Visual Merchandising
Portfolio
Natalie Neal
Trainers:
Amber Chiles, Jordan Couture,
Elizabeth George, & Natalie Neal
Mission Statement
To provide a realistic, stimulating
running environment for Austin’s
active women through licensed
trainers, a simulated running track
and sustainable products.
Brand Image
Run wild is a store for Austin’s active women. The
store will provide a realistic running environment
with a simulated running track, licensed trainers, the
best athletic apparel and accessories and sustainable
atmosphere, which will inspire all the clients to run
their best. The store will carry a variety of the finest
running shoes, apparel and accessories– everything
the client will need– to excite the active women of
Austin. All Run Wild’s employees will be licensed
trainers ready and waiting to walk the clients through
every step of the active-wear buying process. From
shoe fittings– to be tested on the simulated track– to
what type of absorbent wear is best for the client, and
lastly, what accessories will be needed to make their
running experience most enjoyable. Run Wild will
excite the active women of Austin to get out and run
wild through the city with their new active gear and
the sustainable environment provided by the store.
1
2
8
7
Heat? No Problem,
compression wear
maintains body
temperature &
allows for
breathability
3
6
9
5
Rain? No problem,
compression wear is
moisture wicking!
Compress to De-Stress
Compression
wear is shaped
to the body to
enhance
performance
10
4
Team Trainers
Description
1. The back drop will be a popular running trail with a look into
the Austin skyline.
2. This represents the Run Wild shoe tread logo that will be hung in
the window.
3. The rain cloud helps display the wicking, promotional function
of the compression active wear.
4. The Trainers signage will be displayed as road sign that would be
found on a running trail.
5. A speech bubble used to promote the wicking capability of
compression wear.
6. Represents a running mannequin to best display the active wear.
The mannequin will be wearing a compression sports top and
compression running pants.
7. A speech bubble that will be hung to promote the breathability
of the compression wear.
8. The sun that will be hung to help display the need for
breathability in active wear.
9. This is the conversational signage that will be displayed by the
running trail in the form of a road sign.
10. The last speech bubble, which describes the form-fitting benefit
of compression wear.
Lighting Floor Plan
Legend:
= dome Lighting
= Track Lighting
Natural Lighting
Natural Lighting
Trend Report
Technology mixed with functionality mixed with street fashion is what Run Wild’s Spring 2012 active wear
trend is all about. According to the knitting industry, this multi-functional active wear trend is referred to as
“dynamic versatility” among fashion professionals, or as compression wear in laymen’s terms (Haemek, 2010).
What is the trend about?
According to knitting industry professional, Migdal Haemek (2010), “The streetwise appeal of activewear
demands fabrics and textures which reinforce strength and resistance while combining breathability and moisture
management” (“Knitting Industry,” 2010, ¶ 18).
The technology and functionality of compression wear has been around since the invention of Spanx®;
however has not been mixed, until now, with the active wear industry as a fashionable garment.
How do you think this is appropriate for your target market and store?
The basic role of compression garments for the active consumer consist of tight-fitting clothing that conforms
to their body shape, performance enhancing technology and the moisture wicking functions that maintain a bodies
natural temperature while working out (“Epic Self,” 2009).
Will the trend enhance your store image and how?
The last piece to the dynamic versatility trend puzzle is all about street fashion and staying current with the
colors of each season. For Spring 2012 the color trend is referred to as “colorful flexibility,” or the use of daring
color (Haemek, 2010). The use of bright, neon colors will showcase the new trend well and draw Run Wild’s
consumer into the store.
What categories of merchandise will carry the trend items?
Run Wild will carry an array of compression active wear for Spring 2012. For example, anatomically
structured running leggings, tanks, performance jackets, and sports bras. All of course, with “colorful flexibility”
considered (“Epic Self,” 2009).
References
Active by old navy. (2011). Retrieved from
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=70716
Haemek, M. (2010, June 14). Knitting industry news: nilit bodyfashion &
activewear trends-spring-summer 2011-2012. Retrieved from
http://www.knittingindustry.com/articles/920.php
Spotlight: compression wear-epic self. (2009, July 23). Retrieved from
http://epicself.com/move/spotlight-compression-active-wear/
World's best body shaping active wear-how it works. (2008). Retrieved from
http://www.marenaeveryday.com/whyitworks.html
Windows
Window 1
Window 2
Learning Outcomes
Through this course I gained knowledge
and an understanding of how to visually
display merchandise both in windows and
throughout a store. I now feel comfortable
to plan, design, and install displays to
enhance a store’s atmospherics from the
inside out. As a member of the trainers
team, I was able to gain insight to the
importance of store layout, space allocation,
and setting/ maximizing a budget to better
the overall merchandise presentation of a
store and company.