Visual Merchandising for Retail Spaces
- Level(s) of Study: Short course; Professional
- Course Fee:
Available at no cost to eligible individuals (see criteria below).
- Start Date(s): New dates to be confirmed
- Duration: New dates to be confirmed
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Location: Kirkby-in-Ashfield
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Please note: This course is delivered through the Enterprising Ashfield project, which is funded by the Government's Towns Fund. Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is pleased to offer free (fully funded) places on this course to support individuals and employees of businesses that are based in the towns of Kirkby-in-Ashfield and Sutton-in-Ashfield.
The standard fee would normally be £495.
Visual Merchandising is an effective way to maximise your retail product displays, both in-store and in window displays, to improve your store layout, endorse your brand message and generate sales.
This course will provide you with an insight into the key roles and responsibilities of a visual merchandiser and will show you how to align your products to the retail calendar.
This course is ideal for anyone interested in finding out what it takes to be a visual merchandiser, and equally useful for retail owners and employees who’d like to learn to create their own successful displays and discover the fundamentals of visual merchandising.
With a limited number of places on the course, you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue developing your skills at home or work.
Here's what our previous attendees said:
"I wanted to learn more about visual merchandising so I could increase sales and footfall to raise more money for our charity shop. The course has taught me to think outside the box. The best part was going out to other stores and getting real hands on experience. The whole experience has been amazing, I have learnt so much and enjoyed meeting everyone else on the course." Fiona Asbury, The Children's Society
"Fab course, fab tutor. Very enjoyable and informative. I thought it would be useful to do the course for work and give me more job satisfaction and options. I've got lots of useful information on layout designs and got to work as a team with other stores in Ashfield." Laura Robinson, Flowers by Lesley
"A fabulous learning experience with a very engaging tutor. I work with my daughter in her shop and my window dressing skills needed improving. I've learnt to simplify my displays and that less is more, learnt better folding techniques for garments and product placement. I enjoyed the practical elements of the course, when all my senses are engaged and everything made sense and fell into place." Angela Evans, Ninos Y Ninas
What you’ll study
On this course you’ll learn the techniques used in the industry to capture your audience’s attention and make you stand out from your competitors including:
- how to use lighting effectively to create a certain mood and dramatic displays
- creating compelling displays and using signage successfully
- how to style and dress mannequins and utilising other props and fixtures
- ensuring your displays relate to your brand identity and create positive customer experiences
- till point displays with interest and linked products to encourage further purchases
- creating seasonal displays focused on the retail calendar.
You’ll analyse the importance of shop floor plans and utilising the fixtures to improve your store layout and customer flow through the space.
You’ll create your own visual merchandising calendar for a whole year, highlighting specific events within the retail calendar so that you can maximise planning and themes for displays.
During this course you will:
- learn how to develop flat lays, floorplans, in-store merchandising, and window displays
- analyse shop floor plans looking at successful designs used in the industry
- research current trends in retail merchandising
- showcase how products can be used to display themes and trends
- create your own retail calendar for the next 12 months to help you maximise sales and profit
- create a 3D window box using various materials.
What will you gain?
By the end of the course you’ll have developed shop floor plans for engaging merchandising displays.
You’ll leave with a greater understanding of the themes and trends used in to implement an adaptable approach to merchandising retail spaces.
Certificate of attendance and digital badge
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a digital certificate of attendance and a digital badge powered by Accredible.
Your digital credential is more than just a certificate – it’s secure, verifiable, and protected against fraud through encryption and blockchain technology.
They also come with detailed metadata, including an overview of the skills you have achieved on the course, evidence of completion, and assessment criteria if appropriate.
Share your achievements seamlessly with friends, customers, and potential employers online, and proudly add your badge or certificate to social media platforms such as LinkedIn, so all the right people can see it.
How you’re taught
In-person from the Summit Centre in Kirkby-in-Ashfield.
Contact hours
New dates to be confirmed.
Entry requirements
No previous experience is necessary.
To be eligible for a place, you must live or work in the towns of Kirkby-in-Ashfield or Sutton-in-Ashfield. To check if your home or work postcode is eligible visit the Enterprising Ashfield postcode checker page.
Fees and funding
This course is available at no cost to people living or working in the eligible Kirkby-in-Ashfield or Sutton-in-Ashfield areas.
If you live or work outside the eligible postcode area, you can join our fee-paying Visual Merchandising Now courses delivered on the City Campus.
How to apply
If you have any questions about this course, you can email EnterprisingAshfield@ntu.ac.uk or call us at +44 (0)115 848 2813.
