Some clothing stores give them away. Other clothing stores reuse them. But every clothing store depends on them to show off the latest fashions. What are they? Clothes hangers. The clothes hanger was invented in Connecticut by a man named O. A. North in 1903, and the world of clothing storage would never be the same.

Now, more than 100 years later, there are literally hundreds of different styles of clothes hangers, but still never one around when you need it. There are clothes hangers designed specifically for every type of clothing from bikinis and lingerie to shirts, skirts, suits and slacks. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be made from a number of materials including plastic, wood, wire and satin.

We all use clothes hangers daily, without much thought to their value. But in the world of retail sales, the clothes hanger is one of the most important sales tools in the store. Think about it. You are out for an afternoon shopping trip with friends. You spot a dress that seems to scream your name from across the store. You walk closer, take it off the rack, turn it around a few times, and decide to try it on. But why? Maybe you liked the cut, the pattern and the color. But chances are you were initially drawn to that dress because of the way it was hung. Would have it caught your eye if it had been folded up on a table or placed on a regular plastic clothes hanger with one strap hanging off? Probably not. This example illustrates the power that the clothes hanger has in a retail environment as a sales tool.

Nu-era specializes in wholesale retail supply from their website www.nu-era.com, and that of course includes hangers. We buy wholesale hangers direct from the manufacturer and pass on the savings to our retail store customers. We recommend that retail store owners always keep a variety of clothes hangers on hand to stay ahead of the incoming inventory, because they now come in as many varied styles as there are styles of clothing.

Here are some pointers to keep in mind when purchasing wholesale hangers for retail display:

Consider the store environment. Your clothes hangers should match the dcor of its surroundings. Classic wooden hangers may look out of place in trendy stores that play club music and cater to a younger audience. If you run a high-end clothing store that specializes in business and formal fashions, cheap plastic hangers are no way to display your merchandise. The point is, look around. Pick colors and materials that match the feel of your building. If it is hard to match, choose clothes hangers that materially match the expectations of your target customers in neutral colors that won't stick out.

Consider the garment. This is the component that is going to give your merchandise the 'wow' factor on the rack. Make sure that you are using a hanger that was designed for the particular article you are displaying. For instance, men's suits look best on contoured hangers made of wood or heavy plastic that simulate a male shoulder. Lingerie is best displayed on satin lingerie hangers. Wooden and plastic skirt hangers work well for displaying a skirt under a business suit jacket. Keep in mind that hangers designed for the specific article of clothing are the best choice for giving the garment a realistic, attractive appearance.

Decide who is going to keep it. Like I said, some stores collect clothes hangers at the checkout, while others leave then with the clothes when they bag them. You may be able to justify a higher-end hanger if you reuse them. If you give them to your customers, you will probably want to place large wholesale orders for clothes hangers that are more affordable. It is really up to you.

Hangers are a vital sales tool in your retail store. Consider all of the elements of your shop, your business model, and the products that you sell before making a decision.