20 Retail Signage Ideas for Retail Marketers in 2020
Retail signage serves an important role in company-to-customer interaction – it showcases the defining characteristics of a brand and encourages customers to engage. Coming up with new store signage ideas might be overwhelming. Firstly, they have to be original and creative signage ideas; but also, it has to be effective and serve its purpose.
If you’re on the hunt for serious retail signage inspiration, get your store signage ideas here.
What is Retail Signage?
Signage for retail is a loose term for any visual information presented to the customers of a business. Its goal is to communicate a message, whatever it might be. For example, outdoor retail signage can help customers find the store, while in-store signage helps navigate inside of it via drawn or written instructions.
Here is the basic information about retail store signs and their role in the industry:
- Storefront sign is a representation of the company’s identity, and it works in cooperation with other branding tools.
- Retail store signs should be adequately sized. If signage is too small, customers will certainly walk right past it. This defeats the whole purpose of putting it up.
- It is a powerful communication medium between the company and the customer. It allows the retailer to convey a message directly or indirectly and influence the customer experience.
- Outdoor retail signage plays a big role in customers’ decisions. And the buyer decision process might take mere seconds.
- Signage for retail stores should give sufficient information depending on where it is located. For example, you can add your logo on a polycarbonate protective shield, or if a customer wants to find an item – they should be able to do so via smart in-store signage design.
At Fortuna Signs, we understand that signage can spark instant interest and attract customers into the store. Take inspiration from this article, share your store signage ideas with us, and request a quote. Together, we will come up with signage that will drive your foot traffic and sales up.
Creative Signage Ideas
1. Smart Location
Retail store signs should be located where people can easily find it. Meaning, it should be within the customers’ line of sight. And not only that, it should be visible from a distance, so take that into account when you decide on sizing. Best retail signage is 1-foot lettering for every distance of 10 feet.
It doesn’t take people more than 3.5 to 5 seconds to read and assess a signage board in retail or any other space. Therefore, make retail store signs eye-catching so that these few seconds will be enough to grab their attention and lead them inside the store.
2. Consider the Impact Factor
The impact factor for the best retail signage can be achieved by having an adequate balance between line height and readable distance.
The table below is compiled by the United States Sign Council and shows the end calculations for the impact factor. Since most companies follow these guidelines, you should consider them as well
3. Size Consistent to Scale
A powerful in-store signage design takes into account the whole context. There is no reason to put up massive signage on small spaces and the other way around – tiny letters would hardly be seen on a bigger backdrop.
You can use this typographic scale calculator to determine the harmonious font size.
4. Signage for Retail Can Be Unpredictable
Use your surroundings for your advantage: landscape, light, and architectural features. They can inspire to think of context-appropriate store signage ideas, which will surprise and entertain customers. Step outside the box and make people talk about your signage.
5. Choose Contrasting Colors
Outdoor retail signage should have an effect when people can’t help but notice the sign, which is why you should use sharp contrasts to make it stand out. The best place to start with would be primary colors and different variations of them.
Visit the Outdoor Advertising Association of America shared the ranking of color contrasts from best to least legible, which you can use for storefront sign ideas.
6. Use Walls as Background
Instead of a typical “letter on some backdrop” logo, are there any other store signage ideas? Why not stick the letters of symbols directly on your wall? If you already have a statement wall, which gets enough attention, attach the name of your store for better recognition. Shop for our dimensional letters – our outdoor retail signage will cast shadows on your storefront wall creating intricate new designs as the sun moves across the sky.
7. Create Photo Ops
Signage for retail can go big on social media. If some time ago, you could only count on photographers to take pictures and share them online, now every other person is on the hunt for a good Instagram post. The platforms are growing, and it is getting harder for people to take original photos. Capitalize on it! Paint a captivating accent wall, put up art or crafty installations; in other words, retail signage displays should be worthy of being shared.
Take a look at one of the retail signage examples: this interior design store made a #BiscuitPaintWall that blew up on IG. It contributed to the company’s brand awareness and drew people to the store.
8. Spice Up the Color Palette
Color can increase brand recognition by 80%. Who would want to miss out on that?
When customers look at the signage for retail stores, the first thing they perceive is color. So not only can you make it vibrant and beautiful, but you also make your storefront more recognizable. Lighter shades on darker backdrops are always a good combination, especially in outdoor retail signage.
9. Choose Non-Typical Fonts
There is already too much signage for retail stores that use the same standard typography sets. Be imaginative in your choice, especially in fonts. There is a never-ending array of fonts to choose from, and all you need is to find the right one that best represents your brand. It can be anything from minimalist to sophisticated designs or from modern to retro-looking typography. Some interesting typography can be seen in these retail signage examples
10. Put Up Seasonal Window Retail Signage Displays
Use retail store signs to remind passersby of the spirit of the holiday season. You can play on people’s emotions and communicate a heart-warming message about home, family, and tradition. Holidays are always associated with bigger spending, but you have to beat your competition. It takes an effort to make an emotional connection between holidays and something like clothing store signs.
Fortuna Signs offers a variety of window retail signage displays for seasonal deals as well as year-round sings. We will help you create eye-catching retail store signs that will spark positive emotions in your future customers. Make your storefront more enticing and interact with your audience effectively.
11. Concise Wording
The formula for effective written retail signage is the following:
- Great headline;
- Brief explanation;
- Call to action.
If you take too long to get to the point, people will never read it till the end. Choose words wisely and remember that strictly necessary information has a greater reach. And also, make it catchy like in these retail signage examples
12. Images Can Speak Louder than Words
In some cases, the right image will tell people everything they need to know. Alternatively, if you want to create a mystique about your service, a minimalist symbol will do that perfectly well. Besides, simpler store signage ideas are much easier to digest.
One of such creative store signs is this pretzel shop. Just a quick glance will inform customers that they can get a filling snack at this location. Take it into account as one of the smart storefront sign ideas
13. Angles Matter
In terms of outdoor retail signage, align it to customers’ movement at a 45 to 90-degree angle. In other words, if you have a static image, angle the retail signage board downwards. This will make it more noticeable, and passersby could glance up at it.
14. Include QRs in Retail Signage
You can increase the chances of your website being visited with a QR code. If your retail signage is located at a height where people can scan it, spare them a few seconds of typing. Look at these retail signage examples with QR
15. Transform Cars into Moving Ads
Signage for retail companies is not limited to the store location – let people notice it driving all around the city. This is an ultimate outdoor retail signage. They are as quick to install as they are to remove, so it is not a big investment. These ads are also an ideal bumper-sticker alternative if you want something smaller.
Order Fortuna Signs car wraps to transform your storefront sign ideas into something new. We will help you find the right balance of color, lettering, symbols, and other elements that make up incredible retail store signs. We work quickly and effectively, and our clients’ success is always a priority.
16. Experiment with Mediums
Who says that storefront sign ideas only belong on a wall? One of the best mediums that come to mind is mats. You will be surprised by how much versatility they offer. Use them to welcome your guests, help them navigate the surroundings, and say an important message. Take a look at the following in-store signage
17. Avoid Chaos
You might be tempted to fit everything in one sign, which makes it harder to perceive. Value your retail signage space and equally value your customers’ time. Too much movement, color, lettering, details, or too much of anything will clutter retail store signs and decrease audience engagement. In these instances, clarity is key. See these delicate retail signage examples
18. When Appropriate, Go Big
Even if this advice seems at odds with the last point, they are not mutually exclusive. By “going big,” we mean creating a memorable, impressive experience with outdoor retail signage. The good news is that you can intensify anything – doors, walls, windows, pavement, etc. If you create big, eye-catching retail signage displays, you show your customers that checking out this unique store is worth their time.
19. Change It Up
If you recreate any of the store signage ideas and implement the tips mentioned above, it might only work for a limited time. The easiest thing to change from time to time is window retail signage displays. They are easily replaced without a big financial impact. If you redesign your store, you might as well change the retail signage to create a consistent arrangement.
20. The Best Retail Signage Is Useful
While having beautiful signage helps, remember that sometimes their bigger goal is to inform your customers. It can be in-store signage for a departmental, directional, organizational, or wayfinding purpose. No one wants to spend ages deciphering something like clothing store signs.
Taking Charge of Your Own Signage
Do you need any help with innovative store signage ideas? Fortuna Signs will not only offer you a great idea but will execute the job quickly and with high quality. Contact our specialists to learn more about our services and move forward with your creative store signs. Whether it is in-store signage, graphics, printing, displays, we have you covered.
