By CASEY NEILL
CHRISTMAS is getting competitive in Greater Dandenong – and it’s not just sales up for grabs.
City of Greater Dandenong’s economic development unit is running a festive window display competition across the municipality.
Finalists will receive a framed certificate and visual merchandiser John Elliott will visit the winner post-Christmas to make over their store.
A mystery shopper will assess each entry and choose finalists from Noble Park, Springvale, Dandenong and Keysborough and for the best Small Strip Shopping Area window display.
One of them will then take home the Overall Best Window Display award.
Visual merchandiser John Elliott said shop windows were the “silent salesman”.
“Why you wouldn’t want to make the most of it, I don’t know,” he said.
He started working on Myer’s famed Christmas windows in 1970.
“That was my first job I was 15,” he said.
“I was always embarrassed and I never told anyone this until years later, but I used to go to work in Myers with my suit and tie then come home and play with my toy soldiers.
“I was still just a kid.
“I learnt from all the window dresser guys who’d been there forever. I can tie a handkerchief in a suit pocket 20 different ways.”
Mr Elliott said cleaning the glass, dusting and vacuuming were simple steps to success, and signage and ticketing were the most important window display items.
He urged businesses to choose a theme their local market could relate to, put the focal point at eye level and not crowd the space.
Creative props, creating a story and a colour theme were his other key tips.
Mr Elliott also shared some advice that anyone would think necessary.
“I was at a shop a while back in Box Hill. It’s the worst thing I’ve ever seen in 40 years of doing this – was a lady sitting in the window of her store clipping her toenails,” he said.
“It was a food shop.
“The same lady was telling me later she didn’t have enough customers.”
Entries are to be received by close of business on 29 November and will be assessed in early December.
Visit www.greaterdandenong.com to download an entry form.
