Right retail store planning can pave the
path for the success of a store. It involves detailed evaluation of the
requirements of the particular store, finding the right path to fulfill
customer requirement and procure goods, and creating a friendly and
comfortable environment for both, customers and staff.
The first step is deciding on a budget. It should
correspond with the projected profit that you wish to earn from the
store. Every market has different profit margins and you must make sure
that you don’t over spend on store designing, as it will eat into your
profits. Creating a budget will also help you spend intelligently and
find the best deals. Once the he budget is final, you should decide on
the shopping experience that you’d like to give your customers and
design the store accordingly. For example,
if you want the
customers to help themselves in making a decision, then the store should
have an open layout with ample space to walk around with baby strollers
or wheelchairs. If you are designing a store where a personal shopper
will help the customers, then you should create a special place for
customers to sit or stand comfortably, while your staff shows them the
products. Carefully place the products throughout the store, so that the
customers or staff don’t accidently knock them out. The Retail Strategic Planning
store should neither look empty nor over flown with products as it
works negatively on the customer’s psychology. Layout should be
complimented by perfect lighting, that’s neither too bright nor too
dark. Make sure that no part of the store is darker than others.
Lighting should be adjustable according to the time of the day, so that
customers feel comfortable. However, lighting can help you only if you
use the right colors in the store.
The
colors that you use on the walls, floors and furnishing should not only
correspond with each other, but also compliment the products that you
are selling. For example, jewelry stores generally have darker color on
the walls because it brings out the shine of the jewelry pieces.
Therefore, avoid colors which clash with your products. Interior design
and planning for the interior part of the store is as important as the
outer part. The signage, display windows and store’s name should be
designed very carefully. These are the first things that a customer
notices, and are extremely important for the store. Last, but not the
least, hire professional and polite sales executive and train them well,
to give your customers the service that they deserve.