How To Redesign Your Retail Shop To Increase Sales

Posted by Karen Erdelac on Jan 4, 2019

How To Redesign Your Retail Shop To Increase SalesThe layout of your retail shop has a significant impact on the perception of your business as well as your bottom line.  Your store should be clean, comfortable and inviting.  Products should be placed strategically and the customer experience should come first.  Here’s how to get started.

Exterior

The exterior of your establishment provides the first impression you give off to potential customers and passersby.  Your storefront should reflect the desired vibe of your business and be welcoming enough to draw in foot traffic.  A clean exterior along with signage and window displays can be a beacon for customers.  Some simple power washing and paint can make a world of difference for your store’s exterior.

Entrance

Often times customers will make decisions regarding affordability, cleanliness and available products the moment they walk in the door. Displaying signature items as well as affordable options along your entrance way will give customers an accurate portrayal of the rest of your store. Be sure not to crowd this area, as there should be a transition zone between the entrance and the main store to give patrons a chance to decompress and take an overview of your store.

Aisles

If your design involves aisles, which most will, you want to make sure they are easy to navigate and that your shelves aren’t so imposing that they cloud the atmosphere of your store. You want to ensure your customers don’t end up bunched together and unable to walk through your store freely. This plays a major role in the customer experience. Be mindful of your space as creating too much may inhibit your ability to display a proper amount of merchandise.

Lighting

Lighting is extremely important in retail shops. Not only does lighting affect the atmosphere, if used properly it can highlight certain products and draw attention to featured items and sales. No one wants to walk into a dimly lighted clothing store. Be sure you have plenty of soft lighting so all of your merchandise is well lit without blinding your customers.

Product Placement

Every storeowner realizes the importance of product placement but very few understand how to do so in a strategic way. Bestselling and featured items should be placed at your customer’s eye level so they are the first thing they see. Impulse items should be placed near checkout to ensure you can take advantage of that buying impulse.  Sale items should be placed near the back of the store so customers need to navigate through, and view, the rest of your merchandise before getting to it.

Security

Theft is a major issue in small retail stores as many lack the kind of surveillance and security of the larger box stores. When designing your layout, you want to be mindful of blind spots and install mirrors and cameras where necessary. While it is nearly impossible to thwart all theft, having an efficient layout that allows you to view most, if not all, of your store will help improve your chances of keeping your products secure.

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Topics: Specialty Retail