Visual Merchandising for Retail Spaces

Program Overview

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Introduction:

Please note: This course is delivered through the Enterprising Ashfield project, which is funded by the Government's Towns Fund. Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is pleased to offer free (fully funded) places on this course to support individuals and employees of businesses that are based in the towns of Kirkby-in-Ashfield and Sutton-in-Ashfield.

The standard fee would normally be £575.

Visual Merchandising is an effective way to maximise your retail product displays, both in-store and in window displays, to improve your store layout, endorse your brand message and generate sales.

This course will provide you with an insight into the key roles and responsibilities of a visual merchandiser and will show you how to align your products to the retail calendar.

This course is ideal for anyone interested in finding out what it takes to be a visual merchandiser, and equally useful for retail owners and employees who’d like to learn to create their own successful displays and discover the fundamentals of visual merchandising.

With a limited number of places on the course, you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue developing your skills at home or work.

Program Outline

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What you’ll study

On this course you’ll learn the techniques used in the industry to capture your audience’s attention and make you stand out from your competitors including:

how to use lighting effectively to create a certain mood and dramatic displays

creating compelling displays and using signage successfully

how to style and dress mannequins and utilising other props and fixtures

ensuring your displays relate to your brand identity and create positive customer experiences

till point displays with interest and linked products to encourage further purchases

creating seasonal displays focused on the retail calendar.

You’ll analyse the importance of shop floor plans and utilising the fixtures to improve your store layout and customer flow through the space.

You’ll create your own visual merchandising calendar for a whole year, highlighting specific events within the retail calendar so that you can maximise planning and themes for displays.

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During this course you will:

learn how to develop flat lays, floorplans, in-store merchandising, and window displays

analyse shop floor plans looking at successful designs used in the industry

research current trends in retail merchandising

showcase how products can be used to display themes and trends

create your own retail calendar for the next 12 months to help you maximise sales and profit

create a 3D window box using various materials.

The course is delivered through lectures, group discussions, classroom activities and real-life examples.

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What will you gain?

By the end of the course you’ll have developed shop floor plans for engaging merchandising displays.

You’ll leave with a greater understanding of the themes and trends used in to implement an adaptable approach to merchandising retail spaces.

You’ll also receive a certificate of attendance when you complete the course, which is a great way to enhance your CV.

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How you’re taught

In-person from the Summit Centre in Kirkby-in-Ashfield.

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Contact hours

6 July – 7 September, Thursdays 6 – 8.30 pm for ten weeks

or

5 October – 7 December, Thursdays 6 – 8.30 pm, for ten weeks.

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Tutor profile: Jason Forrest

Jason Forrest is a specialist in visual merchandising and brand presentation.

He has worked with luxury and premium fashion brands such as Bally, Burberry, Harvey Nichols and House of Fraser for the last twenty years, designing window displays and product placements across the UK and Europe.

He is currently the Course Leader and Senior Lecturer in Fashion Marketing at University of East London.

Jason continues to share his craft with emerging entrepreneurs and retailers which also informs his own teaching practice.