GB2438652A

GB2438652A - Display and storage apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2438652A
Application number: GB0610963A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kate Weir
Original assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2006-06-02
Filing date: 2006-06-02
Publication date: 2007-12-05
Also published as: EP1862096A2; DE202007007789U1; FR2902298A1; EP1862096A3; GB0610963D0; FR2902298B1

Abstract

A display and storage apparatus 20 for products comprises a plurality of product holders 22, 24 where each of the product holders 22, 24 has a product characteristic display means 30, 32 which gives an indication of a characteristic of the product in the holder 22, 24. The product holders are preferably substantially tubular in construction and may have a dispensing means in the form of a hinged flap at the front of the tube, preferably with a lip 36, 36 to prevent the products falling out when they are inclined to bias the products to the front of the product holder 22, 24. The product characteristic display means 30, 32 may be located on the hinged flaps. Containers 26, 28 can be used as the product display means and may hold samples of the product in the holder 22, 24. The product holders 22, 24 may be fitted with protrusions that allow the holders 22, 24 to be fitted on to a frame or cabinet. The product holders 22, 24 may be used to hold paint tins or pots with the a product characteristic display showing the colour of the paint.

Description

1 2438652 Display Apparatus The present invention relates to a display

apparatus for products, and in particular, but not exclusively, for paint products. More particularly, from one aspect the present invention relates to a display stand which allows for a property of the product to be displayed in an orderly and aesthetically pleasing manner whilst storing the product for supply, and from a second aspect to a display stand comprising modular units from which the display stand is formed, thereby allowing for flexibility in the configuration of the display stand.

Within a retail environment the space which a retailer can devote to any particular product or range of products is limited, and in particular for reasons of the retailer wishing to maximise its product range to increase sales. This is particularly true within the hardware or DIY retail industry, wherein many different products, and many brands of products, are competing for a limited amount of retail space. The retail of paint products in particular suffers from this problem, as the individual items themselves (i.e. pots of paint) can be quite bulky, and there are often, in any one DIY store, several different brands of paint available. More problematic, however, is the fact that even within any particular brand, there may be a large number of individual different paint products, due to the extremely large number of paint colours available.

Problems can arise for consumers if the different colours of paint are simply placed in their pots on shelves, as it does not become possible for a consumer to view the entire colour range all at once. Moreover, it may be that an individual retailer simply does not have enough retail space to devote to the different colours available.

Within the paint industry one solution to the problem of having to provide many different colours of paint has been to introduce so called "tinting" systems, wherein paint of a desired colour is mixed on demand in the store. With such a solution it no longer becomes necessary to stock and display many tins of paint of different colours, and instead the retail space required for such stock can be devoted to a display of the colours available. One such display of the prior art used by the present applicant is shown in Figure 1. Here, a display 10 comprises sixteen blocks of stripe cards, arranged in four columns and four rows. Each block contains eight or nine different stripe cards 12, and each stripe card displays six different colours. The colours displayed on the stripe cards vary from left to right across the display according to the colours of the visible spectrum, with the colours varying in the columns down the array according to chromaticity and lightness. A similar colour display array is described in the applicant's own International patent application WO 2005/1 24301.

Whilst the use of "tinting" systems allows more space to be given over to cover displays of the type illustrated in Figure 1, from a commercial point of view it is in fact still ready mixed paint which forms the largest share of paint sales in many countries. Therefore, whilst the introduction of "tinting" systems alleviates some of the pressures of a lack of retail space as noted above, in view of the continuing prevalence of sales of ready mixed paint, such pressures still largely remain. In particular, heretofore no attempt has been made to produce a display stand suitable for paint which combines a colour display presented in an organised and aesthetically pleasing manner, with storage space for the actual paint product itself.

In view of the above, the present invention provides an apparatus which permits products, such as containers of paint, to be stored within product holders which may be positioned proximal to each other to produce a display stand. Each product holder is provided with a device or other means to indicate a characteristic of the product within the container, such as, when the product is paint, a colour of the paint. The product holders are arranged to be stackable in a display stand so as to save space, and the combination of storing the products within the actual product display saves on retail space, whilst providing an enhanced consumer experience.

From a first aspect, therefore, the present invention provides a display and storage apparatus for products, comprising: a plurality of product storage holders each arranged to store a plurality of products; each product holder being further provided with a product characteristic display means to indicate a characteristic of the products contained within the storage holder, the product characteristic display means being arranged so as to be visible by a product consumer.

Preferably, the product storage holders are respectively arranged such that the respective display means may be visible to the product consumer all together. This allows a consumer to view the range of products to make a selection.

From another aspect the invention provides a display and storage stand for products, comprising: a plurality of substantially identical modular product storage holders; and a holder fixing system to which said holders may be affixed in a desired configuration or pattern; said product storage holders further providing, at their proximal ends to a customer when in use, a product identification device to identify a characteristic of the product contained within the holder.

From a third aspect there is also provided a colour display and paint storage system for displaying paint colours and storing containers of paint, comprising: a plurality of paint container holders, each holder being arranged to store therein a plurality of paint containers; each paint container holder having a paint colour identification device provided at a visible part thereof, so as to identify the colour of the paint contained within the paint containers stored within the holder.

Preferably, the paint container holders are respectively arranged in proximity to each other such that a user may view all of the paint colour identification devices together.

Further features of the invention will be apparent from the appended claims.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof, presented by way of example only, and by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, and wherein: -Figure 1 is a photograph of a prior art colour display array; Figure 2 is a side view of a display stand module of a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a front view of a display stand module of a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a top plan view of a display stand module of a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a front view of several display stand modules stacked together to form a display stand of the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 illustrates the display stand of the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a plan view showing how display stand modules may be stacked and secured to a back plate in embodiments of the present invention; Figure 8 is a view of a back plate which is used to secure display stand modules in embodiments of the present invention; Figure 9 is a view of a display stand according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 is a side view of a display stand module cut along the line AA and looking in the direction of the arrows at Figure 4; Figure 11 is a perspective view of a display stand according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 is a plan view of the configuration of display modules used in a first variant of the third embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 13 is a plan view of a configuration of display modules used in a second variant of the third embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention to be described provide display stands for the display of paint products, and in particular displaying the colour of the paint in an organised and aesthetically pleasing manner, whilst storing the actual paint product itself in pots, or at least tester sized pots, within the same stand. Thus, embodiments of the invention solve the problem of a lack of retail space by combining the functions of a colour display with those of product storage, thus saving valuable retail space.

Within the embodiments to be described the various display stands are formed of a modular construction centred around a basic display stand module 20, as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, and described next.

More particularly, a display stand module 20 comprises a tube structure of generally rectangular cross section, provided with a central partition wall to divide the structure into two parallel tubes 22 and 24. Each parallel tube is again of generally rectangular cross section. The parallel tubes 22 and 24 have parallel end walls which in use are arranged substantially vertically. The side walls of the parallel tubes are arranged such that the tubes extend at an angle to the horizontal in use, the angle X degrees shown in Figure 2 typically being of the order of 10 to 25 degrees. In this respect, as is apparent from Figure 2 a cross sectional view of the tubes shows the tubes to be generally parallelogram shaped. At what will be termed the proximal end of the module 20, being the end which in use faces the customer, hinged flaps 30 and 32 are provided, one for each tube 24 and 22. In particular, hinged flap 30 is hinged from the roof of tube 24, and extends to hang over the mouth of tube 24 at the proximal end thereof, whereas hinged flap 32 is hinged from the roof of tube 22, and extends to hang over the mouth of tube 22 at the proximal end thereof. Also located within the mouths of the tubes 24 and 22 at the proximal end are respective lip portions 34 and 36, lip portion 34 being provided within the mouth of tube 24, and lip portion 36 being provided within the mouth of tube 22. Together, the hinged flaps 30 and 32, and the lip portions 34 and 46 partially enclose the mouths of tubes 24 and 22, as shown in Figure 3. Each of the hinged flaps 32 and 30 are hinged so as to open outwards, as shown in dotted relief in Figure 3.

At the distal end of the module 20 (being the end furthest away from the customer in use) are connecting rings 38 and 40 to allow the module to be connected to a back plate in a display stand, together with guidance lugs 42 and 44 to enable alignment of the display module 20 within the display stand, and to aid in securing of the module therein. In particular, connecting rings 38 and 40 are provided in vertical alignment in the centre of the rear plate of the module 20, with guidance lugs 42 and 44 being provided respectively either side of the connecting rings, at the edges of the module.

These elements are visible in Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings.

Additionally provided on the upper surface of the display module 20 at the proximal end thereof are a pair of open containers 26 and 28. More particularly, open container 26 is provided mounted on the upper surface of tube 24, whereas open container 28 is provided on the upper surface of tube 22. The containers 26 and 28 are open topped, to allow for the easy placing and removal of objects therefrom.

Figure 10 illustrates how the display module 20 can be used to store products, and in particular products such as paint pots, such as tester pots or the like. In particular, Figure 10 illustrates a side view of a display stand module 20 in cross section, the cross section taken along the line A-A of Figure 4, and the view looking in the direction of the arrows. Figure 10 therefore illustrates several individual products 100 located within the interior of tube 22, and contiguously arranged along the tube. From Figure 10 it will be appreciated that the angled configuration of the display module 20 provides for the products 100 to be biased by gravity towards the proximal end of the display module 20. In order to retrieve a product 100, a user lifts the hinged flap 32 about its hinge, thus allowing the first product 100 (located at the left hand side of Figure 10) to be removed from the display stand module 20, through the now partially open proximal mouth of the tube 22. Once the first product has been removed, the angled configuration of the display stand module 20 causes the remaining products in the tube 22 to slide down the tube 22, towards the proximal end. The second and subsequent products can then be removed one at a time, by subsequent customers.

It should be noted that the tube 24 may also contain products in exactly the same maimer as shown in Figure 10 for the tube 22.

Placing of the products 100 within the tube is accomplished in the reverse manner. In particular, the hinged flap at the proximal mouth of the tube is lifted, and the products then inserted one at a time into each tube. Inserting a product into the tube causes the previously inserted product to be pushed up the tube.

When used in a display stand, each module 20 would preferably contain products of the same type, i.e. where the product is paint, paint of the same colour. The same type of product can be placed in both tubes 22 and 24, or a different type of product may be placed in tube 22, than in 24. For example, a different colour of paint may be placed in tube 22, than in tube 24. The outer surface of the hinged flaps 32 and 30 can conveniently be used to mount information as to the nature of the product contained within each respective tube. For example, where the product is paint, the outer surfaces of the hinged flaps 30 and 32 may bear coloured stickers, indicating the colour of the paint contained within each tube.

Additionally, the open containers 26 and 28 may also contain information concerning the products located within the module 20. Specifically, the container 28 should contain information about the products contained within tube 22, whereas the container 26 contains information relating to the products contained within tube 24.

Where the products are paint products, it is particularly envisaged that the containers 26 and 28 contain a stack of so called "chip" cards, being cards which are coated or printed with the colour of the paint contained within the display module 20. These cards are available in a stack, for customers to take away. The provision of information on the outer surfaces of the hinged flaps 30 and 32, as well as, additionally or alternatively, within the containers 26 and 28, allows for information concerning the product to be displayed in an orderly and aesthetically pleasing manner, such that a consumer may view the display and see all of the available products at the same time. Moreover, because the products can then be stored within the display modules 20 themselves, once a consumer has viewed the outer surface of the display comprising the outer surfaces of the hinged flaps 30 and 32, and the information in the containers 26 and 28, it is not necessary for that consumer to go and find the chosen product on a separate shelf. Instead, the product, or at least a test pot thereof, can be obtained from within the display module 20 itself.

Whilst the individual display modules 20 therefore provide for both a display of product information, as well as actual storage of a product in a manner which makes it readily accessible to a consumer, the full advantages of the present invention are obtained when multiple display modules 20 are used together to form a larger display.

Figure 5 illustrates an example, wherein four display modules 20 are stacked together to form a display stand 50. As shown in Figure 6, the display stand 50 can be incorporated within a cabinet, frame, or other container 60. The display stand 50 comprises four display stand modules 20 stacked in a two by two configuration. Each of the tubes 22 and 24 of each display module 20 may contain a different type of product, and the respective hinged flaps 30 and 32 of the tubes 24 and 22 contain respective information indicating a characteristic of the product. Advantageously where the products are tins of paints, or tester pots of paint, the hinged flaps 30 and 32 may display the colour of the paint contained within each respective tube.

Alternatively or additionally, as previously described, the respective open containers 26 and 28 of each display module 20 may also contain information in the form of colour cards relating to the colour of the paint within the containers in each respective tube.

Although the embodiment of Figure 5 illustrates four display modules 20 arranged in a two by two configuration to provide a display stand, it should be noted that due to the availability of the display stand modules 20, a display stand can be constructed with any desired configuration of modules. For example, display stands may be constructed with different numbers of display modules in each row or each column, and display stands may also be put together wherein the display modules are not necessarily contiguous, but instead have gaps in between. For example, display modules may be mounted in a display stand in a particular shape or configuration, so as to form certain shapes, such as an X shape, an 0 shape, a hollow square shape, or any other shape. Figure 9 illustrates a display stand 90 formed from display modules contained within a cabinet 92. The display modules 20 are mounted on a back panel 72, to be described later. In this case, the display modules 20 are mounted on the back panel to form a right angled triangle shape, which leaves empty space within the cabinet frame or container 90 (in this case to the left of the display modules) in which other material or infonnation, such as promotional material or artwork, may be placed. Various other configurations of display module 20 may be desirable, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations shown or described.

More generally, a display stand according to an embodiment of the invention may comprise an array of display modules, the array comprising n rows and m columns.

Each of the rows or each of the columns may contain the same number of display modules 20, or may contain different numbers, depending on the shape to be produced. Moreover, the rows andlor columns may be in alignment, or may be out of alignment, again depending on the desired final configuration of the display modules 20. Additionally, within a row or column the display modules 20 may be located contiguous to each other, or may be spaced apart. For example, a "checkerboard" pattern of display modules may be obtained, where along a row a space is maintained between each module, and each row is not in alignment, instead being offset by a space. Various configurations are available depending on the desired final effect, and the modular nature of the display stand allows such configurations to be achieved.

The ability to configure display stands as desired using the display modules 20 depends in part on the modular construction of the display stand using the display module 20, and the ability to fasten the display modules in an appropriate location.

We described previously how each display module 20 is provided with fastening rings 38 and 40, as well as guidance lugs 42 and 44. Figure 8 illustrates a display back panel 72 which is provided with holes located in a certain pattern to match the connecting rings 38 and 40, and guidance lugs 42 and 44 on the back of each display module 20. Tn particular, as shown in Figure 8, the back panel 72 comprises numerous display module connection "footprints", with each footprint containing the necessary holes within the back panel 72 to receive the above described connection elements of the display module. In particular, each back panel "footprint" 80 contains a hole 844 for receiving guidance lug 44, a hole 842 for receiving guidance lug 842, and holes 838, and 840 for receiving connecting rings 38 and 40 respectively. A display module 20 is fastened to the back panel 72 by inserting the connecting elements 38, 40, 42, and 44 into holes 838, 840, 842, and 844 respectively at a connection footprint. As shown in Figure 7, the connection rings 38 and 40 protrude out of the rear surface of the back panel 72, and connection bolts can then be placed through the rings 38 and 40 in order to secure a display module 20 to the back panel.

As also shown in Figure 7, multiple display modules 20 may be stacked one on top of the other, by connection to respective vertically aligned connection footprints in the back panel 72.

Preferably, the back panel 72 forms the rear surface of a cabinet, frame, or container (see Figure 9) within which the display modules 20 are contained. Appropriate patterns for the display modules for any particular display stand can then be set by simply inserting display modules as desired into the appropriately located connection footprints in the back panel 72.

Additionally, the back plate 72 may not be arranged such that the connection footprints are arranged contiguously in rows and columns as shown in Figure 8.

Instead, a back plate for any particular display stand could be arranged to have connection footprints only in those areas where it is desired to locate a display module. Thus, if display modules are to be located to provide a configuration of the display stand such that the display modules together form a particular shape, then the back plate 72 can be formed with connection footprints to match that shape.

It should also be noted that the present invention is not limited to the particular mode of securing of the display stands using the connecting rings 38 and 40, guidance lugs 42 and 44, and the form of the back plate 72, and in other embodiments different modes of connection may be used. For example, the display stand modules may be provided on their rear surface thereof with a connection element arranged to allow the display stand module to be coimected to a vertical or horizontal pole located at the back of a display, which poles may be mounted between the store shelving racks.

Various other connection systems for mounting of the individual display modules within a display stand will be apparent to those skilled in the art, any of which may be used in embodiments of the invention.

A third, particularly preferred, embodiment of a display stand using the display modules 20 is shown in Figure 11. Here, a display stand 110 comprises a plurality of display stand modules 20 arranged in eleven rows. The top five rows contain eight display stand modules contiguously arranged side by side. The sixth row then contains six display stand modules, with the seventh and eighth rows only containing five display stand modules contiguously arranged in a row side by side. The ninth row contains four display stand modules, while the tenth and eleventh rows contain three display stand modules, and two display stand modules respectively. Each of the rows is aligned to the left hand wall of the cabinet 1102 such that the sixth to eleventh rows produce a staggered effect. Moreover, having reduced numbers of display modules in the sixth to eleventh rows from the top of the display stand leaves room within the stand for artistic and marketing information. In particular, a display panel 116 can be provided in the area of the display stand not taken up by the display stand modules 20, on which can be provided graphical information 118, as well as examples of actual products 120. Space can also be provided for guide books 122, and for additional graphics or artwork 124.

In an alternative embodiment, each of the sixth, seventh and eighth rows contains six display stand modules.

Within the third embodiment the product to be stored within the stand is containers of paint, and the hinged flaps 30 and 32 contain coloured outer surfaces bearing the colour of the paint in each module. Additionally provided are the open-top containers on each display stand module, containing stacks of colour "chip" cards, being cards bearing the paint colour.

In further embodiments the number of display stand modules may of course be varied, and any number of display stand modules may be provided in a row, to provide the pattern of modules required. Additionally, the number of display stand modules and their arrangement can be set in dependence on the array of colours which are to be displayed; where more colours of different hues are to be displayed, then more display modules may be included in a row. Similarly, where more colours of substantially the same hue but with different chromaticity and lightness values are to be included, then more modules may be included in a column.

The display stand 110 may further be provided with an optional header board 112, listing the names of the colours. Figure 11 also shows how stacks of colour cards 114 can be provided in the holders 26 or 28, the colour cards being provided for users to take away.

Figures 12 and 13 show two variants of the Figure 11 embodiments, and in particular illustrate a cross sectional view looking down on any of the first to fifth rows of the display stand. in particular, it can be seen that within the preferred embodiment the display stand modules 20 are staggered in a horizontal direction with respect to each other along the row so as to give the impression along the row that the display stand is substantially curved.

More particularly, from Figures 12 and 13 it will be seen that the end display modules in any particular row are situated further forward i.e. in the direction of the user than the display stand modules located next to the end modules, and so on towards the middle of the row. The display stand modules located in the middle of the row are located further back in a horizontal plane than any of the other modules. As noted, this staggered arrangement gives the impression of the display stand being curved.

In order to produce such a staggered arrangement, the back panel 144 is provided in a stepped configuration to match the desired arrangement of the display modules. Such a stepped configuration is illustrated in Figures 12 and 13.

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate how for any particular deployment the rear surface of the display stand may be made flush with the rear surface 140 of the store shelving, (as shown in Figure 12), or alternatively may be brought forward from the rear surface of the store shelving, so as to project slightly forward of the front of the store shelving (see Figure 13).

Concerning the arrangement of colours within the display stand 110, within the preferred embodiment shown the left hand most column of display modules preferably contains colours which can be described as neutral colours i.e. beiges, browns, and creams. Similarly, the second most column from the left also contains similar colours, but with different chromaticity and lightness properties. For the colours in the remainder of the columns, within the preferred embodiment proceeding from the left colours are selected for those columns which generally have a hue angle in the CIELAB colour space which generally increases from reds through to yellows, greens, blues, and violets. Of course, in other embodiments, the colours may instead progress in the opposite direction i.e. from right to left, instead of left to right. That is, for any particular row of display stand modules in an embodiment, and particularly for the first to fifth rows, it can be more generally said that over a majority of the display stand modules 20 in a row, the colours chosen for the display stand module 20 have a generally increasing hue angle in the CIELAB colour space along the row, in either direction. Increasing hue angle in the CIELAB colour space corresponds to colours which progress according to the colours of the visible light spectrum. In terms of how the colours change down the columns of the display

stand, as noted previously, for any particular column colours are chosen which are generally the same hue, or which cover a small hue angular range in the CIELAB colour space.

However, although the colours of display stand modules within such a column will meet these hue requirements, the chromaticity and lightness properties of the colours change along the column. More particularly, within the third embodiment of Figure 11, colours are chosen such that the chromaticity and lightness values increase down the columns. Thus, generally, the darkest colours are located at the top of the display stand, and the lighter colours at the bottom. Of course, in other embodiments the reverse may be true, and the chromaticity and lightness properties may instead decrease down the column.

An exception to the above can be made for the some rows in the display stand. More particularly, for example, in the preferred embodiment of Figure lithe very first row in the preferred embodiment contains generally light colours, i.e. almost white but with a hint of colour. For the colours in the very first row, therefore, the chromaticity and lightness values are very high.

More generally, however, for a given embodiment the arrangement of colours across the display stand can be characterised in that the hue angle of the colour generally increases over a majority of a row along the row, and the chromaticity and lightness values generally increase over a majority of a column along the column. More particularly, in some embodiments the hue angle may generally increase over a majority of a row from left to right, and the chromaticity and lightness values generally increase over a majority of the column from top to bottom, where in other embodiments the opposite may be true. Of course, in yet further embodiments the hue angle may increase from left to right and the chromaticity and lightness values from bottom to top, or vice versa. With any such arrangements of colours, an aesthetically pleasing display stand is produced, which also allows for ready organisation of the available colours on display. Additionally, the ability of the display stand to also store pots of the product, or at least tester pots of the product, means that retail space is advantageously used for both product characteristic display i.e. in the case of paint,

S S

colour display, and also product storage in a manner that the products are accessible to consumers, once product seiecfion has been made.

Claims

Claims 1. A display and storage apparatus for products, comprising: a

plurality of product storage holders each arranged to store a plurality of products; each product holder being further provided with a product characteristic display means to indicate a characteristic of the products contained within the storage holder, the product characteristic display means being arranged so as to be visible by a product consumer.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the product holders are of substantially tubular construction, and extend from a rear of the apparatus towards a front of the apparatus, the product being contained in line within the tubular product holders.

3. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 or 2, and further comprising a dispensing means to allow for products to be dispensed from the product holders one atatime.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the dispensing means comprise a hinged flap provided at a mouth of the product storage holder.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the dispensing means further comprise a lip provided at a mouth of the product storage holder, and extending into the mouth to partially block said mouth.

6. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the product characteristic display means comprise a hinged flap provided on the product holder, an outer surface of which visible to the product consumer bearing information relating to the product characteristic.

7. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the product characteristic display means comprises a container provided on an upper surface of the product holder, and arranged to contain information relating to the product.

8. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the product holders are further arranged to bias products contained therein towards the front of the holder for retrieval therefrom by the product consumer.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the product holders are angled to the horizontal, whereby to bias said products.

10. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is a display stand, further comprising a cabinet within which said product holders are to be mounted, a product holder fixing means being provided at the rear of said cabinet and providing connections for fixing the product holders in place.

11. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the product holders are substantially identical, whereby the apparatus can be constructed to a desired size and configuration in a modular fashion.

12. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the products are containers of paint, and the product characteristic display means display a colour of the paint as the product characteristic.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the product holders are arranged in rows, and the respective display means display colours which over a majority of a row along the row, the hue angle of the displayed colour in the CIELAB colour space generally increases.

14. An apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the product holders are arranged in columns, and the respective display means display colours which over a majority of a column along the column, the chromaticity and lightness values of the displayed colour generally increase.

15. A display and storage stand for products, comprising: a plurality of substantially identical modular product storage holders; and a holder fixing system to which said holders may be affixed in a desired configuration or pattern; said product storage holders further providing, at their proximal ends to a customer when in use, a product identification device to identify a characteristic of the product contained within the holder.

16. A colour display and paint storage system for displaying paint colours and storing containers of paint, comprising: a plurality of paint container holders, each holder being arranged to store therein a plurality of paint containers; each paint container holder having a paint colour identification device provided at a visible part thereof, so as to identify the colour of the paint contained within the paint containers stored within the holder.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein the paint container holders are arranged in rows and/or columns in an order dependent on the colour identified by the holder's paint colour identification device.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein the paint container holders are arranged in rows such that the hues of the identified colours vary substantially in the order of the colours of the visible light spectrum along the row.

19. A system according to claim 17, wherein the paint container holders are arranged in columns such that the chromaticity and lightness of the identified colours increase along the column.

20. A system according to any of claims 16 to 20, wherein the paint container holders are arranged in a matrix comprising n rows, and m columns.

21. A system according to claim 20, wherein the number of holders in each row and/or column is not equal.

22. A paint display stand substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.