An emphasis on safety, speed and convenience is driving major changes to the face of specialty retail. While many make the wise move to incorporate ecommerce into their business plans, it is also important to focus on the crucial changes you’ll need to make to your physical location.

Distance Promoting Layouts

Many stores have already marked floors where people should stand and put up plexiglass barriers between cashiers and customers. This is expected to become even more prevalent and permanent. Consumers are showing their support for businesses that go above and beyond to ensure their safety, making these measures a worthwhile investment from both a health and business perspective.

Autonomous Shopping

While Amazon has been the leader in the autonomous store arena, there is room for small retailers to capitalize as the technology becomes more affordable. “I do think that those automated stores, especially the small format, will become very widely popular due to its accessibility, very easy to move, and very easy to fit into different places,” Gu said. “I think it also changes the notion of how people can shop.”

Drive-Thru Ready

The ability to order online and pick up immediately in store has become important to consumers as it provides the convenience of online shopping without the shipping charges. It can also allow for same-day pick-up, providing the instant gratification that is missing from traditional ecommerce websites. While you won’t necessarily need a drive-thru window like a fast food establishment, setting up a designated area outside your store reserved for online pick-up will be necessary.

Air Quality Control

Air quality is a major concern of consumers looking to visit physical stores. Taking measures to improve air quality can help keep your staff and customers safe. There are three different ways you can approach improving the air quality within your store.

• Source Control Methods i.e. Identifying the pollution source and removing it from our environments.
• Natural and Mechanical Ventilation Methods i.e. Replacing indoor air with outdoor air through a mechanical fan system or through windows/other openings.
• Air Cleaning Technology Methods i.e. Targeting pollutants in the indoor air with filtration and purification devices.

Product Placement

“According to an article from Deloitte, people are less likely to browse and more likely to get in, get out without interacting with people, or touch products unnecessarily. Because of this, retailers should consider product placement and the simplicity of the shopping experience. People are more likely to avoid a store if the layout is complex, or if everyday items are further toward the back of the store.”

Quikstone Capital provides specialty retail owners the capital they need to grow.