If you have a physical retail store or shop, you’re probably wondering how to encourage walk-ins. One thing you can do is pay attention to the way you decorate your store.
You see, what people see when they peek through your windows can play a big part in whether or not they decide to enter your establishment. That’s why it’s vital to do shop decoration properly.
Today, we’ll go over some of the things you can do to encourage them to step inside. Let’s start off with a tip on signage!
1. Use signage to your advantage.
While we did talk about what people see when they peek through your windows, your first impression actually starts even before that. Signage is typically the first thing people see of your store’s decor.
As such, it pays to think about whether or not your signage is working for you.
Is it eye-catching? Does it stick out even amidst all the other signs curbside?
Does it convey the message you want to send to customers before all others? Is it consistent with the rest of your decor or branding?
Our advice here is to go for simplicity and efficacy. Focus on a quick message that will encourage people to pause long enough to peek into your shop windows.
This actually applies to our next tip too, which has to do with your shop window displays.
2. Make your shop window display bold but simple.
Believe it or not, a smorgasbord of products and promotions usually doesn’t make for a very inviting window display.
While it’s common for shop owners to want to showcase a lot of items in their windows, it may result in customers having difficulty finding something they want amidst the clutter.
When thinking about your retail shop front design, you want to focus the display on just a few products or even just one theme. This avoids overwhelming the viewer and is more likely to hold his attention, which makes it more inviting as a result.
It can help to expend effort in making window displays “current” as well. That means checking the trends or current events to see what you can work into the display to make it feel contemporary.
This can enhance its appeal by helping passers-by relate to it immediately and hinting to them that you may have what they need. An example here might be adding hearts and roses to a display around Valentine’s to get people shopping for romantic gifts to walk through your doors.
Proper lighting can help highlight your products without overwhelming the display. Spotlights or focused lighting can direct attention to your centerpiece or featured items.
Soft, warm lights can also create an inviting atmosphere. Set up this type of lighting to draw people in and make them feel comfortable stepping into your space.
3. Add seating to your interior decor.
This is one of the absolute best ways to make your shop more inviting. Most shoppers can’t resist a well-done seating area. It gives them a chance to get off their feet for just a few moments, which already benefits you because it gets shoppers to spend more time looking at your products.
Personalise the seating experience as well to make it attractive. A retail shop modern layout may include minimalist seats, for example, while one with a more traditional style can go with soft and luxurious armchairs.
Setting up an interactive or immersive area that draws interest can help too. Put things in the area that will help draw people to it, like art or decor reflecting your brand.
Plants, local artwork, or even handmade objects can make the seating area feel curated and authentic. It can help people relax, which may make them more receptive to your products or pitches.
4. Establish a clear layout.
A good floor layout can do a lot for a retail store. It provides a sense of direction for shoppers and thus helps in managing store traffic and shopper flow. Moreover, to the shopper who’s taking a peek at your store from outside, it gives him an idea of how easy your store will be to navigate!
Now, there are a lot of possible store layouts – a lot of factors go into choosing the best one for each shop. The rule here is to select the one that shows off as many of your products as possible if a customer is walking around in the space.
This is why a lot of stores have eschewed solid walls or partitions for space sectioning now. Walls obscure customers’ vision and can make the space feel closed-off and smaller – not exactly what you want when trying to make customers feel comfortable.
Here’s where floor decorations come in: you can use them to visually section a space without having to put up vertical partitions. One rug can denote one quadrant of a store that belongs to men’s clothes, for example. Another rug can denote another section that belongs to women’s clothes instead.
Your goal is to create an open, easy-to-navigate space with clear paths and markers. Use furniture and displays that encourage movement and exploration in a logical way.
Test customer flow and avoid cluttered aisles. You can even segment the store into distinct zones based on product categories or themes. This makes it easier for customers to navigate the store and find what they’re looking for.
Consider things like the width of aisles, which should be wide enough to accommodate both foot traffic and shoppers with strollers or mobility aids – 1 to 1.2m is recommended for most retail stores.
Finally, keep the checkout counter clear of unnecessary items. Reduce clutter to minimise stress and discomfort – and display only essentials like quick-sale or impulse-buy items.
5. Use rugs to add warmth and interest to the space.
We just noted that a rug can be used to establish store layouts and sections. But really, they can do so much more!
A good rug can also make a space look more inviting simply by adding texture and warmth to a location. And if you want a splash of flamboyance, you can even get bespoke rugs for this purpose.
A rug can improve the experience of being in a shop in so many ways, from softening hard floors to creating a cosy atmosphere encouraging people to linger. Even the way it softens footfalls can make a shop feel more peaceful and welcoming.
The right rug can also echo a brand’s personality, strengthening the space’s character.
You can have them designed to be consistent with your visual branding, even. If you’d like to try this, reach out to us! We’ve created many custom rugs in Singapore for various companies and commercial establishments.
We can advise you on both designs and materials that can help achieve what you want for your retail shop.
