Although every retail store is different, they all have one goal and one goal only: to get customers over the threshold and influence them to part with their cash. Retailers have tried everything from playing music, to filling their stores with alluring scents – and while it is nothing new, there is a real art to getting it right.
It starts with retail store design, from the initial planning through to implementation and delivery, the trick to getting retail store design right is understanding the customer.
EYE-CATCHING VISUAL MERCHANDISING
The power of retail window design should never be underestimated. A striking piece of visual merchandising will capture shoppers’ attention. Window displays are usually the first point of visual contact a customer has with a store and can often be the difference between a customer entering to see more, or just walking on by.
SLOW DOWN THE CUSTOMER JOURNEY IN THE STORE
Modern consumers are extremely busy and have a tendency to shop in a hurry. It is the job of retail interior design to slow down this journey and increase dwell time in the store, encouraging customers to slow down, browse and potentially discover something new.
MARK OUT THE CUSTOMER PATHWAY AROUND THE STORE
Similarly, retailers will know the path they want customers to take around their store. They will have a clear idea of which products should lead where and how they want customers to end up at the till. Stores need to make this journey clearly apparent to shoppers.
BE BOLD, CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE WITH STORE DESIGN
With an increasing number of shoppers turning to e-commerce to purchase products, it’s all the more important for brands to make their retail spaces enticing and interactive. Focusing on that physical experience that e-commerce lacks is the key to keeping stores busy. The physical space can be smaller and the levels of stock can be lower but the actual experience needs to be more stimulating. One way of doing this is to focus on retail interior design. This allows brands the opportunity to be bold with their spaces and attract customers in an entirely new way.
AERATE THE STORE DESIGN AND LAYOUT
While innovative and creative interior design can pack a punch, it is vital that retailers give their consumers some breathing space. Busy, over-crowded retail environments can give the impression that products are of a lesser quality. Instead, it is vital that there are gaps in the store design to allow customers space to think and move around more freely.
