Top Tips for Updating Your Store On a Budget

By: Kym Ben-Ivgi

With the holidays & New Year sales behind we are sure you like many retailers are making plans for your business in 2015. As they say it’s out with the old and in with the new. Now is the perfect time for taking stock. Take a fresh look at your store and invite friends and family to do the same and give you honest feedback. You might be surprised what ideas come up!

We’ve put together some quick tips for refreshing your store that won’t break the bank:

1.  Deep Clean

Hire an industrial cleaning crew or pay your most meticulous staff members to give your store a thorough cleaning from top to bottom. Dusting, vacuuming and getting into those hard to reach places. Don’t forget the windows as these are your introduction to the world.

2. Clear the Clutter

Yes you’ve heard this before but we’re repeating it again as we all know this works better than anything else to change the appearance, energy and ambience of your store. This doesn’t mean changing over to ultra minimalism it just means reassessing and getting rid of stuff on the floor, behind your cash/wrap desk, in the corners and halls. Start with one area a week until your store is done. It will feel fresh and new.

3. Apply Make-Up

Freshen up with a coat of paint. If you’ve always painted your store in a neutral color then try changing it up. You don’t have to redo the whole store in a bright bold new color. This might be too much of a shock to the system. Instead consider creating a focal wall with a great eye-catching color and see the area pop! Don’t forget to apply a fresh coat to the other walls.

4. Update Signage

Signs get old fast. You can update your store immediately by updating your signs. Whether you decide to add new sign holders or create new visuals this is a great way to change up your store and attract customer’s attention. Use signs not only for information and pricing but more importantly to reinforce your store brand and the ambience you want to create.

5. Reconfigure Your Fixtures

A new season almost always means a new range of products for retailers whatever type of store you have. Being able to quickly and easily accommodate the new range by reconfiguring fixtures is incredibly important so start planning now to optimize your store potential. Your fixtures should be flexible to allow for this. If not checkout the fixtures at www.udizinestore.com All our fixtures are designed to be easily reconfigured. You might not want to invest in a total renovation but adding some additional fixtures could greatly improve your store’s function.

Does My Store Need Remodeling?

While a freshen up can work wonders, if you haven’t renovated your store for several years then it may need more as even a well designed store can start to look dated. A full store remodel can breathe new life and energy into your store and of course increase sales.

If you’re considering a full or partial remodel instead of just quick fixes then checkout our site Customer Projects for inspiring retail display ideas. All our display fixtures are available from stock and designed to be modular so you can create the perfect display solution for your store. The fixtures are all designed to work individually or can be combined for a full store solution. Select a variety of displays to differentiate areas of your store.

Feel free to contact our Customer Service to discuss your project.

To view the original article visit: http://blog.udizinestore.com/top-tips-for-updating-your-store-on-a-budget

Fashion Resolutions You Should Make In 2015

 

By Chloe Tejada The Huffington Post Canada                                                                                                         |                                                                                                                                           
Sure, "The September Issue" taught us that "September is the January in fashion" but though that may be true in the magazine world, it's not the reality for the rest of us who are looking to make a few changes in the new year.

New Year's resolutions are notoriously hard to keep, which is why we believe in only trying a few so that you can actually maintain them throughout the year, rather than just through February.

Fashion resolutions are no different. Remember "out with the old, in with the new"? Well, that saying is definitely applicable towards fashion, especially for the new year.

Come 2015, here are the style resolutions you should try (and remember you can pick just one if you want!):

1. Clean Out Your Closet
How did all those socks get piled up in there, anyway? If you find that you don't have any more room in your closet, it's time to clean it out. Sort out your clothes carefully, by organizing them into different piles. Haven't worn that bedazzled blazer in two years? Donate it to your local Value Village or Salvation Army. Socks and underwear with holes? Toss them. Even better, host a clothes swapping party with friends, so you know your clothes will end up in good hands.

2. Shop Thrifty
Is one of your resolutions to stick to a budget? Make it easy on yourself by avoiding the mall and head to thrift stores, vintage shops and second-hand stores that have cool and affordable fashions. Best of all, everything that's old is new again for spring 2015, so you'll still be trendy without paying full price.

3. Find A Tailor
You know how celebrities look good in everything? It's because they have a tailor. Now, we're not expecting you to blow your budget, but it's worth investing in a couple of tailored pieces (think pants, eveningwear and blazers) because not only will they fit you better (and therefore make you look even more gorgeous than you already are) but you will be more likely to keep them longer because they're custom fitted to you.

4. Figure Out Your Figure
Take a good long look at yourself and the kind of clothes you wear. Once you know what kind of body shape you have, the easier it will be to find clothes that look great on you. This will help you avoid wasting money on clothes that don't fit and help you invest in pieces that can last you years. If you're still not sure, head over to a department store such as Holt Renfrew or the Hudson's Bay and ask for a personal shopper who can help. Get ready to feel and look amazing.

5. Return Clothes You Aren't Sure About
Ever bought a piece of clothing only to get home and realize you're not really sure whether you like it? Yeah, we've all been there. If you've purchased something and are still unsure about it, return it. Don't waste your valuable closet space (and your money) by keeping something you're never going to wear.

6. Save For That Special Item
Been longing after a Chanel bag for the past five years? Obsessed with those designer heels? Make your fashion dream a reality by creating a plan that will help you reach your goal. Whether it be halting all clothing purchases for six months or making your lunch or putting away a bit of money each paycheque, make a plan that works for you. And stop shopping online! Trust us, when you get your dream item, it will be worth it.

7. Get Inspired
Still figuring out your style? Meet Pinterest. Aside from excellent cooking and wedding dress ideas, Pinterest is a treasure trove of fashion ideas filled with excellent street style, fashion how-tos and tons of gorgeous pics that you'll want to print out and post on your cubicle.

8. Don't Take Fashion Too Seriously
At the end of the day, what really matters is that you feel good. So if you find that you're comparing yourself to other people (damn those models!) and feeling down, take a breather and make some time for yourself. Hang out with your pals, go for a run, read a good book—anything that make you feel great. And if that means taking a break from fashion, that's fine! Remember not to take it too seriously and have fun with it.

To view the original article visit: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/12/30/fashion-resolutions-2015_n_6396582.html