RETAIL & FLAGSHIP STORES
On average it takes around 8 seconds to walk past a storefront, giving just 4 seconds to capture a consumer’s attention and to get them into the front door. With an ever-growing online retail market limiting what was once a vibrant and busy high street, it is now more important than ever for retailers to develop strong and inspiring designs to encourage consumers through their doors to buy. Retail design brings an undeniable competitive advantage and acts on multiple aspects of the business strategy.
Customers enjoy shopping in brick-and-mortar buildings for the experience. Based on Harris Interactive survey, 86% of adults would pay more for a better customer experience. The more full of unique personality a store is, the more likely customers will come in. Retail design helps to narrate the brand and product story, it makes the store environment the ultimate showcase, the physical anchor between the brand and the customer. Creating this space where a customer is immersed in the brand’s world, where it can develop a sense of belonging, loyalty and become an advocate.
Retail design also helps to maximise sales. Effective retail design results in a space that is well laid out with products that can be easily found and provide customers with a logical path through and around the store to enhance their browsing experience. Especially with COVID, this layout is more than ever important to ensure a safe distance between customers. Through design, this layout needs to naturally match COVID sanitary protocols without overcrowding the store with signs which would negatively impact customers as a reminder of the current climate.
Image copyrights reserved to Virgile & Partners / Imagination. (www.virgileandpartners.com)
