A retail store’s layout and design often count as a customer’s first impression of a business, and where the retail store’s exterior is responsible for attracting passers by, the store’s interior is much more important as it welcomes the actual consumer.
The layout and design of a retail store communicates a significant amount of information about the retailer to the consumer. And if the store’s interior is inviting, comfortable and convenient, and also uses it’s interior space efficiency and effectively, it can equate to huge profit for the business.
When it comes to your store’s retail design, here are some things you need to consider.
The way you arrange your products in store
A well designed and well thought out store can not only make your business look good, but it can also increase sales.
The entrance of your store gives the first impression of your store, therefore you want it to be welcoming and attractive. Most retail stores have a wide entrance to make their customers feel welcome, and lots of retail stores also use transparent glass so that customers can have a glimpse into the store and at their products as they walk past. That being said, some high-end retailers sometimes choose a more closed design to give the store a sense of exclusivity.
Stores also rotate their stock in the windows frequently and monitor if there are any changes in foot traffic when there are different variations of merchandise featured. Stores can also use a retail design agency in order to monitor what works well when it comes to their customers.
Seating areas in stores
You might have noticed that most bookstores offer seating areas so that their customers can take their time and browse at the books, which can increase their likelihood to buy. Some bookstores often place the seats near the fiction section, so that customers can start browsing the early chapters of books in order to get them invested in the story.
However, interior design doesn’t only consider the customers that are going to be making the purchase, but the people who will be accompanying them as well.
In some retailers like shoe stores and clothing stores, you can sometimes find an extra couch for people to sit in. This allows companions such as a spouse or children to relax and puts less pressure on your customers so that they can take their time looking around the store.
The point of sale design
The point of sale design (or POS for short) refers to the form of sales promotion found near, on, or close to the point of purchase.
POS displays are designed to encourage cross-selling and up-selling at the till point, and they make customers aware of additional products and services while they are in the purchasing state of mind. Sometimes these point of sale promotions can spotlight product features and its benefits, and most include a punchy call to action such as “buy now” which creates a sense of urgency with the product and motivates immediate purchases.
They can also show the product in use, as visual imagery helps to create a desire among customers. They can also be interactive, using new retail technologies such as QR codes and augmented reality, as these allow the customer to interact at the point of sale using their mobiles.
