Shoe Displays - How To Display Shoes In A Shop

Need ideas on how to display shoes in a shop?

Whether you run a sportswear or fashion store, a discount shoe shop, or a supermarket with a clothing section, you will need to know how to display shoes to sell in retail.

There are multiple aspects of shoe display to consider, including purpose, style and location. Meeting the needs of your customers is crucial to making sales.

Think carefully about what kinds of shoes you're selling, and to which kind of customers. They will have distinct priorities, such as function, comfort, and fashion or self-expression. Ensure you highlight these aspects in your marketing and merchandising.

Shoe shop display ideas: the 3 main types of shoe display

The location of the display in your store affects which shoe display methods you need to be using. There are 3 key types of shoe shop display you need to consider:

1. Countertop shoe displays

Countertop shoe displays are probably the most accessible form of all the shoe displays. They're a good way to display shoes in the path of the customer as they pass through your store.

Place bestsellers at the back of your store. Then, use your countertop areas to showcase particularly attractive shoe displays which will turn your customers heads as they pass by.

Acrylic risers, aka shoe display bridges, are available in a range of sizes.

From hiking boots to heels, all shoe types can be highlighted and elevated using acrylic shoe displays. An angled shoe display bridge adds movement and interest, presenting your footwear in the ideal position for inspecting on all sides.

Additionally, they're easy to move around whenever you need to refresh your countertop and shelving displays.

Shop acrylic display bridges

2. Wall shoe shelves

Shop slatwall and gridwall

Displaying shoes on wall displays is an essential way for dedicated shoe shops to maximise every bit of space possible.

The best shop wall fittings for most applications are slatwall and gridwall panels and accessories. You can easily add and move around individual shelves.

Acrylic shoe shelves are popular for use in slat wall shoe displays. They're available with ticket holders which you can use to display branding, information and prices.

Alternatively, individual metal gridwall shoe shelves easily slot onto metal wall grids or, alternatively, you can place multiple pairs of shoes on a larger gridwall shelf.

3. Shoe display plinths

A shoe display plinth, or pedestal display case, is a great way to bring attention to a particular shoe or brand. Use plinths and pedestals to show off your most unique, eye-catching footwear.

Wooden plinths have a rustic aesthetic, wire plinths have an industrial feel, and acrylic plints look really modern.

If you have particularly high-priced footwear, enclosing it in a display case will enhance the exclusive, luxury aesthetic.

Shop display plinths

How to display shoes in a shop and boost your in-store sales

Shoe shops, like most retail environments, are increasingly at risk of losing potential in-store sales to online channels. The rise of augmented reality and 3D technology is changing the way customers shop and increasing their online spending. Nevertheless, shoes are still an item that most customers would prefer to purchase in-store [1]. This is because fit and comfort is key when it comes to shoe shopping.

A key reason your shoppers choose to enter your store rather than shopping online, is because they want to experience the fit and feel of your shoes, as well as seeing the look. Researchers have suggested that retailers could cater to customer needs better by offering a dedicated trying-on zone, with flat ground, steps and slopes. You could even add different kinds of surface finishes [2].

Even so, many customers use shoe shops for “showrooming” - i.e. trying on in-store, but shopping online in order to seek the best deals. As well as attracting customers with stylish and functional in-store shoe displays, you need to take action in order to ensure they actually buy there and then.

The best way to combat this channel-switching behaviour is by offering a better service and fair prices in-store [3].

Display your footwear in an attractive and accessible manner, with clearly visible branding and pricing information. Highlight any sales and special offers with signage, such as countertop poster holders, acrylic blocks, and floor-standing poster holders.

From shoe display stands and shelves to signage displays, you can find all the supplies you need to create a stunning footwear display with UK POS.

To get more inspiration and ideas for your clothes retail displays, check out our fashion retail guide.

References

1. Cook, Ohrii, Kusumoto, Reynolds and Schwertzel, “Augmented shopping: The quiet revolution”, Deloitte Insights, Deloitte Centre for Integrated Research.

2. Laiwechpittaya and Udomkit, “A Matter of Shoes: The Analysis of Desired Attributes of Shoes and Retail Shops from Bangkok Consumers’ Perspectives” (2013), International Journal of Marketing Studies; Vol. 5, No. 2.

3. Schneider and Zielke, “Price versus service: Can retailers beat showrooming with competence?” (2021), Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Volume 61.