Bringing Your Store Into Balance

In the fast-paced world of retail trends, feng shui appeared on the scene ages ago. Much like the “green” products revolution, feng shui has survived the transition from fad to accepted concept for a surprising number of otherwise hard-nosed companies. Disney, for example, consulted about feng shui design principles when creating its recently opened Hong Kong theme park.

Of course, most specialty store owners don't have the budget to consult a feng shui master. Fortunately for them, there's Feng Shui for Retailers, written and illustrated by Gifts & Decorative Accessories' visual merchandising columnist Linda Cahan.

The book starts with an explanation of the basic principles of feng shui, then talks about how to use the Eastern lifestyle philosophy to choose the right location for a retail store. The heart of the book takes a walk through a specialty store — from curb to stockroom — highlighting problem areas and explaining how to apply feng shui solutions to bring the store “back into balance.”

Feng shui cures don't have to involve an Asian or Zen-like look, if that doesn't suit your style. In fact, you can implement fixes in any type of decor, from adding a mirror to simulate a missing “wealth” section to putting a flowing tablecloth on a round table or an organic-shaped vase with cascading flowers in the “career” section of your store. Useful feng shui “cures” include crystals, plants, mirrors, fountains, and sheer fabric walls — all of which are easily incorporated into any environment. Even organizing your stockroom counts as a feng shui makeover — and the only investment that it requires is time.