock Back Tag”
“Grid Backdrop for Cookware with Back Tag”
“HD Loop Hook Hardware with Back Tag”
“Betty Boop’s Holiday Best with Back Tag’
“Light-weight Xmas Multi-Hook”

For an industrial back tag use SEE…
“Firestop Tag Back”

Mailbox Point-of-Purchase Promo

Posted by Tony Kadysewski in Label and Sign Holders and tagged with

An amazingly visible retail promotion based upon a single simple sign. In a wall of bank-vault-secure metal post office boxes, one is left open to promote the service with a sign. It even includes a “call to action.” UPS’s corporate color may be sedate brown, but their POP and merchandising thinking is colorful and creative.

For other mailbox fixturing SEE…
“Santa Mailbox In Store”

For plain box (not mailbox) point-of-purchase SEE…
“No Peeking Until the Holidays”

Spoon Rest Utensil is Die-Cut

Posted by Tony Kadysewski in Hooks: Scanning and tagged with

The fixtures are Straight-Entry Scan Hooks. But the cooking utensil demonstrating the spoon rest‘s function is a cardboard cutout of the package itself. The front and back views show the concept in point-of-purchase. Clever indeed. CLICK the thumbnail for an angled view of how it works.

SEARCH “Cookware” to follow the product thread.

For other interesting merchandising SEE…
“Cookware Merchandises Itself“
“Magnets as Cookware Fixtures“
“Frame Displayer Merchandises Bakeware“
“Hook Design by Porsche?” and
“Super-size Strainers Dovetail“

SEARCH “Die-cut” for all posts that mention the technique.

Woodworking Tools On Slatwall

Posted by Tony Kadysewski in Hooks: Scanning and tagged with

Slatwall itself is an uncommon choice for use in any hardware merchandising. But the linear arrangement of Metal Plate Scan Hooks allows easy browsing of tool and bit sizes. In this woodworking boutique environment, the loss of merchandising space seems more than compensated for by improved product navigation, selection and a store-branded fixture arrangement. *****

CONTRAST with “Wrenches Fixtured Step-Wise”
and “Erratic Hooks Tighten Display.”

COMPARE with an alternate way of making size selection easy at …
“How to Correctly Face Apparel.”

For other examples of Slatwall in atypical environments SEE…
“Hooks Exalt Steering Wheels” and
“Hook Design by Mercedes.”

Gender-Tagged Ski Boot Trays

Posted by Tony Kadysewski in Hooks: Display, Hooks: Specialty and tagged with

Wall-mount trays for footwear are a popular fixture theme. But well-nigh-unisex-look ski boots require an easy way to communicate gender and age for best browsing and ease of selection. These sporting goods trays provide large scale flag areas for just that purpose. Additional label and sign space fronts the entire tray. CLICK the thumbnail for a closeup of the naked tray from two angles. Note the triple-threat hybrid backplate which mounts to slat wall, pegboard and bar. *****

For related Winter Sports fixture and merchandising ideas SEE…

“Eccentric Ice Skate Hook“
“Ice Skates Pirouette on Hooks”
“Hockey Stick Stacks Pre-Game”
“Hockey Stick Stacks Post-Game“
“Custom Goggle Displayer”

For other hybrid hook designs See…

“Giganto Hybrid Safety Loop Hook”
“Sign Circle With Hybrid Faceout Mount”
“Sign Circle With Hybrid Bar Mount”
“Super-Duty Hybrid Loop Hook”
“Hybrid Perforated Metal Hook”
“Dual Over / Under Hook Design”
“Hybrid Helmet Hook” and
“Hybrid Grid / Bar Hook”

Beverage Dividers Large and Small

Posted by Tony Kadysewski in Shelf Manage/Divider/Pusher and tagged with

These sized-to-product wireforms are easy-to-create, cost-effective shelf management systems for a host of products.  They can be easily spaced for large, small or a combined family of sizes. Here they support gravity feed via inclined shelves and low-friction matts.  Clips anchor the one-piece, drop-in-place units to shelf edge perforations. What does the alternative look like? Compare the shelf managed beverages with the loose cans stacked in the lower right corner of the top photo. *****

COMPARE to the alternate design at…
“Made-to-Order Wireform Dividers.”

CONTRAST with individual dividers at…
“Bad Day in the Beverage Aisle.”

For other example of product size possibilities SEE…
“Shelf Manage Small Items with Wireform Dividers” and
“Shelf Manage Small Items Redux.”