Tips Offered For Improving Trade Show Displays’
Appeal
At major national trade shows like the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show
(K/BIS), innovative displays help manufacturers draw potential
customers to their booths to see their latest products. By taking a
tip or two from the trade show floor, kitchen and bath retailers
can learn how to showcase their products more effectively.
What follows are some design ideas and suggestions that leading
manufacturers use at trade shows to get their products
noticed:
- Accessorize. A few well-chosen accessories can bring new life
to product displays and help consumers visualize what the product
will look like in their own homes. Any number of items can make
your kitchen and bath displays more authentic including artwork,
decorative mirrors, floral arrangements, lamps, small pieces of
furniture, colorful place mats, towels or draperies. Even a
bath-robe hanging on a hook can give your showroom a “homier”
feel. - Use Color to Attract. Today’s homes are getting more colorful
by the minute. That’s a trend which is not lost on manufacturers in
the kitchen and bath industry, who are incorporating color into
many new products. Consider adding new products like a colored
glass vessel sink to your showroom. Even if the consumer doesn’t
purchase the item, it becomes a wonderful conversation starter and
lets the consumer know that you’re up on the latest trends. - Get Some Space. Use the appropriate amount of space to showcase
each product in your showroom. Less is more, especially in the
kitchen and bath. Overcrowding is unattractive and confuses the
customer. - Know Your Audience. Most kitchen and bath showroom owners are
savvy when it comes to knowing what their market can and cannot
support. For instance, a streamlined, Euro-styled faucet may not
play as well in, say, Georgia as it might in Manhattan, so
highlight the products that work best in your market. Keep in mind
that 85% of consumers prefer traditional over contemporary
designs. - Set the Scene. Just like a director dictates what props and
characters will be on set, manufacturers today are creating trade
show booths that look like a real kitchen or bath, complete with
running water and working showers. Lifestyle displays are an
effective tool for retailers because they encourage consumers to
think beyond just a basic faucet or cabinet upgrade toward a
complete remodel. - Update the Showroom. The kitchen and bath industry is an
ongoing fashion show, with a stream of constantly changing trends
and product styles. You don’t need to jump on every new trend, but
it is important to make sure you are using current beauty shots
provided by manufacturers to showcase their products.
You should also think about sprucing up your showroom with a fresh
coat of paint. In addition, proper lighting is critical to
highlight your products. Consider installing track or under-counter
lighting if you haven’t done so already.
Finally, if you have the available resources, it never hurts to
hire a professional to give you some design suggestions.
At no time has there been a better time to be in the kitchen and
bath industry. This year alone, there will billions of dollars
spent on home improvement, and more than a million new homes will
be constructed. With a little creativity, you can turn your
showroom into a designer showplace.The article above was written exclusively for Kitchen & Bath
Design News by Linda Kirby, creative director of Masco Design
Solutions, and John Roach, display and merchandising manager for
the Masco-owned Delta Faucet
Company.