With significant online support, small businesses are now better equipped than ever before, finding themselves with a cohort of customers who are ready to support their retail business as begins a new brick and mortar adventure. This is great news for local shoppers as high streets are set to become more diverse with new retailers and exciting independent businesses.
This new wave of retail culture, however, also means that there are a great number of first-time retailers, many of whom that, while potentially well-versed in digital marketing and online store design, don’t have the same level of expertise or confidence when it comes to designing a physical space that is conducive to retailer business and positive customer experience. This is why we’re reflecting on important, contemporary considerations that new retailers should take into account if they are to transfer their eCommerce success into physical retail.
Colour Psychology
Despite how obvious colour associations might seem, a number of new retailers still make the mistake of mismatching their interior colour design with their products. Brands and products that are seeking to energise their customers, whether to stimulate excitement or a sale, should brave the bolder colour spectrum, adding reds and oranges to their aesthetic. However, while these styles stand out, keep in mind that you’ll rarely encounter a spa or bank that embraces them. This is because such stimulation is not conducive to their product.
Pay close attention to your product and brand, ensuring that the colour and aesthetic of your retail space fittingly complements the lifestyle you wish to purport.
Refresh, Regularly
While online stores are easily manipulated and customised, with new designs and products showcased each week, high street retailers experience a bit more of a challenge. Refreshing your product displays and store organisation is important to keep customers interested in your merchandise, however, it is difficult to continuously add novelty to a store’s interior design. That is unless you have the right shop shelving and retail furniture.
The advantages of high-quality shop shelving might seem clear but choosing the equip your new retail space with flexible designs cannot be overstated. Such assets, like slatwall panels and adjustable freestanding gondola bays, remain invaluable for the versatility they offer retailers, notably allowing them to regularly spruce up their store with simple redesigns.
Steer By Design
Customers tend to browse with inertia. That is, their direction will easily be influenced by store design, often relying upon it. As such, it is important that aesthetically pleasing layouts are second in priority to practicality. Stores should have navigation built into them, leading customers along with clear signage and stand offs, ensuring that, at no point, are they unable to discern where they are or going.
Additionally, store design should actively promote certain products in the same way that web pages do, highlight special offers and new arrivals, not only to emphasise their desirability but also to act as a point of reference for retailers who are navigating your store for the first time.
