Display Ideas
Bringing style and color to your display table increases appeal to potential customers coming by – which of course results in increased sales. The ideas below focus on baked good items but can be readily adapted to include produce, eggs and whatever other farm items you might be also selling.
Farmstead Style Display
Give your customers the rustic and romantic image they have of farm living, such as a checkered tablecloth. Clean and new stock items you can inexpensively find at the local feed store make great props such as a galvanized bucket or chicken feeder.
Bohemian Style Display
A bright, patterned tablecloth set the stage for a more artistic, creative vibe. Note that height plays an important role in table display appeal. Cake stands and, in the center, an upside-down glass vase with a colorful plate on top make an easy and inexpensive appealing riser.
Modern Style Display
Sleek and black make up a modern display theme, complete with a black sequined table runner down the middle to add sparkle. Metal display items add to the modern vibe and also are easy/non-breakable to transport to market.
Cheerful Style Display
The cheerful theme can recycle some of the farmstead display items such as wooden crates for height and add a whimsical tone. This can be a fun display for early spring and indoor winter markets needing a color boost.
How To Develop Your Display
When presenting your baked goods for display it is important your items are showcased as professionally as possible. You may have only a few seconds as each shopper strolls by, so catching their eye with a clean, organized, and well-maintained display and packaging increases their chances of pausing to see more. You might be one of many booths at the market – and everyone probably has a tent and tables with their goods on display. But how will you stand out?
Begin Designing Your Display:
Preparation is key to having a display that is put-together and unique. Well before your first market you should have a general vision of what it will look like. This idea may change a bit (and mostly likely will change a few times), but having a good vision helps narrow down the uncertainty. When you’re out and about and come across the “perfect” component to your display you will know it!
The first thing to consider is the message you want to convey to your potential customers. This can match your personality or go another direction completely. As you are determining what this message could be, think of what you like. Do you like a clean and simple look? Are you more playful? Do you like the farmstead style?
- Step 1 – My theme is a _____________________________________________ style.
Now that you have a general idea of your style, it’s time to dig in a bit more. Write down any words or phrases that remind you of that particular style. Anything goes! And if you get stuck, pull out the thesaurus. Once you have a good list of words or phrases, take a few moments to reassess. Are you happy with this direction? Keep this list readily available – you will definitely use it again.
- Step 2 – Words & phrases that remind me of my style:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Having a clear style direction (as well as a list of descriptive words or phrases) gives you a much better vision of what you are looking for. It’s also time to start shopping! The first item on your list should be the exact same tablecloth for each table. Be sure to know your table dimensions so that your table cloth is large enough to cover your table. This is the piece that seems so simple (and is so often overlooked), but pulls everything together. This is the piece that will help create your personal style. As you are shopping for a tablecloth, remember the list of words and phrases around your personal style. Also, be sure to pick out something that you like the colors of.
- Step 3 – TASK: Get a tablecloth
Once you have a tablecloth that you love, pick out the top colors in it. This may affect future purchases as you continue designing your display.
- Step 4 – Tablecloth Top Colors:
___________________________________________
Next, it’s time to think big picture. You will want to incorporate several key aspects to your display, which will avoid just having a pile of stuff on your table. The next items you purchase will organize and display your baked goods (baskets, platters, bins, tiered displays, etc.). Whether you are visiting antique stores, thrift shops, or even online – keep an eye out for things to incorporate into your display. Always feel free return to your style descriptor list.
As you are shopping, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Height – Don’t forget about UP. When you incorporate pieces that give height to your display it increases visibility to those passing by. But, it also gives you more room to display your items.
- Space Utilization – Finding ways to best utilize all space is crucial in your display design. Something as simple as a raised back portion of your table, or a free-standing basket rack adds to your display while also giving you more space for your goods.
- Think efficient – Packing, setting up, and tearing down for market is a lot of work. Whenever possible, think of ways to cut down on things like storage space. Using bins as the back raised row of your display also helps with transport as the bins can be used to transport items to market. Finding collapsible racks or stands helps save room when transporting.
- Your goods – As you are looking for these items, keep in mind the particular kinds of things you will have on display. If you have lots of breads make sure you have larger containers. Are your items smaller? Think of how they can be arranged so nothing is overlooked by a shopper. And remember, everything doesn’t have to be the same. Mix up your basic colors, metallic items, textures…anything to bring variety and keep people intrigued.
As you acquire these items, mock up your table. Arrange…rearrange…and assess what you are missing. Take photos so when you randomly see something that might work you can compare it with what you already have in your setup.
- Step 5 – TASK: Find items to use for display of goods
One aspect that your customers will appreciate is the ability to easily view your prices. Many a sales opportunity is missed when a shopper finds it difficult to read (or even find) prices of items. Chalkboard lists are great and bring an authentic experience, but with a variety of items available it is crucial to also have prices shown next to products. It is also important to note quantity or amounts – customers may decide to skip a purchase if signage isn’t clear and to the point. Find a way to include prices that flow with your display, rather than detract. This could be as simple as price cards and clothespins, or the use of place card holders. Handwritten, in this case, works – just be sure the penmanship is neat, clean, and legible.
- Step 6 – TASK: Create Pricing Display Method
Congratulations, you have a market table design! Now, it’s time to stock your table with your delicious treats! Check out the Packaging Page for more ideas and information on tying it all together.