World Famous Shop Displays
Shop displays are the stars of the retail world. The most famous are even featured in newspapers, get photographed by tourists, and attract thousands of potential customers on a daily basis.
Selfridges in London
The grandfather of shop displays, Selfridges was one of the forerunners in the art and science of retail. Its early history has even been dramatised in the British television show ‘The Paradise’, and now Selfridges is the focus of attention every Christmas for its original and inventive window displays. Past dioramas have seen Paddington Bear, London’s famous Black Taxis and even Unicorns grace its windows.
Macy’s in New York
Always popular for its classic Miracle on 34th Street theme, Macy’s is the kind of store that has people literally queuing up outside just to see its Christmas window shop displays. Many a Christmas shopper will have seen its interactive ‘Letters to Santa’ display in 2009, which enabled people to send their own Christmas wish to Santa Clause. A more recent high-tech innovation even allowed customers to activate special machine that made ornaments by simply touching the window. Now that’s engagement!
Galaries Lafayette in Paris
The flagship store on Boulevard Haussmann is a highlight of displays in Paris, with international shoppers regularly stopping to explore the shop displays of this upmarket department store. Recently, Disney has partnered up with Louis Vuitton to produce enchanting displays based around the stories of Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Beauty and the Beast. Displays like these tap into people’s memories of the films and are a source of joy to many.
Fortnum & Masons in London
The only retail store on our list to (almost) focus exclusively on food, Fortnum & Masons provides elaborate examples of shop displays that incorporate tea, coffee, wine, and all kinds of other tasty treats. Last year, these products were framed by colourful and festival images and featured in the newspaper round-ups of the most creative Christmas displays. This just goes to show how much presentation can stimulate word of mouth and entice customers to visit your store.
