Retail Design and Layouts That Will Give Your Store a Boost
We all know that consumers are visual people. When they walk into a retail store or somewhere like a restaurant or bakery, then there is so much sensory information that is sent from our eyes to our brains. In fact, around
80% of the information that our brain receives
is what we see. As a retailer, you need to be able to take advantage of this and make sure that you have a shopfront and retail space that is going to attract people’s attention for all of the right reasons. That is why the retail design that you choose plays a big part. If you have a physical retail store, rather than an online one, then it is so important to make sure that you take some time to look at what you have to sell, in order to make it look good and to really maximize sales conversions.
If you aren’t sure what you can do to improve your retail space, to really draw customers in, and give retail a much-needed boost, then here are some design insights that could help.
Create an immersive experience for shoppers
A great retail space is not just about having pristine displays and good-looking visual merchandising. It is all about using the space that you have to create an immersive experience for your shoppers. When you are planning your space, think about what the space could be used for, for something a little different. What is the overall experience that you would want your shoppers to have? If you want them to leave happy and feeling good, then what could you do to help that? Many beauty brands, such as Lush and Aesop , offer immersive shopping experiences in their stores, with testing, displays, and even some beauty treatments and mini-salons in store.
Of course, what you’re able to do will depend on the kind of business that you have, but thinking outside the box with your design, and overall experience in-store, can make a big difference.
Create your layout considering the store’s flow of traffic
When you are designing your retail space, then it is natural to think about putting the best sellers upfront in the store or use the most enticing displays first. In order to do this, you have to think about what route people take around the store. Is this something that you can assess, or perhaps you will create the route for them with your store layout? The good news about this is that there is a lot of research into this topic by retail experts. In many cases, the flow of traffic goes along with the vehicular flow of where you live, so this could definitely be something to consider with your layout.
Make it a safe and secure place to be
When you have a retail space, you need to think about keeping customers safe. If you have broken concrete in the car park or out the front of the store, then this can be hazardous and something that is best to avoid. You can learn more about concrete repair and making sure that it is safe, as well as look at other aspects of your store. A door that is automatic, rather than one that needs to be opened, can help to make your store safe and accessible, as well as considerations like the temperature to make it a comfortable place to be. If someone does have a bad experience with something that is unsafe, then not only can it be costly to you, but it can also be something that impacts your reputation.
Add breaks into the store layout
Having a range of the same kinds of fixtures or stands can be repetitive, and mean that some shoppers skip over certain items. When it all looks the same, it is going to be hard for consumers to be able to find something that they are interested in, especially if they are just there to browse. Long and uninterrupted aisles can lead to the merchandise being skipped, which isn’t going to be a good thing for your business .
One recommendation to counter this is to create some real visual breaks in and amongst the aisles. These breaks could be signage, displays, or something else to break up the clothing (or whatever items your store sells). You can see that even grocery stores take this approach, with a lot of large signage and attention-grabbing details found at the ends of the aisles. You could also think about making the break in the merchandise be something interactive like a tablet with an online category that people can browse from, or something fun with selfies and filters (again, depending on the kind of retail business that you have).
Create a focal point for all of your displays
It can be quite tempting to bring some attention to other things that are going on in-store, and showcase all that you have to offer. However, a tried-and-tested way of doing things is to have a focal point for your displays, ideally at eye level, to create an effective way to draw people’s attention in. From window displays to middle of the floor signage, shelving, or rails, having a focal point can be a really important thing for your sales and conversions.
With a focal point, the displays that you have are going to have a much bigger chance to hook the attention of the shoppers. When they are hooked, then they are going to quite naturally see what else there is to see around the focal point. It really does help.
If you have a retail store then you will know just how tough it can be to get customers through the door, let alone get them to part with their money. When you think carefully about your retail space, with the design, safety, and layout, it can make a difference to the success of your store.
Create the shopper experience with sustainability in mind
Today’s shoppers are more eco-conscious or shop with sustainability in mind. Bring to the forefront any sustainable business strategies you employ; for example, if you are in a LEED building make sure to provide signage demonstrating that, as well as, any energy savings measures you are taking. Provide eco-friendly packaging. Inform customers of your sustainable vendors. Be mindful of your shopper’s expectations around sustainability and use their feedback to improve on your green business practices.
What changes do you think you will start to make? It would be interesting to hear your thoughts.
