Visual Merchandising is a misnomer. The proper term for the concept "visual merchandising" should be "sensual merchandising." In the most elementary principles, visual merchandising is creating an environment that captures and maintains a customer's interest utilizing all of the available elements associated with the senses.

Visual merchandising starts with the first experience the customer has with your store, usually the parking lot. Parking lots should be free of garbage, provide ample space, be situated close to the entrance and most of all, should be well lit. This is also part of good customer service.

Curb appeal is crucial. Display items in your windows that are appealing and invoke emotion in your customer. No matter how effective or beautiful your displays are, you have to change them every week. If you don't change your displays, your customers will notice and will move on to seek something new. Treat your window like art and allow your displays to reinforce your image as a unique place to shop. Use lighting in your windows and if possible, leave your lights on at night.

Upon entering the store, the customer should immediately get a sense of your business and your message. The entrance to your store should be uncluttered and should allow your customer a moment to adapt to the environment, the lighting and the sounds surrounding them. Your customer should have a sensation of warmth and a feeling that this is a location that they would like to linger in and enjoy, and ultimately, purchase something.

Lighting is one of the most important factors in creating atmosphere. High quality lighting can make a mediocre display look extraordinary. Use lighting to focus the attention of the customer on areas of interest and to highlight items that are unique. Mood lighting can and should be incorporated in sections of your establishment. Use it sparingly and wisely.

Color should be utilized to demand attention and influence your shoppers. Focal points that are highlighted with color make it easier to focus your customers' attention and ultimately direct the customer to areas in your store. Use these areas to feature novel merchandise or merchandise that is unique to your store.

Never play the radio. Music is fine. It should be appropriate and reflect the audience that you are catering to. Pick out the music you will play. Make several recordings and play them in your store.

You must allow your customer to interact with the product. You should have at least one of every style available for the customer to touch and inspect. Items left in packages do not sell as readily as those that are out of the packaging or are placed next to a display item that the customer is free to examine.

Educate your employees on your products. Your employees should know where items are located within your store. They should also be well versed in topics such as warranties, associated products and any guarantee or return policies in place in your establishment.

Visual merchandising is also going digital. Digital displays are inexpensive and act as silent salespeople in your store. Invest in a digital display and you can communicate with your customer on many different levels. Create a presentation on your laptop and run the presentation on your display conveying important information about your products, your service and your business to your customers.

Lastly, have coffee, tea or something brewing that appeals to the senses. Allow your customers to sample some coffee or popcorn as they browse in your store. Food and great scents create a feeling of comfort and will result in your shopper lingering in your store longer. Longer lingering by your customers increases the odds of getting a sale.

In conclusions, visual merchandising is seeing attractive displays and a well merchandised store, hearing music that is appealing and having the ability to converse with knowledgeable salespeople, feeling and touching displays and offering customers something to taste and smell.