Checklist template

Visual merchandising standards for apparel stores

A ready-to-use checklist with 99 items in 6 sections, covering Floor set, Fixtures, Folding and hanging standards, Signage, Lighting, Maintenance. Use it as-is in InspectLoop, or adapt it to your own standards in minutes.

  • 6 Sections
  • 99 Items
  • 84 Yes / No checks
  • 6 Scored ratings
  • 114 Points

Use this template How audits work

1. Floor set 20 items

  1. The store holds the current floor set directive and every update issued since its launch Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Each weekly or flow update issued since the launch was set on the floor by its effective date Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Effective date of the latest directive update set on the floor Date
  4. The lead table carries the story named in the latest update Yes / No 1 pt
  5. New arrivals are in the front third of the store Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Deliveries received since the launch sit on the fixtures the update assigns, not on the nearest open rail Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Stories that have sold down were collapsed or replaced as the update instructs Yes / No 1 pt
  8. No story fixture is left half empty while its replacement product sits in the stockroom Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Each story reads as one group from the aisle, with its tops, bottoms and layers on neighboring fixtures Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Color flow on each wall follows the directive, light to dark or in the sequence shown Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Each wall bay has a focal point at eye level (face-out outfit, form or graphic) as the wall elevation shows Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Denim is presented on the denim wall or table by fit, then by wash Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Basics and core styles are in their permanent locations Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Sale product is confined to the area the directive assigns Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Departments (women's, men's, kids) stay within the zone boundaries of the floor map Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Outfits shown at the fitting room entrance are from the stories of the latest update Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Changes the store made to the directive were approved by the visual team or the district manager Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Fixtures checked against the latest directive update Number
  19. Fixtures found not matching the latest directive update Number
  20. Match between the sales floor and the latest directive update Rating
    • Matches on every fixture checked 5 pts
    • A few fixtures differ 3 pts
    • Floor no longer follows the directive 1 pt

2. Fixtures 16 items

  1. Only fixture types from the company's fixture program are on the floor Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Straight arms carry the number of garments the capacity standard sets, with no rail packed tight Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Waterfall arms show one garment per hook or notch, facing the aisle Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Each face-out shows a complete outfit or the lead color of its run, as the standard sets Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Wall runs begin with a face-out, with side-hung depth behind it Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Rounders are used only for the categories the company allows, such as sale or basics Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Tables hold the number of stacks the directive shows, with space between stacks Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Table risers and busts are placed as pictured in the directive Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Each table has one focal point (bust, riser display or sign) at its head or center Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Fixtures under their capacity are filled or merged with a neighboring fixture of the same story, per the standard Yes / No 1 pt
  11. No fixture holds surplus units that belong in back stock Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Bust and torso forms on fixtures are dressed in current-season product Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Fixture finishes in each zone match, with no mix of hardware colors the program does not show Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Rolling racks are used on the sales floor only in the areas the directive allows Yes / No 1 pt
  15. The back wall carries a focal presentation (outfit, graphic or color block) that can be seen from the entrance Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Fixture presentation against the visual standard Rating
    • Every fixture checked at capacity and to standard 5 pts
    • A few fixtures over- or underfilled 3 pts
    • Fixtures packed, bare or off standard 1 pt

3. Folding and hanging standards 15 items

  1. Folded stacks on each table are color-blocked as the directive shows (light to dark, or by color group) Yes / No 1 pt
  2. The top piece of each stack is an unflawed unit in the color chosen for display Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Each category uses the fold the standard sets for it (retail fold, square fold or roll) Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Table displays build height toward the center or back of the table, as the table drawing shows Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Wall cubbies are filled to the level the standard sets, with no cubby overfilled or below half Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Face-out outfits are layered as the standard shows (jacket over top, scarf or belt added) Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Sleeves on face-out garments are styled as the standard shows (rolled, tucked or hanging straight) Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Accessories added to face-outs and busts come from the story they are shown with Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Bust forms show the garment pinned to fit, with no pins visible from the aisle Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Knitwear is folded, or hung on the hanger type the standard allows for knits Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Hanging garments are steamed, with no shipping creases or fold lines Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Coordinated pieces sold separately (bikinis, suits, sets) hang together as the standard shows Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Garment lengths on each wall bay step up from short to long, or follow the elevation Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Graphic tees on a wall show one face-out per graphic Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Folding and hanging presentation on the fixtures checked Rating
    • To standard throughout 5 pts
    • Lapses on a few fixtures 3 pts
    • Standard not applied 1 pt

4. Signage 15 items

  1. Only signs from the current marketing kit are on the floor Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Each sign holder has a sign, with no empty holders on tables or fixtures Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Table signs sit in the position shown in the directive, not on top of product Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Signs face the main customer approach and can be read from the aisle Yes / No 1 pt
  5. No fixture carries more signs than the signage standard allows Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Fixture toppers are straight and fully seated in their brackets Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Wall graphics and lifestyle images are the ones listed for this floor set Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Wall graphics are hung level and centered over the bay Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Promotional signs state the same offer the register applies Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Fit guides are displayed at the denim and pants walls where the company provides them Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Each denim stack or bay is labeled with its fit name Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Signs are printed, with no handwritten or taped paper signs Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Signs are in each language required by company policy or local regulation Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Signs found missing, outdated or out of position during the walk Number
  15. Signage on the sales floor Rating
    • Current, correct and in position 5 pts
    • A few missing or misplaced 3 pts
    • Outdated or wrong signs on display 1 pt

5. Lighting 13 items

  1. Every track light and ceiling fixture on the sales floor is working Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Each table focal point and each form on the sales floor has a track head aimed at it Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Spotlights on face-outs light the product without hot spots or hard shadows on the garments Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Lamps on a track are all of the same color temperature, with no mix of warm and cool light Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Lamps match the beam width the lighting standard sets (spot for focal points, flood for walls) Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Wall washers light the full height of the wall product Yes / No 1 pt
  7. The back wall is lit brightly enough to be read from the entrance Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Illuminated graphics and light boxes are fully lit, with no dark panels Yes / No 1 pt
  9. No lamp shines into customers' eyes at the entrance or at mirrors Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Spare lamps of each type in use are in stock at the store Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Burned-out lamps were reported or replaced within the time set by company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Lamps or fixtures found not working Number
  13. Lighting of product and focal points Rating
    • Product well lit throughout 5 pts
    • Some dark areas or mis-aimed heads 3 pts
    • Many lamps out or product in shadow 1 pt

6. Maintenance 20 items

  1. Wall fixtures and slatwall are free of chipped paint, scratches and empty screw holes Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Rolling fixtures have all their wheels, and no fixture base wobbles Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Wall graphics are free of tears, fading and lifted corners Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Bust forms on the sales floor are free of chips, stains and missing parts Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Acrylic sign holders and risers are free of cracks and sticker residue Yes / No 1 pt
  6. The floor of the main aisle is free of worn paths, stains and lifted tiles Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Walls behind fixtures are free of scuffs and tape residue Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Ceiling tiles above the sales floor are in place and unstained Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Repairs to fixtures, lighting or flooring are logged with the facilities team, with the ticket number on file Yes / No 1 pt
  10. No open facilities ticket for a visual element is older than the time set by company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Spare fixture hardware, sign holders and props are stored in labeled bins in the stockroom Yes / No 1 pt
  12. A working garment steamer is kept for touch-ups on the sales floor Yes / No 1 pt
  13. A named employee is the store's visual merchandising lead Yes / No 1 pt
  14. The store manager or the visual lead walks the floor with the directive each week and records the walk Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Date of the last recorded visual walk Date
  16. Corrections requested at the last district or visual team visit have been made Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Name of the store visual merchandising lead Short text
  18. Name of the store manager Short text
  19. Overall visual standard of the store Rating
    • Matches the directive and the standard throughout 5 pts
    • To standard in the front zones only 3 pts
    • Visual standard not kept 1 pt
  20. Corrective actions required Comments

About this template

This checklist is part of the InspectLoop template library. Yes / No checks score 1 point when met; ratings score the points shown for each option. The overall score is the percentage of points earned, with N/A answers excluded. In InspectLoop you can add photos, assign corrective actions, require sign-off and compare results across sites.

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