First things first, what is a retail store design? A retail store design is a well thought out strategy that aims to optimise both the space and sales of your retail store. There are a variety of factors that go into a retails store design, including floor plans and store layout, window displays and retail space, or even the lighting! All of these potential areas ultimately have the same aim - to draw people in, lead to maximum product exposure and hopefully increase sales. The retail landscape has become more competitive than ever, and in order to be successful in this ever changing climate it’s essential to have a strong retail store design to be able to draw customers to enquiring about a product and potentially leading to a purchase. Whether your store is preparing to reopen, or you just want to make improvements to ensure you’re getting the most out of your store layout, we’ve put together a few tips to help you optimise your retail store design.
Our Retail Store Design Tips
The pandemic-lead changes have forced the retail sector to adapt. With the shift to online shopping, and the simplicity that comes with the process, it’s essential to incorporate the ease and safety that comes with online retail into your store.Optimise Sales With Modern Technology
Ensure to make use of modern technology and the benefits it brings throughout your store layout! QR codes have also made quite a comeback over the past year, as they served as a good solution for more hygienic customer interactions. These could be incorporated into in store displays and signs meaning that customers could scan if they wanted to learn more about your products or retail store. It’s also beneficial to remember how much consumers love their mobiles phones and social media, so by making any signs and displays photogenic you’ll be encouraging and drawing customers to spread the word via social media. Which can drive traffic to both your physical and online stores.Branded Signage
Branded signage is a good strategy as it helps to clearly label where products can be found, and acts as a visual aid to break up aisles. Uninterrupted aisles can lead customers to skim past items, but by using visuals that bring attention to special offers, it will encourage them to purchase items that they may have otherwise missed. The use of bespoke point of sale units at the checkout counter can be used to entice customers into buying impulse items.Current Procedures
With the stores reopening it’s important to ensure that safety of both customers and staff is prioritised. The implementation of social distancing measures through branded social distancing signage and floor stickers, will help to ensure your store is safe and help to impose Government guidelines. Floor stickers can also be used to help direct customers around the store, organise queuing points, and bring attention to sanitising stations.Engage Via Window Displays
First impressions count! Your window displays and storefront will serve to either attract customers into your store or push them away. So ensure that your storefront, and it’s surroundings, act to encourage customers into your store. Retail window displays are an engaging way to help showcase new products and sale items. When you launch a new product or service, dedicate the whole window storefront to that.Eye Catching Marketing Tools
You can help to expand brand awareness by advertising and marketing your store through the use of a variety of outdoor POS. Bollard covers act as an eye catching marketing tool that, typically located in high traffic areas, help to direct customers into your store. Another simple way to increase brand awareness is posters! These POS could also have QR codes on them to enable customers to learn more about products whilst out and about. Spread far and wide these help reach out to consumers that may not have come across your store previously. These outdoor POS will also act as a marketing tool, with customer snapping and posting them on social media. So make sure they are as eye catching and appealing as possible!Ensure A Smooth Memorable Customer Experience
The smoother the customer experience the better. Whether online or in a retail store, work to ensure that the check out process is simple and as quick as possible. Long waits, or slow loading pages can lead customers to abandon their shopping or drop off the site.Make The Layout Based Around In-Store Traffic
There are a few things to consider when it comes to figuring out the best layout from your store. Research has shown that in the UK customers tend to make their way around a store in a clockwise direction, so this can be adapted into the stores layout by ensuring the best and most enticing products are located in accordance with this. Figuring out which direction customers tend to travel in around the store will help you set up seasonal and sale displays where customers can’t miss. This will work to help drive sales and encourage impulse buys!Break Up Product Sessions
Signage also helps to clearly label where products can be found, and acts as a visual aid to break up aisles. Uninterrupted aisles can lead customers to skim past items, but by using visuals that bring attention to special offers, it will encourage them to purchase items that they may have otherwise missed. The use of bespoke point of sale units at the checkout counter can be used to entice customers into buying impulse items.Avoid Products In Immediate Entrance
It’s important to ensure that your layout design serves to both optimise sales, and ensure a smooth and memorable customer experience. Products that are placed in the immediate entrance of the store can often be overlooked by customers, so place any new seasonal items near, but not quite at the front, of the store. This will help to encourage customers in and lightly further into the store will help to encourage customers in, and hanging signs and shelf wobblers are an engaging way to draw attention to particular items throughout the store.Utilise Your Own Facilities
Ensure that you set the right atmosphere for your store. Utilities such as lighting can really make or break a customer's experience. Dimly lit stores that make it hard for customers to see the products will likely put customers off from returning.How Can Simpson Group Help?
Simpson Group provides a selection of point of sale/point of purchase marketing materials. Our designers and client services team with you and guide you through the whole process, from the initial idea to the finished product. Interested in finding out more? Then contact the team today!