Window shopping isn’t just a phrase coined by frugal mall dwellers, but rather a term studied extensively by retailers across the world to help lure shoppers into their store. Many companies that provide those retailers with lighting, flooring and designs are members of The Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.), a nonprofit trade association representing the retail environments industry, with 700-plus member companies including retail design firms and suppliers of store fixtures, visual merchandising products, materials, equipment and services.

While window displays year round are carefully planned, special attention is paid to holiday displays. In fact, thousands flock to New York City every year to check out the famous store-windows along Fifth Avenue.

That’s why Boardroom client A.R.E. is hosting the annual Retail Design Collective with more than 35 jaw-dropping retail showroom displays. Retailers from around the world are invited check out these displays in the shopping capital of the world during the quintessential holiday season to help jog their creativity and come up with ideas for their own businesses to springboard into 2015.

The event begins on Wednesday, December 3 and continues through Friday, December 5.

When: December 3-5, 2014. Showrooms open 10am-5pm each day

Where: Metropolitan Pavilion; 125 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011

Other showrooms will be open at various locations around the city. Click here for a map.

So, the next time you go shopping, check out the store windows and remember that there is a lot of thought behind those mannequins!