From Contemporary to Classic: Retail Commercial Signs that Make Your Storefront Shine

• No matter who your audience is, make sure your signage reflects your store’s style.
• Ensure you get maximum visibility at your business location with the right size, placement, and lighting of your signs.
• For signs that will truly shine, make sure you choose a signage company that can give you the customization you’re looking for.

• ― Know Your Brand, Find Your Audience
• ― Signs that Align: How to Create Signage that Attracts Your Target Audience
• ― Find Your Branding Focus with Easy Signs

• High-End Stores

  Customers who value quality and timeless fashion will be drawn to stores offering premium products and classic styles that remain in vogue. These shoppers often prioritize craftsmanship, luxury, and sophistication in their clothing choices.

• Trend-Setting Stores

  Stores with contemporary styles attract younger, fashion-forward shoppers who are always looking for the latest trends. These customers enjoy experimenting with new looks and prefer modern, edgy fashion, often at accessible price points.

• Children’s Stores

  Families, particularly parents and guardians, seek out stores offering fun, bright, and playful clothing for children. They value durability and practicality, ensuring the garments can withstand active play and frequent washing while still looking stylish.

• Party Apparel Stores

  Individuals searching for elegant clothing for special occasions, such as weddings, parties, and seasonal events, will gravitate toward stores with glamorous, stand-out attire that fits the celebratory nature of their events.

• Vintage Stores

  Shoppers who appreciate styles from past eras are drawn to vintage stores for their unique, high-quality items with nostalgic appeal. These customers enjoy finding distinctive pieces that are not easily available in contemporary stores.

• Discount Stores

  Budget-conscious shoppers frequent discount stores in search of affordable clothing options, including second-hand and discounted items. These customers prioritize value for money and appreciate the opportunity to find quality items at lower prices.

High-End Stores:

For high-end stores, a business sign should exude luxury and sophistication to appeal to customers who value quality and timeless fashion.

Consider the following:

• Elegant Fonts: Choose sophisticated and classic fonts that convey a sense of refinement and elegance. Avoid overly trendy or playful fonts that might detract from the upscale image.
• Sophisticated Color Schemes: Opt for a color palette that reflects luxury, such as black, gold, silver, or deep jewel tones. These colors evoke a sense of exclusivity and high quality.
• Premium Materials: Use high-quality materials like acrylic, high gloss laminated, or metal for your signage. These materials not only look elegant, but also suggest durability and attention to detail.
• Subtle Lighting: Incorporate understated, high-end lighting to enhance the overall look of your signage. Soft, ambient lighting can create an inviting and luxurious atmosphere that attracts high-end shoppers.
• Minimalist Design: Keep the design clean and uncluttered. A minimalist approach with well-spaced elements and balanced proportions can emphasize the sophistication of your brand.

Trend-Setting Stores:

Stores that are focused on the latest styles should use bold, modern designs to attract younger, fashion-forward shoppers.

Incorporate these characteristics into your signage:

• Vibrant Colors: Use bright, eye-catching colors that stand out and reflect the energy and dynamism of contemporary fashion. Think bright shades, bold primary colors, and trendy pastels.
• Sleek Materials: Choose modern materials like acrylic, metal, and reflective lights. These materials can add a contemporary edge to your signage and resonate with a younger demographic.
• Bold Fonts: Opt for clean, modern fonts that are easy to read and make a strong statement. Avoid overly intricate or traditional fonts that might not align with a trend-setting vibe.
• Dynamic Design Elements: Incorporate geometric shapes, abstract patterns, and innovative design elements that reflect the latest trends. Consider the use of digital displays or animated signage to add a dynamic touch.

Children’s Stores:

For children’s stores, signage should be bright, playful, and inviting to appeal to both kids and their parents.

Use some of these elements in your sign design:

• Cheerful Colors: Incorporate vibrant, happy colors like bright reds, blues, yellows, and greens to create a fun and lively atmosphere that captures children’s attention.
• Playful Fonts: Choose whimsical, easy-to-read fonts that convey a sense of fun and excitement. Avoid overly formal or intricate fonts that might not resonate with kids.
• Engaging Graphics: Use playful images, illustrations, and characters that children love. Incorporate elements like balloons, animals, or popular cartoon figures to make the signage more appealing.
• Interactive Elements: Consider adding interactive components to your signs, such as moving parts, touch screens, or areas where kids can engage directly with the signage. This can enhance the shopping experience and keep children entertained.
• Fun Shapes: Use unconventional sign shapes, such as stars, clouds, or animals, to add an extra layer of playfulness and interest.

Party Apparel Stores:

Signage for party apparel stores should convey elegance and glamor to attract customers seeking clothing for special occasions.

Think about using some sophisticated features like these:

• Elegant Fonts: Select classic, refined fonts that exude sophistication and luxury. Avoid playful or overly casual fonts that don’t align with the formal nature of special occasion attire.
• Glamorous Color Schemes: Use luxurious colors such as gold, silver, deep purples, and rich blacks. These colors can create a sense of elegance and exclusivity, perfect for attracting those looking for event wear.
• High-Quality Materials: Utilize premium materials like acrylic, high gloss laminated, or metal. These materials not only look glamorous but also signal high quality and attention to detail.
• Luxurious Lighting: Incorporate elegant lighting solutions, such as chandeliers or soft spotlights, to highlight your signage and create a glamorous atmosphere. Proper illumination can make your signs stand out, especially in low light.
• Embellishments: Consider adding decorative elements such as metallic accents, crystals, or ornate frames to give your signage an extra touch of elegance and sophistication.

Vintage Stores

Vintage stores should use signage that reflects the charm and nostalgia of past eras to attract customers who appreciate unique, high-quality vintage items.

Your signage can help convey this by implementing some of the following features:

• Vintage-Inspired Fonts: Choose fonts that evoke a sense of history and nostalgia, such as serif fonts or those that mimic old handwritten scripts. These fonts can give your signs an authentic vintage feel.
• Retro Color Schemes: Use color palettes that are reminiscent of specific eras. For example, pastel tones for a 1950s vibe, bold primary colors for a 1960s look, or earth tones for a 1970s aesthetic. These colors can instantly transport customers to a different time period.

• Distressed and Weathered Materials: Incorporate materials that have a worn or aged look, such as distressed wood, rusted metal, or weathered paint. These materials can add authenticity and charm to your signage, making it feel like a genuine piece of history.
• Classic Imagery and Graphics: Use graphics and images that are iconic of past decades. This might include vintage illustrations, old advertisements, or retro patterns. These visuals can help set the mood and attract customers who are drawn to nostalgic elements.
• Storytelling Elements: Integrate elements that tell a story about the items you sell or the era they represent. This could include historical facts, the origins of specific styles, or interesting tidbits about the time period. Storytelling can create a deeper connection with customers who appreciate the history and uniqueness of vintage items.

Discount Stores:

For discount stores, signage should be clear, straightforward, and attention-grabbing to attract budget-conscious shoppers.

Discount store signage should focus on things like:

• Bold, Readable Fonts: Use large, easy-to-read fonts that make it simple for customers to quickly understand your message. Avoid intricate or overly stylized fonts that might be hard to read.

• Bright Colors: Incorporate bright, vibrant colors such as red, yellow, and orange that grab attention and convey a sense of urgency and value. These colors are effective in drawing the eye and signaling deals and discounts.
• Clear Messaging: Keep the text concise and to the point. Highlight key information like discounts, sales, and special offers prominently. Use phrases like “Save Now,” “Big Sale,” and “Discounts Inside” to attract shoppers.
• Prominent Price Tags: Emphasize the affordability of your products by showcasing prices directly on the signage. This transparency appeals to budget-conscious shoppers who are looking for the best deals.
• Directional Signage: Use clear wayfinding signs to guide customers to different sections of your store, such as clearance areas, sale racks, and discount bins. This improves the shopping experience and makes it easier for customers to find bargains.