All shop owners know the pain of suffering through a quiet spell, of watching the high street get busier every day whilst your business remains totally free of customers.
Although it’s a situation we’re all familiar with, if your slow patch has lasted longer than a couple of weeks then it’s one you can’t afford to ignore.
You might not be allowed to physically force people through your doors, but you can lure them in with some clever trickery – yup, it’s time your shop underwent a customer-friendly makeover.
Here are five simple ways you can give your retail space a much-needed boost. Take a look.
#1: create more space
You completely understand that a cluttered shop with no room to breathe isn’t attractive to customers, but you also know that spacious commercial properties don’t come cheap.
The good news is, you don’t have to bankrupt yourself renting out bigger premises or extending your current building to increase your square footage.
Mezzanine floor prices are super reasonable and creating a new level is a great way of adding more space to your shop (whilst also making an eye-catching interior design statement at the same time).
#2: get the heating right
Want your customers to spend more time and money in your shop? Then you’ve got to make them feel completely at home.
Boost the comfort levels of your customers and improve the overall atmosphere by getting the heating just right. Too warm or too cold and people will be desperately rushing out the door.
The ideal temperature will differ according to the nature of your business (a coffee shop will have different demands than a clothes shop, for example), but most people agree that 18°C works well for most retail spaces.
#3: revamp the layout
A thorough spring clean of storage areas and your actual storefront will instantly freshen the place up, and it’s also the perfect excuse to play around with your shop layout.
In an ideal world, your floor plan will be structured in a way that boosts revenue (by encouraging traffic flow to certain merchandise and the till point) whilst also delivering the best customer experience possible.
If you’ve got the funds to hire an expert retail design consultant for this then go ahead (it’s worth the investment), but otherwise, try to view your shop from your customer’s perspective and gear it towards their needs and wants.
#4: focus on accessibility
As well as keeping your entrance fully accessible and easy to manoeuvre, make sure your shop is roomy enough for wheelchair users and parents with prams.
Clear and wide aisles will instantly make the space feel more open, a quality everyone will find attractive and welcoming.
In fact, if you’ve got enough room, leave some space by the door for strollers to be safely stored. It’s a convenience stressed out parents will love and remember you for.
#5: understand the art of displays
An eye-catching and creative window display is a sure-fire way of attracting more customers through your door, but don’t just stop there.
Put the same level of care and attention into organising shelving and display units throughout your shop.
There’s no need to go overboard with themes or fancy lighting, simple and fresh works just as well. Declutter, place key merchandise at eye level and regularly move stock around to boost sales and keep things interesting.
Have you got any other top tips for making a shop customer-friendly and attractive? Leave a comment and let us know.
