Visual merchandising key to retail success

Visual merchandising is becoming a vital selling tool to retailers, with 89% of high-street operators saying their board-level attitude towards displays has changed considerably in recent years, according to WGSN. Visual merchandising is perceived as a genuine means of gaining competitive advantage over other retailers and is a major draw to consumers. A growing number of CEOs and founders are now taking personal responsibility for merchandising management, a survey in May of the UK 's top retailers on behalf of shopfitting and display company SFD showed.

The survey also showed that retail bosses rated "commercial experience" four times more important than retail experience and 79% said "commercial awareness" was vital to fully understand branding. Asked which stores other than their own they most admired, Selfridges came top, followed by Topshop, Zara, Liberty and Barneys NY.