Don't forget the power of a Window Display

Some people (like me) stopped going to the mall. We used to love it. It used to be part of weekend routine. Every Saturday or Sunday we'd drive to the big parking lot, circle around to find a spot, and then walk around the glossy floors wondering if we had enough money to buy something from one of the "ooh la la" stores. We felt nostalgic, like we were teenagers again, but this time there was actually some cash in our purses. We didn't go to meet up with some friends or see if our new crush would steal a kiss - nope. We went because the floor was shiny, the air-conditioning or indoor temperature was better than the weather outside, and it gave us a reason to put on some nice clothes because we got all confused at church about what to wear. We tried to enjoy our meal at the foodcourt, even though we knew we could make something better at home for less money. We walked around and noticed the teens, and the families with children still trying to juggle all of that responsibility. We sat on some bench watching and reminiscing about the stores that have come and gone. Memories of old friends and happy times came to mind as we listened to whatever music was playing. Then we took one last walk around to see what the stores were promoting. The window displays would invite us in or tell us to keep walking. Most of them don't have a "Welcome" mat or a "Now Hiring" sign these days. Most of them just have a subtle "Keep Walking" sign. That's how you know, that soon the mall won't be there. It will become another empty building beckoning to be leveled to ground zero, or crying to be reinvented. History repeats, over and over again.

But for those who have stores there, or for those who care about the fate of their mall, or for those like me who would still like to visit and shop there, I do have some advice. Oh oh. Not again. Not her and her big mouth and her "know-it-all" attitude. Who does she think she is? She's such a loser. She's never had a store there. She doesn't know what she's talking about. She's just some stupid bored old lady who keeps sending us messages and has absolutely no effect on the society whatsoever. Ok, that's fine. Say that if you want to. And now I'm going to say what I want to say.

Window Displays Matter. For the little entrepreneurs like me on Etsy, Ebay, Listia, or with their own website, we know that our logo and advertising bring in new interest. We work on it and we try to make it appealing just like our products. I know it works. I've seen it work and experienced the difference when I care and when I don't care. You see that photo of the window display above? Do you think they care? Did they spark interest or do you think that window display is just saying "Keep walking"? I don't want to shop there, I can tell you that much.

It's been awhile since I've been to the mall. I haven't been there the whole year of 2025, but I did visit last year in 2024. So the following review of window displays is based on what I witnessed in 2024. If it looks different in 2025, then cool, maybe it improved.

The Stores That Had Impressive Window Displays

1. HALLMARK

Hallmark store in the mall is amazing in my opinion. They were the store that inspired me to be an entrepreneur. They sell greeting cards (of course) but they also sell gifts. It's a great store for the shopper in tune with the seasons, and the shopper looking for that unique something to give as a present. Though their slogan is not "It's the thought that counts" that would be a good one for them. Their window displays are always dazzling, and perfectly sinced with the season or holiday.

2. TORRID

Torrid is a clothing store that caters to young plus sized women. Their clothes are trendy and expensive, but young plus-sized women with a credit card or a good job love shopping there. It's fun. Their window displays are inviting and show the latest trends in fashion. They know the power of a good window display.

3. HOT TOPIC and SPENCERS

These are those weird stores that have strange products and funny gifts. A Mug with a joke that you wouldn't see in the more "reputable" stores or some kind of kinky sex toy. Their window displays don't show that stuff (of course) but they do something that sparks interest and curiousity and lots of people go in to look.

4. CLAIRES

It seems like a silly little accessory shop with cheap jewelry to some people who would never wear any costume jewelry, but CLAIRES makes a lot of people happy with their costume jewelry and affordable accessories. They do a very good job showcasing their products and sales in their window displays. I often go into take a peek even when I'm not shopping for jewelry or accessories.

5. VICTORIA'S SECRET

I've made terrible jokes about Victoria's Secret store and products. I've had a horrible animosity about their lingerie products. I guess it's just a chip on my shoulder about their sizes and their prices. I just can't see spending $50 on a piece of material that's supposed to tell some dude to make love to me like he's Fabio (when he's not) when I can take that $50 and get a week's worth of clothing at the thrift store. But, I can't deny that Victoria's Secret has always known how to dress their windows. Maybe they have excellent window displays because they make so much money on lingerie they can afford to pay a Window Display artist.

6. DICKS Sporting Goods

I don't shop for sporting goods often. I go to Dicks store usually when I'm looking for outdoor equipment for camping. DICKS shoppers tend to be athletic types involved in sports and fitness. It's a grand store and very impressive inside. It's a good thing they have a big reputation and welcoming window displays, because I doubt any new interest would occur without that.

Ok, those are the companies who don't need to hire a Window Display Artist. Now for the companies who need help big time.

The following companies ought to be ashamed that they have a window and should hire a Window Display artist immediately:

1. Abercrombie & Fitch

They have beautiful clothing and the inside of the store has an ambiance that is worth enjoying; But their window doesn't just say "Keep Walking" -- Um, no. It just about screams "Get Lost!" That's a shame.

2. Foot Locker

Maybe they don't care about their window display because they make enough sales on their very expensive products. However, I never shop there and never feel inclined to look around because their window displays are boring and thoughtless.

3. Home Depot & Lowes

I love Home Depot and Lowes. The Gardening and Hardware store for everything you need to fix up and decorate your sanctuary called home. However, they seem to think that putting a bunch of plants and flowers and nick nacks outside near the parking lot is enough "window display" action to uphold their impeccable reputation. Again, maybe they don't care about it because they make enough money, but if they want to progress, they should do more than that.

4. Starbuck and Dunkin

I love coffee. I will always go there for coffee. BUT, I'm disappointed that the coffee shops show so little effort in their window displays. We know you sell coffee. Is that the best you can do?

5. Forever21

This was my mother's favorite store at the mall for some reason. She used to be a big Macy's fan and we'd always go into Macy's and JCPenny's. Then she got hooked on Forever21. I guess shopping there made her feel young again. I've looked around and I can see why she liked shopping there. However, their window displays are a bit boring. Not as boring as the window display in the photo above, but not as good as they should be to express the joy of their loyal shoppers. Express the joy! Show the Mall shoppers why your shoppers love it there.

Well, we are at the end of October. The Holidays are upon us and I believe there will still be the busy bee shoppers doing the holiday season shopping. I just hope they see some great window displays instead of walking around wondering why or how these shoppes and businesses stay in business.

Happy Holidays Shoppers and Business People!