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Opening and running a retail business is more complicated than simply buying or leasing space and opening the business. There is competition and the whim of the public to consider. there is also the correct display of the merchandise and the safety of the buyers who come. well-designed businesses attract more customers and sell more of their products. they also stay in business longer and earn better profits. Taking the time and investing in a good architect or interior designer is just plain good business.
Some things that need to be considered when planning a retail business are location, store front layout, traffic flow within the business, customer safety, color scheme, ambiance, decorating style, ease of maintenance and customer comfort. The location of the different departments and showcases can make a big difference in the success or failure of a business. A professional store designer can put together floor plans that work for every type of business that takes safety and traffic flow into account. Most companies have an opportunity to impress the buying public. Waste that opportunity with a bad environment or bad store design and the business will fail.
The first consideration, after the choice of location, is to match the design and decoration with the product that will be sold. A gourmet restaurant needs a different decoration than a cafeteria or a fast food place. A seafood restaurant needs a different decor than an Irish pub, etc. The decoration must match the product sold to be most effective. Most customers will expect a certain decoration for the product they are purchasing. An intimate apparel and lingerie store will have a more feminine feel than a men’s sportswear store. An interior designer or architect who specializes in retail design can suggest décor and merchandise arrangement that will help customers shop easily and buy more.
Once the company has a design that matches the merchandise, it is important to choose a decorating theme within that design. This theme can be ultra contemporary, European, glamorous or traditional and everything in between. This item can be in different colors. It’s important to choose a color scheme that pleases customers and encourages them to buy. Studies have shown that certain colors in restaurants work better than others in encouraging customers to eat and drink more. The colors of the walls, the floor and the furniture in the store should be combined nicely so that the customers feel comfortable and want to buy more.
All decorative items in a business must be easy to maintain and safe for customers. Flooring options should be considered with safety in mind. No one wants customers to slip and injure themselves on a floor that is too shiny. Floor plans should group related items for customer convenience. Exit lanes must be conveniently located and manned. A well designed and implemented store will sell more merchandise.