Effects of Retail Store Layouts – design a store to increase profits

How do I make my retail store layout more effective?   It’s a common question we get from retailers. Most astute retailers know that their retail store layout has great impact on their business.  And because of this they contemplate changes to improve traffic flow, increase their shelf space, increase their sales, increase their profitability, curtail theft etc. The list, it seems, goes on and on. The effects of retail store layouts are too big to overlook.

Retailers who fill every inch of floor space with shelf fixtures may be shooting themselves in the foot.  This is a common mistake we observe in many stores. These retailers seem to believe that aisles are a waste of space, and so they crowd as many fixtures into their retail store layout as possible.  One should remember that a pleasant shopping environment is part of the shopping experience. If your customers feel crowded and uncomfortable in your store because of narrow aisles and the lack of personal space they will not linger long, I assure you.  Shorter shop time translates to fewer sales and fewer sales translate into less profit.      

Of course ultimately there are space limitations to any store. But by discounting the importance of open space and how that open space influences the “feel” of a store is negligence on the part of the retail store layout designer.  And it bears repeating that the more comfortable a customer feels in your store the more likely she is to extend her visit.   The longer her visit is the better it is for you and your store.  

In the rush of daily responsibilities the effects of your retail store layout may go unnoticed.  Therefore scheduled reviews of its positive and the negative aspects should occur between you and your staff members. This should be done from the stores point of view in regards to staffing and profitability but also from the customer’s point of view in regards to the shopping experience. This is a practice that will improve the physical elements of the store and enhance the communication between you and your staff and lead to effective retail store layout.

Interested in learning more about the shopping experience and effective use of retail layout, then get your copy of Discovery Based Retail today!