Your specialty retail store layout should focus primarily on the customer experience and moving merchandise. With the cost of commercial space being so high it is important to maximize every square foot in your store. There are many common store layouts that can be followed, or you can take it upon yourself to create your own design, much the way Apple has done with their retail outlets. A proper design should allow customers to browse comfortably while still maintaining sufficient shelf space to display a wide range of products. Here we’ve identified six key aspects to consider when finalizing your design.

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 and even more so in clothing stores. 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. Best selling 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.

Dressing Rooms

Your dressing rooms should be comfortable and give your customers a sense of security when using them. Make sure you have ample space for people to change and hooks to hold their clothing as well as your merchandise. Be sure you have a checkout counter where you take inventory of each item entering your fitting rooms.

With over 12 years in the business, Quikstone Capital Solutions has proven to be a trustworthy and knowledgeable lender specializing in small business funding. Over 60% of our clients are renewals looking to continuously grow their business. If you are in need of a cash to cover unexpected costs, or if you’re looking to make long overdue improvements, a merchant cash advance could be right for you. With the ability to quickly qualify and get your money in a timely fashion, there is no more convenient option. 

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