No More Plastic Risers (insert Joan Crawford Voice)

Last Friday's IG post was about my rule of no plastic risers on my retailers floors. 
Harsh?
Maybe?
But here is the thing...Those crappy little plastic things have a job to do. However, 99% of the retailers that use them, use them without knowing how to REALLY use them. 
Yes, they create. height. But when I see them on retailer’s floors, most of the time what 's holding up is smaller than the riser itself, only showcasing the riser.

I know you know what I am talking about. Then what happens is someone in the store thinks everything needs to be on these little clear bastards and next thing you know, literally everything is on a riser and guess what, all you still see is the clear plastic riser. Merchandising is all about storytelling. Anthropologie is brilliant at storytelling, that's why we all love to shop there for inspiration. Clear plastic risers are a big giant non-negotiable at Anthro. The risers are all part of the storytelling. Here is your challenge, go out on to your sales floor. Look at where you are using these (you know you are so don’t act like you aren't) Is it the tabletop area? Is it kitchen tools? Is it in personal care? 
Now think about what everyday items could you raise this merchandise with that will help tell a story, give it a lifestyle feeling?

Garden areas can use pavers, clay pots turned upside down, bricks and cut pieces of 2x4

Kitchen areas can use canned goods with the label taken off, boxes of interesting pasta, old crates, old cookbooks from salvation army, old cookbooks that are not selling in your store.

Personal care and bath departments can use glass bricks, clear jars filled with cotton balls turned upside down, small baskets painted white.

Gift and home can use old books with the sleeve taken off (tip, show the pages not the book title), bricks and pavers, cutting boards, wood slices, old crates.

So many options and all are cost effective and all help tell a story! 

Cheers,

M

CANISTERS

CARDBOARD INDUSTRIAL BINS FOR LARGE SCALE RISERS

BOOKS

OLD BOOKS OR BOOKS FROM THRIFT SHOPS COLORED OUT

SCALE

FOUND OBJECTS LIKE OLD SCALES

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