Case Study: StoreFrontView

The objective in design behind retail storefronts is too ultimately draw customers into the store. It also helps in creating a strong brand for the retail company. Stores try to go for something that is eye-catching and sometimes things that are thought provoking to put in the window to stop those walking past. In a matter of seconds a store display should grab ones attention when walking. It has to be appealing. Not only is what is placed in the window important but lighting also plays a major part in an effective window display. It is a good marketing strategy to have because light if used correctly will place emphasis on the display causing people who walk past to stop and look at the merchandise. Window displays gives the store a sense of identity as well as advertisement. It is the first impression a customer has of the store itself. It will determine whether or not a customer will go in the store or not. Window displays allow for the merchandise to be a focal point.


Chico’s is a store that sells sophisticated, casual to dressy clothing that targets women ranging from early 30’s to late 50’s. Even the mannequins look older targeting for the older demographic. What really drew me to their window display was this specific window, which has a large ad of a woman in a heavily designed pair of jeans, and on the glass pane it says A Jean Come True, which is an important part of their marketing strategy. Because a lot of times women who fit their specific demographic at those ages sometimes have a hard time finding that perfect pair of jeans…honestly I thin a lot of women all ages have that problem but maybe not as much. It was a good marketing tool. It made me interested to see if those jeans are really what they say they are.


This is a display from Soma Intimates, which is a part of Chico’s. Within this display alone I can see that these intimate apparel fit women of all shapes and sizes. Which is a good factor to know because there are 80% of women who are wearing the wrong bra size. With this particular store they say it only takes 10 min. for you to get fitted for a bra and find the perfect one. They are available in sizes 32A and 42DDD. This display is very simple and gets its point across.






With a store like White House Black Market having such a well-known name for it, it really doesn’t need much of a dramatic eye-catcher of a display. It is such a popular store to many that by word of mouth it is seen as a good store to shop in. Especially when celebrities wear clothing from the store it creates a brand and a name for itself. For example when Michelle Obama went on The View and said she had gotten the dress from White Black Market. The dress became very popular. The display of this particular one is very simple yet versatile.



Is a very unique store. It is powered by wind energy. Just from the name itself I get a feeling of the outdoors and nature. It makes use of two natural materials stone and wood. The display shows an effort towards invoking a feeling of preparation for the fall. It is simple in that it is an attention grabber in a subtle way where the entrance to the store will further your desire in wanting to take a look inside the store.







REI is a store for the needs of outdoor adventure. From a distance you can see the front structure protruding from the front façade of the store. When you see it you know that it is REI. This store is successful in creating a recognizable brand for itself as well as portraying the theme throughout. I really liked the door handles. It made me think that there was careful consideration of how everything would work to imply the theme.









J. Crew is very clear-cut and straight to the point. There is evidence suggesting that there is minimal license for creativity within the display. It is a clear view of the clothes itself not having a background that would be a distraction. It is a “blank canvas”. I didn’t feel that the ripped piece of paper revealing merchandise behind it that is “breaking through”, was effective enough. Maybe if the rip was a little cleaner and seemed more deliberate


Ann Taylor is another store similar to Chicos. I was actually a little disappointed by their display. It didn’t seem very interesting to me. The clothes were cute but the display was too plain. And one of the hanging boxes was crooked.






Swoozie’s is a very fun store. The choice in signage definitely goes with the stores uniqueness. The choice in color gives a playful, fun mood. They are very eco- friendly as well. They now offer paper that is 100% recycled 30% post- consumer waste. Their entertainment ware is from recycled material.




I really liked the signage and the door design. It made me really think of cooking. Especially seeing the Sign on the door about the Emeril cooking utensils made me want to go in…but of course it was clos