Product placement in an outlet store

While on my navigational design field trip, I noticed something else that I would like to blog about here. That is Product placement in a store. I have always noticed it but never talked about the effectiveness of placing a product of the store in a way that makes you feel like forking out money to buy it, oh boy.

The model store for this topic is Brands Outlet Store which I'm sure is a name everyone knows and frequents to. They are known for their 3 for RM50 t-shirts that have funky and colourful designs and their Buy 1 free 1 plaid shirts. Now we know why it's such a favourite store for you and me ;) For your information, Brands Outlet Store is under the Padini Group, that has brought you Vincci, Padini, P&Co., Seed and others.

And so, I strolled into the store as usual and noticed the decor and placement of t-shirts on one of the columns of the store. (Note that stores dont usually welcome picture taking so I had to be discreet O_O)

Image 1

If you can all notice the row of colourful shirts placed on the column of the shop in the middle of this picture..... Ok, see it? That was what I was talking about. The colours were really striking and it really did made me want to buy some warm coloured t-shirts. In this instance, I have almost fallen into the product placement trap. (Almost because I didnt buy anything! ^^)

Image 2

Here's another column with clever placing of the clothes in the store. I find it a nice way to show what other clothes the store has to offer other than the ones displayed on models. This method of showing clothes sure beats just hanging them on racks of course. It's placed high and on the same level as the signs (Women's section, Men's section, Children's section etc.). So when one lifts their head to look for the department signs, they see the clothes on the columns too. Smart.

Image 3

On an unrelated note, I saw these mannequins while I was resting on the convenient couch at the Shoes department. A plus sized mannequin! Wow, finally clothes for bigger women. Since this store focuses on being fashionable and affordable to the masses and it does show that they cater to the masses by offering clothes for plus sized women as well as normal sized and petite women. Because this is a group of people that have been in our society all along, yes, took you some time to notice them huh? Not everyone who buys clothes are an XS, S or M, OK? They would usually have to shop at foreign brands to get clothes that fit them and Brands Outlet Store has offered a cheaper alternative to them without sacrificing quality.

And again, product placement of the clothes on plus sized mannequins not only can grab the attention of well endowed women, but it can also show how the clothes would fit/look like on them. If the mannequins are dressed correctly, it may give these women some extra fashion tips on what clothes to try and match together.

So in a nutshell, affordable deals and nice clothes aside, Brands Outlet Store is really the place to shop for EVERY SINGLE PERSON no matter what size or how deep your pockets are. ;)