Maximizing Retail Store Footprint

As the pace of retail continues to accelerate at record pace, retailers are forced to undergo constant change. Their greatest challenge is remaining nimble while offering greater value in new ways that match their customers’ ever-evolving expectations. Retailers must look to location intelligence and real estate technologies for new strategies—and innovative, disruptive approaches—to succeed in this constantly changing landscape.

Although hundreds of thousands of stores have now closed, replacing them with online equivalents, e-commerce is not immune from disruption. With the rise of brick and mortar franchising, traditional offline shopping is making a big comeback. Anyone can open a shop these days and it seems you can do it with less experience than before: all you need are basic business skills and an internet connection. But if you want to ensure success then our commercial interior design company Dubai would like to discuss how retail store planning can act as a foundation for your operations.

What is retail store planning?

Retail store planning is a process that involves the careful analysis of a retail store's physical space, layout and design. It is designed to maximize the profitability of the store by ensuring that the most effective use of space is made, that the merchandise is displayed in an eye-catching way and that customers are encouraged to spend more time in the store.

Retailers can achieve these goals by conducting market research on their target audience, reviewing their current product range and analyzing sales data from previous years. They should also consider whether they need additional space for storage or staff facilities before embarking on any remodelling work.

Why is it important?

A well-planned store will increase customer satisfaction. When customers can easily find what they're looking for, they're happier. A well-planned layout will make customers feel comfortable in your store and increase their loyalty to your company. It also improves store efficiency. If employees know where everything is located, they'll be able to serve customers faster and more efficiently! The better they know their way around a store, the more time they'll have to help customers or do other tasks such as cleaning up or restocking merchandise.

Retail Store Planning Techniques to Help Plan Stores More Efficiently:

A retail store planner from the best interior design firms in Dubai creates floor plans for each section of the store as well as for individual displays. These layouts give you an idea of what your store will look like before you open it, so you can make changes before it is too late. The planner will take into account things like lighting for each area, color schemes, signage and much more.

Target The First Floor

The first floor is where most people will enter the store and it should be designed to get you into the right mindset. A good first impression is important, but it doesn't have to be extravagant. It just needs to be functional and inviting enough for customers to want to come back.

Think about what customers expect from an electronics store and what you want them to feel when they walk through your doors. Do you want them to feel like they're in an Apple store? Or do you want them to feel like they're in an old-fashioned radio shop? The answer depends on who you're trying to attract and what kind of atmosphere you want your store to have.

When designing a first floor, focus on creating an environment that will encourage shoppers to spend time browsing through all of your products rather than just grabbing one thing and leaving. You might want to create separate areas for different types of products or offer things like free Wi-Fi so people can stay longer if they want (or even work while they're there).

Identify Customer Flow

A retail store's flow is critical for customer satisfaction. When a customer walks into a store, they need to be able to find what they're looking for easily and quickly. If not, they will either leave or become frustrated and agitated. A well-planned store layout can help reduce this frustration by identifying where customers are most likely to go and placing the products they're most likely to buy in those locations. This helps increase conversion rates because it makes it easier for customers to make purchases and reduces the likelihood that they'll leave without making a purchase at all.

Avoid the Transition Zone

The transition zone is the area between where customers enter and exit your store. It’s also an area where they have to walk through to get from one end of the store to another. This area can be difficult for customers because they have to walk through it twice — once when they enter and again when they leave — and it takes up valuable real estate that could be used for selling more products.

In retail design and build in Dubai, the designers should try to make this transition zone as short as possible by placing items that people need when exiting at eye level or above in front of them, so they don’t have to bend down and reach for them before leaving the store.

Customers will also be distracted by other things in the transition zone, like changing rooms or customer service areas. This can lead to customer loss and increased customer dissatisfaction.

Design for Clockwork Navigation

While it may seem like this is just another buzzword, the concept of Clockwork Navigation has been around since the 1950s when it was first introduced by Edward Tufte as an example of information design. This navigation method uses visual cues to lead customers through the store in a logical and easy way, which makes it easier for them to find products they are looking for.

The goal of clockwork navigation is to create a sense of order and organization in a retail space so that customers can easily find what they need and get out quickly. This is one of the most important elements of retail store planning, as it allows customers to navigate quickly and easily around the store. This can be achieved by using a combination of skylights, natural lighting and well-labelled products. A well-designed retail store not only facilitates conversions but also creates a lasting impression on customers.

Remove Narrow Aisles

The next step is to remove narrow aisles and create open space in your retail store. The average width of aisles in most retail stores is only 12 feet. This means that you need to be able to fit a customer with a shopping cart as well as another person who happens to be walking down the aisle at the same time.

That's not very much space! In fact, it's not even enough space for two people to comfortably pass each other without one of them having to squeeze by uncomfortably close. The average person walks approximately 3 miles per day, so if your store has narrow aisles, it's likely that customers will walk on their toes or take longer strides to avoid bumping into fixtures and displays. This makes them feel rushed and uncomfortable in your store.

To maximize store footprint and make room for better traffic flow, remove narrow aisles by moving or removing fixtures like shelving units or display racks. You could also install wider display shelves so that they don't get in the way of shoppers who are walking through your store.

Authenticity Paves the Path to Real Customer Experiences

People like shopping in stores because it gives them an opportunity to interact with their favourite brands and products in real life — not just on their computers or smartphones. In fact, a recent study found that 80% of shoppers visit physical stores because they want a real experience with their favourite brands and products; creating an atmosphere where customers can connect with the offerings.

One of the best ways to accomplish this is by working with interior designers like Coral Supplies and Interiors LLC, experts in creating unique and memorable spaces that will help your customers feel comfortable and engaged in your brand.

Experienced retail interior design companies in Dubai can help you create retail stores that reflect your brand’s values, personality, and goals. They will also help you design stores that resonate with your target customers. This means that they have a deep understanding of what they want from their shopping experiences and how they want to feel when they walk through the doors of your store.