The retail industry is one of the fastest paced and personalized markets there is.

Between the ever-evolving trends of fashion and the demands from consumers, retail display trends change frequently to keep up with the times. You can even tell when the weather outside is about to get hotter or colder as displays change.

How do brick and mortar locations stay on the top of their game? To best maneuver the twists and turns of the retail world, in-store displays have to be on brand and on trend.

Especially in times of sales, special events, and seasons changing, retail display trends can change from one day to another.

Here Are the Top Retail Display Trends Expected in 2017

1. Connect with Your Customer

Consumerism is getting depth; customers want to feel connected to your brand.

Connection means more than a nice salesperson or a fun fitting room. It means creating an experience. What does your consumer have to look forward to when they come into your location?

Give them more to enjoy than just the new collection of clothes or beauty products in stock. Make use of fun, interactive retail display trends that make them stop and take the moment in.

The better a moment is created, the more likely a customer is to look around your shop and walk out the door with a purchase made.

Focus on making memories with your customers first and making profits will follow.

2. Old School Is Back in Style

Speaking of memories, this year has nostalgia in the air.

Retail display trends are taking customers down memory lane with peg letter boards on shelves and more vintage feels. What used to be seen only in quirky coffee shops or diners is now alongside big designers and fancy shoes.

Old styles bring a new, refreshing take to the modern world. This method is being welcomed with open arms by consumers and retailers alike.

Who knew a mental stroll down memory lane would lead to a line at the register?

3. Technology Is Your Tool, Use It

This is one of the most available (and important) aspects of retail display trends.

Technology is part of our lives. It is how we get up in the morning and get around town and, usually, how we make a purchase. Might as well get customers engaged in the purchase cycle with technology, too.

One of the most popular methods of doing so is smart shelves. Smart shelves communicate in real time with both the consumer and the retailer. They can take inventory, adjust prices, and even express other important details like expiration dates.

Branded light boxes are another tech trend to look out for.

These are cost-effective twists on traditional posters or signs customers are used to seeing in the window. Instead of the boring, same-old-same-old the fun, bright lights grab attention with campaign photos or inspirational quotes.

They can be placed in key areas of the store like sales sections, with new collections, or at checkout.

Some retailers are even combing steps one and two with things like motion censored displays and interactive screens. Such screens include smart mirrors that let customers try clothes on virtually without having to wait for a fitting room.

4. Mix Things Up

Speaking of innovation, do not be afraid to play with different creative styles.

Often times, things repeat themselves as they evolve. Summer fashion will always be about showing some skin and getting out in the sun. Winter is about cozy cover-ups and warm layers.

Mixing retail display trends is a way to reflect market patterns in a way that feels new and exciting. It makes your customers stop and take a second to take everything in.

It is also an extra avenue of expressing the uniqueness of your brand. This is something everyone looks for when shopping from door to door – what sets you apart? Why should someone purchase from you and not the competition next door?

Having the right mix of styles like urban, rustic, modern, vintage, and international (to name a few) can actually mean drawing enough attention to make your potential customers curious. From there, the clothes and products can take care of the rest.

The important part is keeping people interested as they browse around and make their way through the store.

5. Go Green or Go Home

Customers are looking to support sustainable efforts. They are bought-in to climate change, which in turn can be an effective tactic to have them buy something in your store, too.

In fact, more than half of global responders purchased goods from a socially responsible company in the past six months.

Using sustainable materials for in-store displays helps brands express their stance on protecting the planet.

Promoting eco-friendly fashion is a win-win for the consumer and the retailer. Things like bamboo, recycled glass and reclaimed wood feel natural. They greatly contribute to a store’s layout and feel natural to the customer.

Retail display trends that reflect brand values and initiatives will make lasting connections with consumers.

Particularly in the areas of sustainable efforts like Adida’s plastic shoes or Stella McCartney’s recycled suits, it is safe to say going green is a trend that is not going out of style anytime soon.

The consumer world is shifting towards saving the planet, and the retail world needs to follow the signs.

Although it is hard to say what to expect in the future of fashion collections, one thing is certain – customers will continue to take to the streets.

An afternoon browsing around the mall or a trip to a popular boutique is more than just a purchase opportunity. It is an experience many consumers enjoy and look forward to.

By adapting to the retail display trends of the times, brands have a valuable opportunity to make lasting connections with customers.

Displays can provide more than something to buy. Displays create experiences. They are lasting memories and powerful impressions that stay with customers long after other things go out of style.

Have more retail display trends you want to share? Leave us a comment below.