Summer Sales Success: How to Prepare Your Storefront for Maximum Footfall

Posted On: July 1, 2025 By: SEOAdmin

When the sun comes out, so do the shoppers. Whether you’re on the high street, in a shopping centre or popping up at a seasonal market, summer is one of the best times to refresh your store’s appearance and capture attention. With longer days, school holidays and additional tourist footfall, the right storefront setup can turn passers-by into paying customers.

 

In this guide, we’ll explore practical, eye-catching summer retail display ideas that help drive traffic and boost sales, all while keeping your brand front and centre.

Embrace Bold Summer Themes

Summer is the season of colour, energy and optimism, so reflect that in your display choices. Lean into bright colours, light textures and bold graphic elements that instantly signal sunshine and seasonal offers.

 

Popular summer themes include:

• Beach vibes: Think surfboards, deck chairs, sand buckets or coastal backdrops
• Tropical escape: Palm leaves, pineapples, flamingos and floral prints
• Festival season: Music-inspired props, bunting and casual wear
• Summer in the city: Urban cool with sunglasses, iced coffee and city maps

 

Props, mannequins, plinths and signage in on-theme colours and shapes can help you bring these concepts to life without a complete refit.

Optimise Your Window Display for Attention

Your window display is your first and best chance to grab attention. In summer, people are more likely to be walking, browsing or meandering through town with time to spare.

 

Quick tips for creating eye-catching windows:

 

• Use movement: Add fans, hanging elements or flags that sway in the breeze
• Incorporate lighting: Spotlight key products or use warm-toned LED strips to stand out
• Tell a story: Use mannequins, props and backdrop materials to build a mini-scene around your products
• Switch it up: Rotate your display every few weeks to keep it fresh and entice returning foot traffic

 

Use Signage to Promote Seasonal Offers

Don’t just rely on visuals, tell people what you want them to do. Clear, well-placed signage helps direct attention to summer promotions and calls-to-action.

 

Signage must-haves for summer:

 

• Window posters advertising limited-time offers or seasonal discounts
• A-frame pavement signs drawing in footfall from the street (but check local laws for any restrictions on their use)
• Snap frames and acrylic sign holders to place near high-margin or promotional items
• Digital displays (where possible) to show rotating offers, events or brand storytelling

Make the Most of Outdoor Fixtures

If you’re lucky enough to have a decent outdoor frontage, use it! This space can be a powerful tool in grabbing attention and encouraging browsing.

 

Ideas for outdoor impact:

 

• Display seasonal bestsellers on a rolling garment rail or freestanding shelving unit
• Offer testers or samples at a branded table
• Create a mini lounge or photo spot with a bench, greenery or a branded backdrop

 

Just make sure any items outside are weatherproof or that you can cover them. You might also need to roll them inside after closing for security.

Create a Flow That Moves People Where You Want Them

Once you’ve drawn someone in, your interior layout should guide them through your space. Use summer-themed signage, bright display cubes or risers and prominent POS displays to highlight:

 

• Bestsellers
• New arrivals
• Multi-buy offers
• Seasonal bundles

Encourage Social Sharing

Want to turn footfall into free marketing? Make your displays Instagrammable. A creative summer setup with a hashtag or branded message encourages customers to snap and share their visit.

 

Easy ways to do this:

 

• Add a quirky summer prop or statement piece (like an oversized ice cream cone or palm tree)
• Include branded signage with your social handles and a simple call-to-action
• Set up a small photo corner or selfie station

 

With just a few affordable props and signage pieces, you can turn foot traffic into online exposure.

Turn Summer Retail Display Ideas Into Reality

At The Retail Factory, we supply everything from mannequins and signage to slatwall and garment rails, helping you bring your summer retail display ideas to life. Need help planning your display? Get in touch with our team or browse the summer display items in our shop.