The interior designs of high street shops demonstrate, like our personal living spaces, the same disposition for trends. Certain styles gain favour and, suddenly, the neighbourhood begins to adopt similar aesthetics or variations on their themes.
The same is true for the practical aspects of such spaces with gadgets, such as smart doorbells and hot water taps, becoming gradually more commonplace, so do retail technologies, improving the operation and shopping experience of retail ventures across the country. Retailers, as such, would do well to maintain an awareness of such trends, since this would allow them to ensure their shop space does not fall behind in either style or functionality.
At Crown Display, we see a lot of retail trends develop and, as a result, are able to advise on upcoming, valuable, and stylish designs that are worth considering.
Eco-Design
As phrases such as circular economy and carbon negative become more frequently used by consumers, retailers are seeking to adapt their interior designs to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly design, aligning their brand ethics with those of sustainability focussed customers.
This means an increase in ethically sourced retail materials, those that are associated with shop assets like shelving and slatwall, as well as a focus on considered manufacturing. Other endeavours, such as upcycling and recycling, are becoming more familiar within the retail environment, as is a focus on what is considered to be a more natural aesthetic, with shop spaces utilising natural light over artificial lighting.
Future Shopping
Technological developments have always fuelled change within the retail environment, notably through transactions, recently leading to increasingly compact, even mobile, checkout services, with employees being able to perform transactions with only a portable tablet.
Now, there are a number of new technologies being adopted by those brands at the forefront of retail design, such as smart mirrors and AR catalogues. H&M, for example, has been pushing smart mirror technology for some time, assets that allow customers to try on clothing virtually, swapping colours and styles instantly, as well as giving them the option for instant selfies.
Other brands, such as Boots and the Co-op, are trialling delivery services, collaborating with known couriers, such as JustEat and Uber, to extend their services to same-day deliveries.
Statement Spaces
Social media platforms have also played a huge role in the development of retail spaces and, increasingly, brands are seeking to develop eye-catching, statement designs within their shop environments. This is largely to encourage in-store photography, with customers being inclined to snap photos of products and interiors, then share them online.
By creating such a stylish environment, one that suggests being shared, retailers can enjoy passive advertising and see their products and services associated with high-quality and fashionable designs. The benefits of which entirely justify dedicating a portion of shop space to aesthetics, such as a backdrop for photographs, or simply choosing stylish shop furniture and shelving that elevate the quality and style of every product.
