Color That Sells: How smart color choices drive emotion, engagement and sales
Walk into a Target, open Amazon, or step into an Apple store, and one thing hits you before the price tags do: color. Shoppers form an impression in under 90 seconds—and up to 90% of that judgment is based on color. That means your palette isn’t just “a design choice.” It’s your sales strategy in disguise. In the vibrant world of retail, every detail counts. Yet, one of the most powerful, subconscious influences often goes overlooked or underestimated: color. The hues that dominate your store, your branding, and your packaging aren’t just aesthetic choices; they are silent salespeople, constantly influencing customer emotions, perceptions, and ultimately, purchasing decisions. At shomi!, we know color doesn’t sit in the background. It leads the conversation, sets the mood, and nudges customers toward action. The right choice makes people stop, shop, and buy. The wrong one? You risk being invisible. The Science: Why Color Sells
Designing for Accessibility: How to Create Inclusive Signage and Displays
In today’s world, the need for inclusivity and accessibility is more important than ever. Brands have a responsibility—not just an opportunity—to ensure that their visual displays and signage are designed with everyone in mind, ensuring that they are easy to understand, navigate, and interact with. Creating accessible designs isn’t just about meeting legal requirements, it’s about fostering an environment where everyone feels welcome Let’s explore how to design signage and displays that are inclusive and effective for all audiences. Understand the Basics of Accessibility Before diving into the creative process, it’s essential to understand what accessibility actually means in the context of signage and visual displays. Accessibility refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people with disabilities. But it goes beyond that. It’s about making your content clear, easy to navigate, and welcoming for everyone, including those with temporary impairments or people who might face difficulties
What Makes a Retail Display Actually Get Noticed?
5 Essentials for Visual Impact In a world full of content, screens, and short attention spans, how do you make someone stop and look—especially in a retail space? Spoiler: it takes more than good lighting and a logo.At shomi, we’ve spent 20+ years building displays, environments, and brand moments that cut through the noise. Whether it’s an in-store rollout, pop-up, or massive event install, here are five things we’ve learned that make a retail display not just look good—but work. 1. Be Clear or Be Ignored If your display doesn’t communicate something in the first 3 seconds, you’ve probably already lost the moment. Your display need to be be more than just pretty graphics, the best visual environments tell a story—and fast. Think: bold hierarchy, strategic use of space, and a message that doesn’t get lost in the noise. Simple is smart. Intentional is powerful. 2. Materials Are Half the
Acquiring and Using Sustainable Materials in Trade Show Design
Trade shows are a vital marketing tool, offering brands a platform to engage with customers and showcase their products. But let’s be honest—traditional trade show designs are about as eco-friendly as a plastic straw convention. Single-use materials, waste galore, and energy-hungry setups are the norm. Fortunately, sustainability is no longer just a buzzword; it’s a movement. So, let’s talk about how to create show-stopping exhibits without leaving a carbon footprint the size of a T-Rex. Understanding Sustainable Materials in Trade Show Design Sustainable materials are like the superheroes of the design world—they fight waste, lower emissions, and still look fabulous doing it. These materials are renewable, recyclable, biodegradable, or made from recycled content. When picking your trade show materials, ask yourself: Recyclability & Reusability – Can this material live another life after the event, or will it end up in landfill purgatory? Biodegradability – Will it gracefully decompose like a
Holiday Display Trends for 2025
What to Expect This Festive Season As the holiday season approaches, brands and retailers are gearing up to create displays that captivate, inspire, and, most importantly, stand out. Each year, new trends emerge that shape how businesses approach their holiday decor and visual marketing strategies. For 2025, it’s all about blending innovation with heartwarming nostalgia, pushing the boundaries of what a holiday display can be. Here are the top trends you can expect to see lighting up the retail world this year: 1. Minimalism with a Sprinkle of Magic: Less is More While the holidays are often associated with lavish, over-the-top decorations, the trend for 2025 is steering toward minimalism. Sleek, clean lines paired with strategic pops of colour will dominate retail displays this coming holiday. Imagine window displays where a few carefully placed, elegant elements create a sense of wonder. The goal here isn’t to overwhelm but to captivate
Creating Social Media-Worthy Store Displays
The Art of Designing for Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and Beyond In the age of social media, where every moment is a photo or video op, your store’s display isn’t just a backdrop—it’s the star of the show. Whether it’s a meticulously arranged product stand, a jaw-dropping window display, or an interactive setup that begs for a dance video, today’s visual merchandising has a new mission: to be social media-worthy. After all, if it’s not shared on Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, or the latest app, did it even happen? The Power of the Perfect Pic or Clip Let’s face it: We’re all guilty of pausing to snap a photo or record a quick video of something eye-catching—be it a colorful mural, an intricately designed coffee, or a store display that stops us in our tracks. And where do these visual gems inevitably end up? On Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and wherever else we
When Retail Advertising Displays Go Wrong
Retail Display Fails & How To Avoid Them At shomi! inc., we know that a well-crafted retail display can make or break your brand’s image. From banners and banner frames to signs and lightboxes, these tools are essential for grabbing attention and driving customer engagement. But what happens when things go wrong? Let’s take a look at some real-life examples of retail advertising blunders and what you can do to avoid them. 1. Dim or Inconsistent Lighting in Lightboxes The Problem: Lighting can either highlight your products beautifully or cast them in an unflattering light—literally. Inconsistent or dim lighting in lightboxes can make your display look unprofessional and diminish its effectiveness.Real-Life Example: In 2017, Apple faced an issue with their lightbox displays in some stores. The problem? Inconsistent lighting due to a manufacturing defect in the LED panels. The dim and uneven lighting in some lightboxes caused a visible difference between
Retail – Mastering Mall Presence
How to stand out from the competition in a busy retail environment Navigating the bustling environment of a large mall can be challenging for retailers. With numerous stores competing for shoppers’ attention, it’s crucial to develop strategies that make your store stand out. From creating an inviting storefront to offering exceptional customer service, here are in-depth tactics to help your retail business shine in a crowded mall. 1 – Captivating Storefront & Visual Merchandising First Impressions Matter Your storefront is the first point of contact with potential customers. Make it irresistible by focusing on: Eye-catching Retail Signage: Use bold, well-lit signs that reflect your brand’s personality. Think of it as your store’s Tinder profile picture – swipe right-worthy. Clean and Organized Retail Display: Ensure your windows are clean and displays are neat and thematic, changing them regularly to showcase new arrivals or seasonal items. Like a chameleon, adapt to the
