Guide to Acrylic POS Displays for Eyeglass Retailers

Introduction to Acrylic POS Displays

Acrylic point of sale (POS) displays have become an increasingly popular merchandising tool for retailers. Made from acrylic plastic, these clear displays allow customers to easily view products while providing an elegant and modern look. For eyewear retailers specifically, acrylic POS displays are ideal for showcasing eyeglasses and sunglasses.

This article will provide an in-depth guide on acrylic POS displays for eyeglass retailers. We'll cover the benefits of using acrylic displays, how to design and create custom acrylic displays, merchandising tips, and care recommendations. By the end, you'll have the information needed to determine if acrylic POS displays are right for your retail store.

Benefits of Acrylic POS Displays

There are many advantages that make acrylic an ideal material for point of sale displays in eyeglass stores:

• Crystal clear transparency - Acrylic allows for maximum product visibility. Customers can clearly see the frames and lenses of the eyeglasses on display.
• Lightweight - Acrylic is half the weight of glass making displays easier to move and rearrange.
• Durability - 10 times more impact resistant than glass, acrylic withstands bumps and drops.
• Customizable - Acrylic can be laser cut, bent, and fabricated into unique shapes and designs.
• UV resistance - Acrylic resists yellowing from sun exposure better than other clear plastics.
• Elegant appearance - The crystal clarity of acrylic gives displays a clean, high-end look.

By utilizing acrylic POS displays, retailers can showcase their eyewear selection in an attractive manner while making it easy for customers to self-serve and visually inspect the products. The versatility and durability of acrylic also allows for endless options when designing custom display layouts and configurations.

Designing Acrylic POS Displays

The first step in utilizing acrylic POS displays is to design the layout and structure of the display. Key factors to consider include:

• Products to display - Will the display feature separate zones for eyeglasses, sunglasses, or other eyewear products? Determine what products will be merchandised together.
• Capacity - How many pairs of glasses need to be displayed? Calculate the overall capacity for the display.
• Space allocation - Measure the space where the display will be placed. Make sure to allow room for customers to interact with the products.
• Traffic flow - Map out the customer journey and points of interaction with the display.
• Aesthetics - Decide the overall look and feel. Modern, classic, bold colors etc.

It’s important to map out these key details prior to deciding on the final acrylic display design. Retailers may choose to work with a manufacturer or fabricator to create a custom acrylic display tailored specifically to their store's needs. Or, there are ready-made acrylic POS display options available for simpler plug-and-play implementations.

Custom Acrylic Displays

For retailers wanting a completely unique acrylic POS display, custom fabrication provides limitless options. Some ideas to consider:

• Tiered displays - Multiple acrylic shelves or risers to showcase products at different heights.
• Waterfall displays - Angled shelves to gravity feed products to the front as products sell.
• Freestanding displays - Custom shapes and footprints to fit specific spaces in the store.
• Lighted displays - LED lights along the edges or within the acrylic to illuminate products.
• Branding - Logos, images, or text etched directly into the acrylic.

A major benefit of custom acrylic displays is the ability to create unique designs tailored specifically for showcasing eyewear products. The modular nature of acrylic also allows retailers to rearrange components and update the overall look of the display easily over time.

Ready-Made Acrylic Displays

For retailers wanting simpler out-of-the-box acrylic POS display solutions, there are many ready-made options:

• Counter displays - Small footprint displays for checkout counters.
• Floor displays - Freestanding floor display cases and pedestals.
• Wall mounts - Wall mounted shelves or display cases.
• Frame stands - Clear acrylic stands and risers for individual pairs of eyeglasses.
• Sunglass displays - Displays with slots, rails, or arms specifically for showcasing sunglasses.

These ready-made acrylic options allow retailers to quickly implement displays into their stores. The disadvantage compared to custom displays is less flexibility to customize dimensions and layouts.

Merchandising Tips

Proper merchandising is key to maximizing sales with acrylic POS displays. Here are some best practices:

• Group by style or brand - Merchandise similar styles or brands together to simplify selection for customers.
• Promote new arrivals - Place new styles front and center to quickly feature new inventory.
• Meet customer eyeline - Position trending or high margin products at eye level.
• Follow the customer path - Direct customer flow from entry points towards key areas of the display.
• Use risers - Elevate select products using acrylic risers for enhanced visibility.
• Fill in holes - Replace sold inventory promptly to keep displays looking full.

By regularly reviewing product placement and making adjustments, retailers can optimize their acrylic displays to increase sales and conversion rates.

Signage and Branding

Using signage and branding elements on and around acrylic displays helps communicate important information and reinforce branding:

• Product information - Use signage to highlight specifications like lens material, special coatings, etc.
• Pricing - Display pricing information for key products or frames.
• Brand logos - Apply brand decals and logos on the acrylic to identify brand zones.
• Category labels - Use signage to label categories like “New Arrivals” or “Bestsellers” to assist customers.

Clean, clear acrylic displays provide the ideal backdrop for branded elements. Strategically placed signage helps customers self-navigate while also projecting brand image.

Cleaning and Care

While acrylic is durable, proper care is still needed to keep acrylic POS displays looking pristine. Here are some care tips:

• Use microfiber cloths - Microfiber cloths cleanly remove fingerprints and dust without scratching.
• Clean with acrylic polish - Regularly polish acrylic displays with plastic polish/cleaner formulated for acrylic.
• Avoid harsh chemicals - Do not use abrasive cleaners, alcohol, or ammonia-based chemicals.
• Remove scratches - Use a fine abrasive polish to remove minor scratches on the acrylic surface.
• Never use paper products - Paper towels and tissues can scratch the acrylic.

With proper cleaning methods, retailers can keep their acrylic displays looking like new for years. Be sure to train staff on careful dusting and cleaning procedures.

Conclusion

Installing acrylic POS displays is an impactful way for eyeglass retailers to modernize their stores, better showcase products, and enhance the customer experience. From custom fabricated designs to ready-made display solutions, there are many options at different investment levels.

By carefully planning the layout, regularly optimizing merchandising, and properly caring for displays, retailers can maximize their return on investment from acrylic POS displays. The crystal clarity and versatility of acrylic provides eyewear brands an effective medium for engaging customers and driving sales.

FAQs

How durable are acrylic displays?

Acrylic is extremely durable. It is 10 times more impact resistant than glass and resists scratches better than other clear plastics. Acrylic stands up well to bumps and drops, making it ideal for retail store use.

What are some creative ways to use acrylic displays?

Some creative acrylic display ideas are using LED lights to illuminate the products, incorporating waterfalls or tiered shelves for a visually striking look, etching custom logos and branding directly into the acrylic, and designing unique freestanding display shapes and footprints.

How do you clean acrylic POS displays?

Use microfiber cloths instead of paper products to avoid scratches. Clean displays regularly with plastic polish and cleaner formulated specifically for acrylic. Avoid using harsh chemicals like alcohol or ammonia that can damage the surface.

Should I buy ready-made or custom acrylic displays?

Ready-made acrylic displays offer simplicity and faster implementation while custom displays allow for maximum flexibility to accommodate the exact products and layout you want. Custom displays are ideal for retailers wanting a fully tailored solution.

What are the benefits of acrylic displays?

Benefits include crystal clear transparency to showcase products, lightweight and durable material, enhanced aesthetics, ability to etch branding and designs directly into the acrylic, and versatility to create customized configurations and layouts.