While online retail stores might be the thing of the future, the in-person shopping experience is still a large part of the community in towns and cities across the world.  However, now that customers have the option of leisurely shopping from within their own homes, they are a lot more specific about the type of shopping experience they want to undergo if they do decide to leave their laptop at home and venture into town. Therefore, it is important that you work to provide a retail space that is easily navigable and visual displays that are aesthetically pleasing in order to create a pleasurable atmosphere for your customers; here are a few tips which you might like to utilize to help you get started.

Utilize eye-catching window displays

Window displays are one of the most powerful tools in the retailer’s arsenal when it comes to attracting clients into the store. This low-cost marketing tool just requires a little imagination and creativity to create a range of displays throughout the year that will keep potential customers engaged and interested in your stock. A window display isn’t just about chucking some of your favorite items behind some glass so that people can see it: it’s about telling a story which any passer-by becomes quickly engaged with, and that intrigues them enough that they want to enter your store.

Using your space correctly

Lots of independent retail stores don’t have the same floor space as some bigger chains, which means that you have to be creative in how you utilize the space that you do have. Think about using different textures, layout shapes, and heights to create easily noticeable and accessible sections or zones for different products. For example, in a clothing store, you might have a wall of shoes which reaches the full height of arm extension (or further if you have the means to access higher wall space), and the next zone closest to the shoes could be something low hanging like t-shirts on a rail.

Correct lighting is essential

You want to utilize lighting that creates an atmosphere, while not making the store appear dark or dingy. You will most likely benefit from having a few main lights hanging from the center of the room, and having the rest of the lighting spotlighted around the individual zones you have created. Try to keep as much natural light flowing into the room as you can, but if there is a limit to natural light, try and recreate it by having a few different tones of light, such as softer lights on the overheads, and brighter lights for the spotlights. It is important to note that electricity will be one of your most expensive outgoings as a retailer, so make sure that you look into options for cheap business electricity providers.

Keep colors clean

You don’t have to have four white walls in your store, but it is important that you utilize color correctly, especially if you have a relatively small space. Using too many colors in an intimate space can make the room feel claustrophobic, and that will be off-putting to your clients. Instead, try using light colors which reflect the light, such as pastels if you don’t want to use white. You could also benefit from some kind of feature wall at the end of the room which will grab the customer’s attention and make them explore the full length of the store; the further into the store you can get them venturing, and the longer you can keep their attention, the more likely they are to buy something.