Five Tips For Designing A Small Retail Space
Small retail spaces are becoming increasingly more sought after. Not only are first-time retailers, those who are looking to establish themselves on the high street, seeking small venues for their concept but now an increasing number of established brands are demonstrating a preference for smaller sites too.
There are a number of reasons why this might be the case, with many purporting that it is simply more cost-effective to operate a smaller retailer venue than maintain a traditional favour for bigger is better retail. Certain brands are also seeking to benefit from concept and experiential shop spaces too, those that offer a brand experience alongside a small catalogue of products, a venture that would not necessarily benefit from a larger shop capacity.
Small high street spaces, however, cannot be designed as easily or in the same way as their larger counterparts. In fact, for retailers to ensure customers remain comfortable and safe in smaller venues, they must consider the following five factors.
Personal Space
Customer proximity to other customers is a huge influencer on how long shoppers will remain in a store. If browsing cannot take place without a certain personal space between customers, it is unlikely to happen at all. As such, retailers should make efforts to ensure that shoppers are able to browse comfortably, prioritising such space just as much as products and displays.
Verticality
While shop spaces can feel limited by their horizontal space, it is often the case that their vertical space is underused. Raising displays, lighting focus, and even certain hero products upward from the ground can help to improve a floor plan by relieving aisles of pressure. Such elevated aspects can also help customers to orient themselves too.
Choose The Essential
There might not be the space to display each product you have but this isn’t an issue. Retailers should, instead, focus on their hero items, those that exemplify their catalogue, and place design attention upon them. This could be greeting card units or elegantly designed clothing mannequins, whichever products are going to be most useful for customers to see and browse.
Embrace Technology
Retail spaces have the potential to be encumbered by technology. From artificial lights to checkout areas, shop designs must accommodate such elements. Modern designs and improvements, however, benefit retailers by making such technologies more space efficient and user friendly, meaning that assets, such as tills, are no longer as cumbersome as they once were, helping brands to operate more efficiently.
Prioritise Storage
With the right retail furniture and shop shelving, high street stores can integrate their storage needs effectively into a shop space. Instead of relying on an extensive or even separate storage area, retailers can, instead, stash products and extras among retail furniture and behind certain displays. This more efficient use of space is being incorporated increasingly into retail design, helping retailers to operate more effectively in limited spaces and when hosting pop-up events.
