Abstract:
A method of displaying merchandise creates a more user friendly display that facilitates quicker and easier shopping for a consumer. The display includes an information communication hierarchy that conveys various levels of information to consumers. The hierarchy includes branding information, product category information, product category information in an alternate orientation, indexing information and product specific information. The levels provide navigational directions to the consumer to direct them to a small subset of merchandise being displayed that would meet the consumer&#39;s needs.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to a method of displaying merchandise and an apparatus constructed in accordance therewith. More particularly, this invention relates to a method of displaying greeting cards for retail sale. The method is designed to readily convey information to greeting card shopping consumers to more quickly direct the consumer to the appropriate card, thereby reducing shopping time and increasing the likelihood that the consumer finds a greeting card for the specific occasion for which they were shopping. 
         [0004]    Consumers generally shop for greeting cards for specific events or occasions. To assist consumers in locating appropriate cards, greeting card displays typically convey various information to consumers regarding the cards on display. However, the arrangement of this information greatly affects the ability of a consumer to locate a specific card and the time associated therewith. As the ability to locate a specific card increases and the time required to find the card decreases, customer satisfaction improves, thereby generating customer satisfaction with a product and consumer loyalty in connection therewith. 
         [0005]    To assist with the objects noted above, a communication hierarchy has been developed to convey the necessary information to the prospective purchasers in a manner which increases wayfinding and decreases the average amount of time associated therewith. The communication hierarchy includes branding information, product category information, product category information in an alternate orientation, indexing information and product specific information. 
         [0006]    The first level of the communication hierarchy relates to branding of the product on display. The brand of the product being displayed is an important piece of the information disclosed to a perspective consumer. The brand initially tells the consumer that they are in the correct location and that the products they are looking at are manufactured by or associated with a known or desired brand. The brand information also reinforces consumer loyalty at the end of the shopping experience to facilitate subsequent purchases after a successful and positive shopping experience. The brand information can include not only the name of the company but may also include an indication as to the product line of that specific company that is being displayed (e.g., Expressions by Hallmark). 
         [0007]    The next or second level of information to be displayed in the communication hierarchy is the product category. This information quickly directs the consumer to the location of greeting cards for the specific event or occasion for which the consumer is shopping. Examples of product categories would include everyday cards (e.g., birthday, wedding, get well, sympathy, etc.) seasons (e.g., Christmas, Valentines, etc.), new product information, sub-brands, and marketing messages. Product category information provides the consumer with entry level navigation to quickly put the consumer in front of the greeting cards related to the specific event for which they are shopping. 
         [0008]    The third level of communication reinforces the product category information of the second level by presenting similar information in an alternate location and orientation. In most retail stores, greeting card displays are usually provided in certain aisles of the stores. As such, consumers generally approach a greeting card display from the side. It is not until the consumer is directly in front of the display, generally, that they can determine which cards are located in which areas of the display. To assist with entry level navigation, signs may be provided which stick out from the fixtures and display information in a direction generally perpendicular to the fronts of the displays so that this information is readily viewable from a distance down the aisle such that a user may walk directly to a group of cards for a particular event. 
         [0009]    The fourth level of communication can be described under the general category of indexing information. This information includes recipient information (e.g., husband, wife, niece, uncle, grandparent, etc.) and quickly directs the purchaser to a sub-set of cards that generally fall within the user&#39;s needs. For example, Valentine cards for wife. Once the user has located the region or area where this sub-set of cards is located, the user may then further narrow the number of cards to be viewed by using the information in the fifth level of communication, namely, information specific to a particular card. 
         [0010]    This fifth level of information is generally displayed on a sign associated with a specific greeting card. These informational signs or cards are also referred to as pocket identifier cards (PIDs). PIDs are manufactured to be slightly taller than the card with which they are associated such that a portion of the PID is visible above the cards and their envelopes. The information in the fifth level is placed on the portion that is visible above the cards and their envelopes. This information includes card specific information which includes recipient information, giver information, and sub-brand information, and calls out unique consumer attributes, such as “Cards with Sound” or special pricing messages (e.g., 99¢). Attribute information may be spelled out editorially or the use of specific icons may be used for increased ease and speed of wayfinding. 
         [0011]    Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The features of the invention noted above are explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, in which  FIGS. 1-6  illustrate several possible embodiments of the present invention, and in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a front side-elevational view of a portion of a merchandise display fixture set up in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged fragmentary view of the fixture of  FIG. 1  taken in the area of  2 - 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged fragmentary view of the fixture of  FIG. 1  taken in the area of  3 - 3 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a fragmentary perspective view of the right end of the fixture of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a front side-elevational view of a portion of a merchandise display fixture set up in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a front side-elevation view of a plurality of PIDs with exemplary, fifth level communication hierarchy, card specific information thereon; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a fragmentary perspective view of a right end portion of a merchandise display fixture set up in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    Referring now to the drawings in more detail and initially to  FIG. 1 , numeral  10  generally designates a merchandise display fixture arranged in accordance with a method of the present invention. The fixture  10  includes a plurality of shelves  12 . Some of the shelves  12  may provide individual rows  14  for displaying cards, as illustrated in  FIG. 1  where two rows  14  of shelves  12  are provided near the top of the fixture  10  in generally the same vertical plane. The fixture  10  may also provide for a plurality of shelves  12  where the rows  14  are partially covered by the next proceeding row  14  in a manner known in the industry and as is depicted in the lower portion of  FIG. 1 . In this arrangement, the shelves  12  are generally provided in a stair-stepped arrangement such that the back of each next lower shelf  12  aligns with the front of the shelf  12  immediately above it. This allows for the display of just an upper portion  16  of a card  18 . Consequently, each shelf  12  is moved slightly forward toward the aisle down which a consumer would walk when viewing the cards  18  in a retail environment. It should be noted that the number and arrangement of the rows may be changed from the illustrated embodiment and still be within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0021]    The information and communication hierarchy of the present invention preferably includes five levels of communications. It should be understood that additional levels of communication could be used as well as certain levels of communications be omitted and benefits still be achieved therefrom. However, a five level system will be discussed initially in connection with the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 . It should also be understood that the levels could be provided in a different sequence and still be within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0022]    In accordance with an embodiment of the method of the present invention, the fixture  10  includes a first information display location  20  for displaying brand information. In the illustrated embodiment, the first information display location  20  takes the form of a sign  22  upon which brand information is placed. The brand information provides brand reinforcement and communicates to the consumer the highest level brand of the product being displayed. For example, the first information display location  20  may display the Hallmark brand or it may display the name of a product line by a particular brand, such as, Expressions From Hallmark, as depicted in  FIG. 2 . The first information display location  20  is provided, preferably, above all other information display locations, as well as above all of the merchandise/greeting cards  18 . The sign  22  upon which the first information display location  20  is found may be coupled with the fixture  10  or may be suspended above the fixture  10 . 
         [0023]    A second information display location  24  is provided on the fixture  10  for displaying product category information. The second information display location  24  may take the shape of a second sign  26 . The product category information found in the second information display location  24  provides entry level navigation to the product being displayed and includes, for example, highest level information of the product displayed in proximity to the second information display location  24 . Such information, for example in connection with greeting cards, would include the event to which the cards relate (e.g., birthday, anniversary, care and concern, sympathy, get well, Christmas, Valentine&#39;s, etc.), sub-brand information and various marketing messages. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the second information display location  24  identifies that the cards  18  contained in that particular area are of the Mahogany line or sub-brand. Preferably, the second information display location  24  is below the first information display location  20  and above the uppermost row  14  of cards  18  on the fixture  10 . 
         [0024]    A third information display location  28  provides information to a consumer in a different orientation from the orientation of the second information display location  24 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the third information display location  28  takes the form of a third sign  30 . Unlike the second information display location  24  which is oriented to direct the information directly away from a front  32  of the fixture  10 , such that it is best viewed by a consumer when standing directly in front of and facing the cards  18 , the third sign  30 , and in turn the third information display location  28 , is provided in an orientation to direct the information perpendicular to the front  32  of the fixture  10 , such that the information on the third information display location  28  is best viewable by a consumer when they are walking down the aisle in a direction generally parallel to the front  32  of the fixture  10 . 
         [0025]    Preferably, the third information display location  28  includes information similar to that provided in the category level or second level communication of the communication hierarchy. Additionally, highest level brand information may be provided on the third information display location. In addition to category information, the third information display location  28  may also provide action information to induce a consumer to purchase a card (e.g., “use music”) as well as offer information (e.g., “buy three get one free” or “100 bonus points with every card”). To improve wayfinding, action information can be relegated to an alternate embodiment of the third information display location  28 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , this may take the form of the square third sign  30 , which is of a different shape and is hung at a different height from other (and in the illustrated embodiment round) third signs  30 . In this regard, the square third sign  30  does not detract from the wayfinding properties of the third information display location  28 . In other words, while this additional information can be provided on the third information display location  28 , the primary purpose of the third information display location  28  in most instances is to provide a consumer approaching a card display fixture  10  with quick navigation to the location in the fixture  10  where they can find cards  18  related to the specific occasion for which they are card shopping. Examples of such information would include wedding, sympathy, birthday for her, Christmas, Mother&#39;s Day, etc. When used in this manner, the third information display location  28 , and in turn the third sign  30 , allows a consumer to walk directly to the location in the fixture  10  that has the cards  18  most appropriate for the specific occasion for which they are purchasing a card. Once at that location, the user may turn and face the fixture  10  to be faced with more specific information related to the cards adjacent the third information display location  28 , to further assist the consumer in picking out a card  18 . 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the second sign  26  and the third sign  30  are preferably provided with a background color which corresponds to or is tied to the information displayed in the two signs  26 ,  30 . For example, if the section of cards  18  is for Valentine&#39;s Day, both the second sign  26  and the third sign  30  might have a red background color and the text “Valentine&#39;s Day” would be printed thereon. The use of the same text and background colors in the second and third signs  26 ,  30  quickly reassures the consumer that they are in the correct location and reinforces the type of cards they will find in the section in front of which they are now standing. 
         [0027]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , the third sign  30  is round in nature. While the sign  30  could be of any shape, a round sign has been found beneficial in that its shape contrasts with the rectangular shape of the cards  18  and their envelopes, as well as with the linear appearance of the rows  14  of shelves  12 . Similarly, an arrangement where the sign  30  is hung from a sign hook  34  provides an attractive and eye catching display which readily directs the consumer&#39;s attention to the third sign  30 , again helping with initial navigation. A proximal end (hidden behind a card  18 ) of the sign hook  34  is coupled with the fixture  10 . 
         [0028]    The fixture  10  also includes a fourth information display location  36  which provides a location for communication of information in a fourth level of the communication hierarchy. The fourth information display location  36  takes the form of a fourth sign  38 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , the fourth information display location  36  is beside the second information display  24 . In alternate embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the fourth information display location  36  is located below the second information display location  24 . 
         [0029]    The fourth information display location  36  includes information generally contained under the category of indexing information. This information generally includes information on the recipient of the card or the occasion for which the card pertains. Examples of information typically found in the fourth information display location  36  include familial relationship (e.g., mother, father, step mom, sister, aunt, etc.) or other recipient information. Indexing information can also include product news or benefit information (e.g., cards for unique needs). 
         [0030]    The fixture  10  also includes a fifth level of communication in a communication/product information message hierarchy in the form of a fifth information display location  40 . The fifth information display location  40  takes the form of a fifth sign  42 . In the illustrated embodiment, the fifth sign  42  is an item generally referred to in the industry as a product identifier (“PID”) card. A PID is generally constructed from paper card stock and sized to have a width dimension less than that of the card with which it is associated as well as a height dimension greater than that of the card with which it is associated. PIDs are generally manufactured to be specific to the particular card with which they are associated. In this manner, a uniform amount of the PID or fifth sign  42  is visible directly above the card  18  with which it is associated when the PID  42  is placed behind its associated card  18  on a shelf  12  of the fixture  10 . As the majority of cards  18  (and especially their corresponding envelopes) are rectangular, a non-straight upper edge of the PID or fifth sign  42  is has been found beneficial to help make the fifth information display location  40  stand apart from the cards  18  and their envelopes, thereby improving wayfinding. In the illustrated embodiment, the non-straight upper edge of the PIDs  42  are arched. Other non-straight shapes can be used, in addition to straight edges. 
         [0031]    The information provided in the fifth level of the communication hierarchy of the present invention can be categorized as pocket identifier or product identifier information. This information provides a consumer with product specific information. Such information may include recipient information (e.g., niece, nephew, uncle, etc.) or giver information (e.g., From Us Both With Love). Other information which can be found on the fifth information display location  40  includes commentary on the message or text of the card  18  (e.g., humor, just for fun, etc.) or that no message is contained (e.g., blank inside). The fifth information display location  40  may also contain sub-brand information and icons to readily convey features of the card  18 . Such icons may include religious symbols, a speaker to indicate a sound card, a microphone to indicate a recordable card, and a pricing icon.  FIG. 6  illustrates a plurality of PIDs/fifth signs  42  with fifth information display locations thereon containing exemplary product specific information thereon. 
         [0032]    By providing the five levels of communication hierarchy disclosed above, the method discussed herein of the present invention, as well as a fixture  10  laid out in accordance with the method, provide a consumer with identification information which has been found to significantly reduce the time required for a consumer to locate a specific card which would meet the consumer&#39;s needs over prior art displays. To illustrate benefits of such navigation, an example is discussed below. 
         [0033]    In this example, a consumer at a retail store heads to the card aisle to locate a birthday card for their niece. As the consumer turns down the aisle, they can readily see a plurality of third signs  30  which stick out into the aisle. If the consumer has shopped in a card aisle incorporating the present invention before, the consumer may be able to associate a color (e.g., a purple background) of a third sign  30  with the event (birthday cards) before the user could read the text found on the third information display location  28 . If the consumer is not familiar with the color scheme, as the user heads down the aisle, they quickly find a third sign  30  that displays information indicating that birthday cards are found adjacent a particular third sign  30 . This allows the user to quickly walk past non-birthday cards without having to slow down to read various items to determine the types of cards in those sections or the events with which they are associated. 
         [0034]    Once the user arrives next to the third sign  30  which indicates that birthday cards are found in that area, the consumer may turn to face the fixture  10 . Upon facing the fixture  10 , the user is quickly provided with a reassurance that they are in the correct location by the message provided in the second information display location  24 . In this example, that information would also indicate a phrase “birthday”. And, preferably, the background color of the second sign  26  would match the background color of the third sign  30 , again to reinforce that the user has stopped at the proper location. The consumer is also quickly informed that all of the cards in that location are of a particular brand (e.g., Hallmark) by way of the first information display location  20  located above the cards. 
         [0035]    By looking now at a fourth information display location  36  in that area, the consumer can quickly determine the smaller area that contains birthday cards for nieces. Upon determining the location of the small area that contains cards  18  for a nieces&#39; birthday, then, and only then, does the consumer need to look at information specific to individual cards. This information can quickly narrow the consumer to a small handful of cards for nieces&#39; birthdays that would fit the consumer&#39;s desires or personality. For example, the user may be looking for a humorous card, at which point the consumer may scan the PIDs or fifth signs  42  directly behind the individual cards  18  for a fifth information display location  40  that contains the word “humor”. At this point, the consumer now only needs to pick up and look at the small handful of cards that are humorous birthday cards for a niece. As can be seen, the method of the present invention and a fixture  10  constructed or arranged in accordance therewith, can readily assist a consumer in finding a desired greeting card in a minimal amount of time. 
         [0036]    Many variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. Such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the vertical relationship between the different display locations can be rearranged.  FIG. 5  illustrates an alternate arrangement of the different display locations. Other modifications would be within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0037]    From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with the other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the method and apparatus. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the invention. 
         [0038]    Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention, and not in a limiting sense.