Optimising Curtain Displays for Higher In-Store Sales

Curtains remain one of the strongest in-store home textile categories, but they are also one of the easiest to display poorly. Unlike smaller items, curtains require customers to understand size, fabric, heading style, and performance before committing to a purchase.

Optimising curtain displays is not about adding more stock to the rail — it’s about making choices easier for customers and helping staff guide them confidently to the right product.

Why Curtain Display Matters More Than Ever

In physical retail, customers expect to:

• See and touch the fabric

• Compare colours and textures

• Understand what suits their home

If a display feels cluttered, outdated, or confusing, customers often disengage or delay their purchase. A well-structured display, on the other hand, builds confidence and encourages decision-making.

Good displays don’t just look better — they sell better.

Group Curtains by Function, Not Just Colour

One of the most common mistakes in curtain merchandising is grouping products purely by colour or range.

Customers don’t think in ranges — they think in needs.

Consider grouping by:

• Blackout curtains

• Room darkening curtains

• Lightweight decorative curtains

• Thermal curtains

Clear functional grouping helps customers immediately narrow their options and makes staff recommendations easier.

Make Key Information Visible at a Glance

Curtain purchases involve multiple decision points. If customers have to search for information, frustration builds quickly.

Each display section should clearly show:

• Heading type (eyelet or tape top)

• Light control level

• Available drops

• Key fabric features

Simple shelf talkers or header cards dramatically reduce confusion and speed up decision-making.

Use Fabric Samples Effectively

Customers want to touch fabric, but excessive loose samples can create clutter.

Best practice includes:

• One clear fabric swatch per colour

• Securely attached samples

• Clean, well-presented fabrics

Worn, frayed, or dirty samples undermine perceived quality and should be replaced regularly.

Display Curtains at the Correct Height

Curtains displayed too high or too low are difficult for customers to visualise accurately. When a display doesn’t reflect real-world proportions, customers are forced to imagine how the curtains might look at home, which often creates uncertainty and hesitation.

Where possible, curtains should be displayed at standard UK drop sizes, such as 54", 72", or 90", as these represent the most commonly purchased lengths. Displaying curtains at familiar drops helps customers immediately understand scale, proportion, and how the curtain will sit within a room.

To support effective in-store presentation, Tyrone Textiles is able to provide dedicated display curtains designed specifically for retail environments. These display curtains can be supplied complete with swing tickets and price cards, ensuring key product information and pricing are clearly visible at the point of sale.

Display curtains can be hung on either poles or tracks, allowing customers to see exactly how the heading sits and how the fabric drapes and falls naturally. This is far more effective than relying on packaging alone and helps customers visualise the finished result with confidence.

In addition, Tyrone Textiles can also supply:

• Measuring guides for in-store display, helping customers understand how to measure correctly and choose the right width and drop

• Display hangers showcasing all available colours within a design, allowing customers to compare colour options easily without opening multiple packs

Together, these display tools reduce guesswork, support staff conversations, and make the buying process clearer and more confident for customers. By combining realistic hanging heights with clear pricing, colour visibility, and measuring guidance, retailers can significantly improve engagement and conversion in-store.

Keep Displays Current and Relevant

Outdated designs and discontinued lines cause confusion and missed sales.

Retailers should:

• Regularly remove discontinued styles

• Refresh displays with current bestsellers

• Keep colour ranges complete

A focused display of strong-selling products often outperforms a larger, cluttered one.

Support Displays with Simple Educational Signage

Many customers are unfamiliar with curtain terminology. Educational signage can quietly do the selling for you.

Useful topics include:

• How to measure windows

• Difference between blackout and room darkening

• Eyelet vs tape top headings

This reduces pressure on staff and improves customer confidence.

Train Staff to Use the Display Properly

Even the best display underperforms if staff don’t use it.

Staff should be comfortable:

• Explaining display sections

• Demonstrating fabric differences

• Guiding customers between options

Displays should support staff conversations, not replace them.

Avoid Overcrowding the Rail

More choice does not always mean more sales.

Overcrowded displays:

• Make browsing difficult

• Hide key products

• Reduce perceived quality

Clear spacing between products makes each curtain easier to see and touch, improving engagement.

Use Displays to Encourage Trade-Up

Displays are an opportunity to guide customers towards higher-value options.

For example:

• Position blackout curtains next to room darkening options

• Clearly explain performance differences

• Highlight added benefits such as thermal properties

When customers understand why one option costs more, they are more likely to choose it.

Final Thoughts

Optimising curtain displays isn’t about adding complexity — it’s about clarity. Clear grouping, visible information, clean samples, and confident staff all work together to increase conversion and reduce indecision.

Retailers who treat curtain displays as a sales tool rather than just storage consistently see higher in-store sales and better customer satisfaction. With the right presentation and support, curtains remain one of the most reliable and profitable in-store categories.