Are you an independent retail store owner who has wondered why their customers aren’t converting to sales? Are you concerned that you’re not presenting your products in their best light because you’re limited on the square footage of your store? Are you interested in improving your customer experience overall, but you’re not quite sure where to begin?
A small retail store may seem like a constraint for independent retailers, with the increasing pressure to stock as many products as possible while generating a high flow of customers and sales. Sometimes the only option may seem like expanding your shop floor, but the monetary and logistical constraints of this may cause this to be nothing more than a dream.
However, with the right knowledge and guidance, size really doesn’t matter. Here are three key tips in ensuring that you are making the most of your retail space.
1) Don’t Overcrowd Each Area
Nobody likes to be in a crowded space, and that’s why it’s important when planning your retail space to ensure that you don’t overcrowd each area. This is even more important for independent retailers who are limited on retail space.
The limits on space may encourage you to try and squeeze as many products in as you can to maximize the potential profit, but this could actually damage sales.
For some products, it may be wiser to display a single item of each variation. If the product comes in multiple colours, place one of each on a shelf instead of displaying all the products you have in stock. Not only will this declutter your store, it encourages customers to interact directly with your staff, giving you chance to convert the sale and even up-sell any additional products
2) Place your Stands and Products Wisely
Following on from the above point, the layout of your store must also not create a crowded atmosphere for your customers. Avoid placing shelves and floor units too close to the door. This can cause a blockage and could even discourage people from entering the shop in the first place. First impressions count.
Additionally, cramped and crowded spaces taint the customer experience – if your customers can’t find what they need quickly and easily they will leave. The best thing to do is to walk round a store in the shoes of one of your customers and look at the layout from their point of view. Keep added value products closer to the till, and popular products towards the front of the store.
3) Fake your Space
Be creative with the way that you use your space. If you’re limited with actual floor space, don’t be afraid to come up with other ways to showcase your products. Hang products from walls or the ceiling or use floating shelves or hang rails.
When you enter a space, it is common for your eyes to run very quickly round the room and study the floor space, and if you are able to see the edges of the floor this can make the room feel more open, even if it isn’t a large area.
Another way of making your shop look larger than reality is to install mirrors. Mirrors instantly open up a space and give you the opportunity to play with perspective. Not only does this make spaces seem larger, it also helps you make the most of natural light.