When it comes to opening your new retail store, you want to make a good first impression and put your stamp on the place. Whether you’re going for a sleek and sophisticated look and style for your decor, you want a more minimalist vibe, or you want to express yourself with prints and colour creatively, the decision is entirely up to you and what fits well with your brand.
Never underestimate the power of good store branding and aesthetics. A study by Science Direct found a direct correlation between customer satisfaction and a store’s layout, design, lighting, and atmosphere.
If you’re wanting to look at how to make your store more personalised and pleasing for shoppers then read on.
Start Outside
Before you even address how the store looks inside, you need to look at the first thing the customer will see: your storefront. You want nice clear signage to tell people who you are and keep with your brand’s colour and image. Your store needs attractive window displays, not cluttered ones, to show off what you can expect in store if applicable. The use of signage and personalised posters can be highly beneficial here to advertise products, sales, and offers to entice people. Make sure the exterior of your property is clean and well kept, and any damage or repairs are taken care of so it doesn’t detract from the vine you are trying to create.
Organise The Layout
While it’s not an obvious option, a well-organised layout can be immediately attractive to customers. Personalise it however you wish to compliment your products and what you do. You don’t have to stick to standard shelving and layout options, but it needs to make sense to shoppers. A poorly organised store will put people off quickly and ensure they leave before getting to the till.
Have a walk-through of the store and look at it from the customer’s point of view. Does the placement of the products make sense? Can you display them better? Do you need to rearrange the stock or shelving? Find something that works for your products and reflects your brand to make more of an impact and create an altogether better shopping experience.
Consider Lighting
The type of lighting you use in your store will also help you to create a personalised vibe within your store. Let’s say you’re opening a grocery store. Cool lighting that keeps customers more alert will be a good choice. However, if you’re opening a clothing store, then you might want warm yellow lighting that will create a relaxing vibe in the store. The type of lights you use, how you illuminate the store and the type of light fittings you use should all be chosen in a way that helps you create a personalised aesthetic to offer your customers the vibe they expect.
Colours and Artwork
A great way to add personalisation to your store is to incorporate your brand colours into the walls, displays, flooring, ceiling, and anything and everything you wish that can benefit from it.
Take your logo and look at what colours and design elements can be used within the store. Maybe you can place your logo on walls or display cabinets or paint fixtures in your chosen colour scheme. You could also use your colour scheme in more understated ways to enhance the interior rather than overpower it. Again, as long as it makes sense with your brand image and logo, it can be used to increase personalisation.
Utilise All Senses
A store that is a feast for the senses can be an excellent way to create a vibe that is distinctly yours. Use scents, visual aspects, music, and tactile elements to pull your chosen design together and create a store that appeases all five senses. You want to trigger a reaction with people, something they can confidently identify as unique to you, and including factors that are sensory and create a fully immersive experience can do just that.
A great example of a tactile experience is displaying products people can touch while browsing the store. Playing music that connects with your target audience will help them feel good in-store, and if they feel good, they’re more likely to purchase or return and so on.
Creating a personal shopping experience and putting your mark on your premises can help elevate the shopping experience for customers and improve your overall brand image and identity. By focusing on the small aspects, looking at ways you can make changes and improvements using the equipment in the store, your products, and the lighting and sound aspect, you can turn your store into the best place possible.