retail design

Why Choosing a Retail Store Layout is Important

According to Big Commerce, 51% of Americans would rather shop online, with 96% of Americans sharing that they’ve made at least one online purchase in their lifetime. With statistics like this, it’s no wonder that many retail stores are rebranding and renovating their storefronts to encourage foot traffic and reconnect with a lost customer base.

Part of this retail revitalization process is choosing a retail typology that aligns with a shop’s target consumer while optimizing sales. The layout of a retail shop can make a major difference in customer shopping habits, visual aesthetic, and overall profitability of the store.

Whether you’re in the midst of a retail redesign or are interested in working with a retail designer to incorporate a best-in-class layout into your new retail location, acquaint yourself with some common retail design typologies that can impact your branding, customer experience, and business success.

Why Choosing a Retail Store Layout Matters

The layout or floor plan of your retail store impacts how customers flow through your store. Retail designers are experts in understanding how customer flow can help stores optimize their sales process and can guide you towards the right store layout for your unique brand and products.

Types of Retail Store Layouts

In the modern market, there are four typical store layouts that are often used by retail storefronts of all sizes:

Free-flow store layouts: These layouts encourage customers to browse freely with no predetermined customer flow. This layout allows for maximum creativity, allowing for retail and shop owners to play around with product placement to see what customers organically wander towards.

Grid store layouts: Grid layouts are one of the most popular layouts in major grocery chains. With designated aisles, product always in sight, and areas of the store where themed or related products have their “home,” grid layouts are often put in place to maximize sales and encourage last-minute purchases.

Loop store layouts: Loop layouts are a spin on the grid layout for retail environments who want their customer flow to see as much product as possible. In this layout, customers are guided through a store “loop” with targeted products placed in specific locations.

Herringbone store layouts: Herringbone layouts are ideal for long and narrow retail spaces often seen in dense downtown cores and malls. This particular layout again takes after the traditional grid layout of large stores, but add space for comfort and relaxation in the midst of so much product in a small space.

If you’re trying to find the best store layout or retail typology for your unique retail space, take the time to think about the types of product you have, your location, available space, and how you want your customers to flow through the store. Retail designers can be of benefit to shop owners who want to maximize their sales and create a welcoming retail environment.

For more information on what kind of retail design will work best for your new retail store, don’t hesitate to contact us today.

OPENUU In Blog

The Benefits of Having a Retail Designer in Your Corner

Although there are plenty of sales being made daily on online shopping platforms, there is still something to be said about the comforting and engaging experience of shopping in a well-designed retail store.

To maximize a retail shop’s potential, many shop owners are turning to the expertise of retail designers to help them make informed decisions, plan their budgets, and work their brand into every aspect of visual storytelling that they can.

Whether you are opening a new retail store or are interested in rebranding to align better with your customer base, consider partnering with a retail designer who can provide benefits that you may not have thought to be possible through design.

What is Retail Design?

Retail design is the way in which aspects of your brand and story are integrated into your shop’s built environment. From the lighting in your store to well-designed window displays, retail design works to capture a potential customer’s attention and encourages them to step foot in your shop.

What Are the Benefits of Partnering with a Retail Designer?

Retail designers are industry professionals dedicated to helping you create a visual storytelling process that is custom tailored to your unique brand. When done correctly, best-in-class retail designers can help shop owners increase their return on investment (ROI) by ensuring that:

· Product information is accessible to potential customers

· Branding can be seen in all details of the retail environment

· Customer flow is optimized to encourage purchases

The general floor plan of your retail shop has a major effect on your customer’s buying habits. Retail designers help store owners design a floor plan that showcases core products and encourages casual browsing.

Retail designers are also specialists in helping you voice your brand and create appealing visual aspects that reflect your values and products. The interior design fixtures and features of your shop play a big part in how a customer feels in your shop. By discussing the pros and cons of specific environmental choices like lighting, furniture, and sound in your space, a retail designer can help you create an ambiance that invites in your ideal customer.

Your vision may not always match the results when you take on the retail design process alone. However, when you work with a retail designer, you can generate new ideas, communicate your vision, and have it executed functionally and incorporated seamlessly into your retail environment.

Standing out amongst the crowd is key to retail success. A retail designer can help you establish yourself as a best-in-class shop that your ideal customer base will be drawn and create brand loyalty.

Want to know more about the benefits of hiring a retail designer?

OPENUU In Blog

Why Hire a Designer to Help with Your Retail Design and Management

The design and management of your retail store is part of a greater collective of people dedicated to opening a top-notch shop. The interior design of your retail store has a much greater impact on your potential customer’s experience than you may think, so choosing to invest a percentage of your budget in a professional retail design studio can deliver a high return on investment (ROI).

From your store layout to effective retail signage, your retail concept should be represented continuously in a well-designed and managed store. By working with a design expert to ensure that your store is inviting and inspires purchases, you can streamline your sales processes and create a best-in-class customer experience.

ADesigner with Retail Design Experience

A retail designer is an experienced professional who helps shop owners cultivate their retail brand in the built environment. From signage to window displays, a retail designer will help you manage varying aspects of your store’s design concepts.

How Can Your Store Benefit from a Retail Designer?

Because a retail designer has a diverse skill set, they can help businesses create effective retail environments that promote sales and create an inviting and comforting experience for shoppers. They can also benefit your storefront in the following ways:

· Retail designers will help you avoid mistakes. Because of their experience and knowledge in the industry, a retail designer is often equipped with a network of contractors and connections that can streamline your renovations and help you make the most out of your design and construction budget.

· Retail designers can help you manage and make well-informed budget decisions. Creating a well-rounded and efficient budget for your retail store can be a painful process ridden with obstacles and challenges. However, retail designers boast their knowledge of regulations, zoning, and industry research to help you account for all budgetary needs to create a budget and future-forward plan to get your retail space off the ground.

· Retail designers can help you manage your brand and create a cohesive design flow throughout your store. Your retail shop’s branding doesn’t stop with logo creation. Retail designers realize that your store’s story and brand should be woven into every detail of your store, and will work with you to manage your decision-making process and create an ambiance that reflects your brand.

Are You Ready to Optimize Your Retail Design and Management Process?

Choosing to work with a retail designer and manager is a worthy investment that both current and future shop owners should consider. Whether you’re in the midst of a rebrand or simply want to open a shop that entices your target consumer, your retail design will help you capture and retain a loyal customer base.

Want to learn more about what a retail designer help you with your new store?

OPENUU In Blog, Renovation Resources

How to Hire an Interior Designer for Your Retail Space

While it might seem like an added expense, making an investment in an interior designer can pay off big time for your retail space. The right design can boosts sales by increasing your amount of overall traffic. Further, a professional will know the best ways to maximize your space along with your budget. Here are some tips on how to find and hire the best interior designer for your retail space:

Ask around: Nobody knows better than your fellow retail store owners who to hire and who to avoid! Go for a walk to the stores nearest to you to inquire. Pay attention to which local stores catch your eye and which ones turn you away. Be sure to ask for references from the places that make you want to shop. It can also be useful to find out who designed store spaces that you don’t like to narrow down your choices. If you are taking over an old retail space, you’ll want to find someone who is experienced working with older buildings. Also, if you’re converting another commercial space such as a restaurant or warehouse to a retail space, you will need someone with experience with conversion.
Know your vision: Have a solid idea of what you want out of your design before you begin interviewing designers. Start with the basics: Are you going for a vintage look or something more modern? Do you want bright colors or a darker look? In addition, you will need to consider how people are going to shop at your store. A clothing store will need fitting rooms while a beauty boutique will need makeup counters and chairs/stools. Any retail space will need enough walkways for people to comfortably fit down the aisles, so you will need to consider how you are going to display your products. Knowing the specific style you want will not only help you narrow down the designers you interview, it will also be useful to determine which designer is most capable of helping you achieve your vision.
Set a realistic budget: You want all the bells and whistles, sure, but you probably can’t afford them just yet. Make a realistic budget along with a list of things you absolutely need. For instance, a clothing store will absolutely need good quality shelves, racks, and fitting rooms along with other essentials such as good lighting and attractive (and safe, lead-free) paint. You can create a separate list of things you want but will be ok with not having right away such as accent lamps, fancy overhead light fixtures, and an upgraded sound system. You can always add in design elements later as your store gets going and just get the essentials at this stage.
Get specific during the interview: After each candidate leaves the interview, you should have a clear idea of what your retail space will look like, how much it will cost, and how long it will take. Ask specific questions regarding budget and timeline during the interview, and don’t be afraid to turn someone away who can’t meet your needs.
Get references: Each candidate should be able to provide you with three references that you can contact to find out about their work style. Be sure to follow up with references, even for candidates who seem like a dream to work with. This is your money and your store after all. You want to make sure the designer you pick is going to follow through.

Hiring a designer for your retail space will save you headaches and money in the long run. Use these tips to find the best designer in your area for your store. For more information on how to find the perfect designer for your store, contact us today!