GSS is here!

For all those who has been to Singapore, one would know that it's the greatest sale season of the year here! Spanning from end May to Mid July, it's the time where almost 90% of the stores here would be on sale. Someone once told me, if you're not going to put on a sale sign now, you will certainly lose out!

NO.

For me, I think, if you don't put out an SALE sign that is attractive enough, you are going to lose out! Yet, for all that being said, despite the KIASU mentality of Singaporeans, I have yet to spot one sign that was head turning. Perhaps the boutiques here always bang on the fact that shopping is our favorite pastime, and besides there isn't much to do in this little city other than the heaps and heaps of new, and old malls at almost 1 in every 3 MRT stations in Singapore. Not only that, brand conscious and fashion-safe Singaporeans aren't likely to divert their loyalties easily, as seen from my observations. The young favor the high street brands like H&M, Topshop, Bershka, and Forever 21. The rest of the mass population goes for value added brands like UNIQLO and whatever is available in the departmental stores. Of course, that is not to say there are fashionistas here, and lack of local designers here with their outstanding work. I can see some evolution, but again, most of the time it is a copied look from some mannequin, some magazine.

UGH. Talk about my hate for high street these days.

Anyways, I digress. Here are some pretty interesting SALE signs I've spotted while in London.
1. Attention grabbing graphics and uh... numbers

Lyle and Scott: Loved that they decorated the window with a red eagle the same colour with the sale sign topped with a smaller yellow one that looks like a butterfly from afar that would definitely capture your attention!

This was one of my favorite windows in this shopping area on Convent Garden! I like how they used the party flags to guide the viewer eyes to the mannequins and clothing. And the colors used are similar to the garments displayed. The best part is, they carried this theme to the opposite window to decorate their sale window! Can you see how this is so brilliantly displayed if your eyes keep following the flow of the flags to trace their end?

Instead of just putting sale, MANGO uses numbers that are easy to read in a flash, and tells you exactly how much reductions is going on. Works great on a high traffic volume area when people are in a rush.

2. They got it all covered!

For Radley, from the colors of the bags to the paint of the facade (i.e. store front), you can almost identify with its subtle-ness and simple elegance. Yet it spares no shopper from informing them of their sale, as you can see both SALE signs on each side of the mini windows. The only thing I would disagree with here is the use of the red bag display as the backdrop of the diamond sign on the left which 'swallows' up the sign.

You don't need perfect eyesight to know that GAP is having a sale here, despite the dizzying facade they have here!

Shopper STOPPER: Mind The GAP

GAP. At first glance, this brand, pretty well known for their pretty pricey basics and jeans almost has zero appeal except perhaps their best-selling jumpers or clothing with the word 'GAP' on it. Doesn't help that it is wayyyyy more expensive here in SG as compared to the States and we now have Uniqlo which provides every bit of quality with every cent paid. 

But apparently, GAP has upped their game in their new windows. I love this boxed up concept, it helps brings focus to that particular key product you want the customer to SEE. This seems to be trending now considering that H&M has a similar concept in their window (See below), however GAP goes one notch higher by using their signature blue light + the striking "Colour a Chord" makes it almost impossible to ignore the otherwise pretty dull colour palate of the display.

H&M's window using a magnifying glass-like prop to highlight the key products. 

I love this store front! This space looks wide, especially the walkway surrounding the four mannequins on GAP decorated plinths seducing the customer to walk in and take a look at the outfits and also the campaign poster at the back. Also, the two racks on each side have exactly the products dressed on the mannequins, convenient for the male customers to search for what they want.

And for their children's store, it's even brighter and more fun! Being in London, I was well aware that 'back to school' is a common window theme for many stores there but I haven't seen one in SG, that was until I saw this: 'Back to Cool!' Makes going back to school a little less painful, don't you think?

I can feel the EXCITEMENT in the mannequins!

On the other side is more for toddlers, light and small little kids, GAP has chosen to hang the outfits up, as with the floating balloons with a pink heart. Awwww... just like how every kid is their parents' love.

The extra pic! Took this while I was in London, which coincidentally was when the Royal couple, Prince William and his Duchess of Cambridge, Kate gave birth to Prince George. Love the suspending handkerchiefs, (reminds me of graduation) and totally puts one into celebratory mood!  And look! Even the colours are purposely chosen to reflect UK's royal colours: Red, white and blue. Shows effort put in to incorporate into the London culture despite being a US retail company.

xoxo,
Yuhan