At the May Accessories Resource Team conference, attendees took part in Naples Rejuvenated, an exercise working with three local stores to rework their displays and develop a marketing plan for each.

The participating stores were Peach Tree Designs, BJ Kileys at Home and Garden District.

Retail expert and consultant Barbara Crowhurst kicked off the session with her presentation Retail Makeover — Store Design and Product Placement. In this session, Crowhurst went over the importance of retail store design, products and product placement, and how these impact sales. She went on to oversee the Naples Rejuvenated activity.

Here's the take on the whole event, as seen by Stacie Carroll, manager of Peach Tree Designs.

When I was first approached to participate, I was very intrigued and curious. So, I conducted my own research by contacting the Charleston, S.C., retailers who participated in last year's conference, and I got a mixed review. When I called Sharon Davis to ask some questions and get her insight, she encouraged me to attend the conference as well as the marketing groups' presentations following Friday afternoon's workshop, something the Charleston retailers did not do. With that, we offered our space.

BEFORE

Garden District's wall was transformed by a simple rearrangement of products from other locations in the store, making an impactful and colorful statement to greet customers.

When all was said and done, my staff and I were more than pleasantly surprised, we were stunned! I like to think we do a great job at putting together vignettes, but it's amazing what a fresh eye can bring.

They constructed a two-sided display in the middle of the room by using one of my bamboo wall screens as a divider, something I would have never thought to do. One of the displays in the window was color-coordinated using some of my raw, natural wood furniture and mirrors with sea blue and white accents. A really fresh, clean approach and perfect for our coastal area.

Back at the conference, I attended the marketing team's presentation, and was again pleasantly surprised. They did a fantastic job of analyzing areas of my business that could use improvement and offering ideas that I could implement to increase sales. We've been lucky to have a steady growth over the years, but with these economic times you really need to think outside of the box. After the conference, they were kind enough to e-mail me the full presentation.

Overall, I was extremely pleased with the whole experience. Everyone I met was enthusiastic, generous and full of new ideas. I basically received a free consultation from industry insiders and professionals, all for a few hours of fun chaos in a corner of my store during my off-season. I would do it again in a heartbeat!

BEFORE

Crowhurst also worked with the marketing teams as they developed their strategic plans for each store. "The marketing plan — I don't know that you could put a price on it," she said. "They were using the concepts that I had shared with them and even some of the language that I use... I consider myself part of the ART family.

At Peach Tree Designs, the merchandising team created a two-sided display by using a bamboo wall screen. The design is fresh and maximizes the store's floor space.

For more on Crowhurst and her Retail Makeover ideas, see the August issue of Home Accents Today.