Elevate the perceived value of your apparel

For seaside retailers that carry apparel in their assortment, you can elevate the perceived value of your apparel by implementing a few simple strategies.

What is perceived value? Let me explain it in a simple way. If you walk into a store with disheveled piles of product, you’d expect to pay less for the same item than if it was presented nicely. The value of the product is elevated by how it is presented.

Let’s start with folding

I suggest using folding boards or folding paper for consistent folds. Center the logo or design and fold the sleeves in to meet the folding board or paper. Then fold lengthwise into thirds to add weight and height. Stacks of folded T-shirts should ideally be no more than 12 high. Folded apparel should be maintained throughout the day.

Sizing folded apparel

Generally, sizing should be left to right and top to bottom — smallest to the largest. For a single stack of an item, the smallest would be on top and the largest on the bottom of your stack. If you have several stacks of the same item, then you may have the small and medium in a stack on the left, with large and extra-large in the stack on the right.

"Focusing on how your apparel is presented will elevate the perceived value of your product."

Hanging apparel

If a shirt has special details on the sleeves or hem, it may be ideal to hang instead of fold. For sizing hanging apparel, follow the same guide as before. The front of a face-out would have your smallest size and the back of a face-out would be your largest size.

Colorization for apparel

The left-to-right and top-to-bottom theory works here too, but it would also be light to dark. I often place a lighter color product in between two darker colors to present balance.

Focusing on how your apparel is presented will elevate the perceived value of your product.

Michael Hale, CEO of Retail Rehab, transforms retail spaces and helps drive up profits. michael@retail-rehab.com, www.retail-rehab.com