You only have one shot at making the best first impression on your prospective customer when they walk into your retail space. Looks are important and everything in your store’s design from lighting and wall colours has the potential to make the customer feel welcome, encourage exploration and increase sales.
The following tips will help you design a great retail space that attracts customers to your store:
Window displays: Some retailers state that a customer’s shopping experience begins with a window display. A beautiful window display entices pedestrians into your store. It should be well designed and positioned in a way that it can be clearly seen by everyone. It is a strong attraction for impulse buyers and those who are curious to see what your shop has to offer.
Store layout: The moment a customer walks in the door, they’ve already made up their mind on the type of experience they will get at your store. It begins with a layout that gives off a positive, welcoming vibe. Your layout should provide guidance, leading the shopper through each aisle with a visual clue, good lighting or engaging display that compels them to take a closer look.
Create a design in tune with your audience: It’s important that your retail store should reflect a style your target audience is used to; know your audience and ensure you create a décor that fits. For example, if you sell children books, you’ll want to use bright colours, place comfy chair where they can peruse books, use bold images of the cover photo to pique their interest and keep the shelves low for easy reach.
Upsell by displaying impulse-buy products at checkout: This is a popular technique used by e-commerce stores to increase conversion. It also works for retail brands. When people get to the checkout line, they are unsure if they have everything they need, looking around to see if they missed anything. Some shoppers stack on items they find at the checkout counter. Only choose items that complement the average buyer’s shopping journey for relevance and efficacy.
Accents and focal points: Today’s shopper prefers a clutter-free shopping experience. Highlight specific areas with focal points. Pick a bestselling item and surround it with vibrant choices and complementary pieces that match the focal item.
Use comfy benches and chairs to encourage shoppers to spend more time in your store. Your aisle, displays and floors should have sufficient space for the customer to walk without brushing up against another shopper. The waiting area is especially important for large stores that stock lots of items. Customers can rest in between walks. Seats should face the merchandise to ensure their eyes are on your products.
Home baked cookies: Nothing makes a customer feel more welcome and at home in your store like the allure of fresh, home-baked cookies. They make the shopper feel content and settled in your store while enhancing their shopping experience.
Safety:
No matter how good your store looks, you want to make sure it is a safe place for your customers to explore. Make sure you keep the shop floor tidy and that there’s no obvious risk to your buyers. No matter how big or small your business, it’s best to make sure you have insurance just in case something goes wrong.
Conclusion
Mirrors are a tried and tested design trend for many retail stores. Change it up once in a while to give your store a fresh look. Declutter and create more space to tap into your customer’s mindset. Ensure your store has lots of warm lighting and fresh air. Define your message according to your store zone.