Planning Your Retail Store Layout in 7 Easy Steps

Retailers need to have correct retail store layout designs so that customers walking into their stores not only get attracted to the products but can also navigate in comfort and leave the store with a purchase, which is the ultimate aim of any store.

There is no right or wrong way to lay out a retail store, but it is crucial to concentrate on your target audience, the available space, and the types of products sold in the store.

Choosing the right layout design can profoundly impact how customers navigate the store, associate with the products, and make their purchase decisions. 

Hence, in this article, we will discuss the topmost preferred retail store layout designs that can boost your sales and compel shoppers to come again.

How to Plan Your Retail Store Layout to Boost Business  

a. Select the Right Floor Plan

The floor plan is the most important element when planning your retail construction drawing layout to boost business. But which floor plan suits your needs strongly depends on the size of the store, target audience, and also the products being sold. While there are numerous floor plans, the following are the most popular which are used by almost every retail outlet:

• Grid: In a grid layout, the products are displayed in aisles where customers can navigate their way, browsing as they go. This style enhances product displays and reduces any white space.
• Herringbone: If you want to create a grid layout but have longer, narrower retail space, this is your layout.
• Racetrack: The racetrack or pre-determined path layout is for predictable traffic flows and offers a closed-loop design that guides the buyers from the front to the checkout, creating crucial checkpoints at every stop.
• Free-flow: The free-flow layout is the opposite of every other design, as there is no attempt to stop buyers and force them to look at products.
• Boutique: The boutique layout, also known as the alcove layout, is a commonly used style of free-flow layout design. Brands or categories separate the products and encourage shoppers to engage with various free items in particular areas.

b. Customer Flow

The next step is identifying your customer flow to analyze the retail space. You can observe using technology such as heat maps and video recording or by beginning an in-store observation in particular parts of the store.

• Decompression Zone: This is the area where the customer faces the transition from the outside hustle and bustle to your store. This area should be kept bare minimal, and soothing by opting for calming colors or software displays that can calm the mind.
• The Right Turn: According to various studies, customers automatically turn right when they enter a store. Hence the right side of the store, right after the decompression zone, is the best place to display unique, promotional, or latest arrivals products.

c. Breaks & Stop Points 

 In order to stop shoppers from skipping products owing to similar fixtures, you should add breaks and stop points. These can be a stick-out sign for a product, or a table of products displayed, which will make a customer stop and look at the display. This slows down a shopper, and they are re-engaged in the experience.

d. Displaying the Right Number of Products

While having more products on the floor can help you sell more, displaying too many products can lower the product’s value. The underline is that the display depends on the size of your store, the customer   experience you want to offer, and how you want shoppers to understand your business.

e. Cross-Merchandise Strategies

Grouping different items in your store that complement one another is a great way to cross-merchandise the products. For example, shoes and socks, clothes and accessories, and cosmetics with toiletries are some items we mix and match together. This will make a shopper buy more things because they can visualize the usage of every product.

f. Find A Good Spot for Checkout      

Usually, the front of any store is a good place for checkout, but sometimes it makes sense to place the checkout register at the back of the store. This makes sense for large retailers with numerous employees, products with free movement throughout the store, and several products to choose from. 

g. Add Impulse Products at Checkout 

Place impulse items such as travel-size cosmetics, candy, toys, and essential items that may have been overlooked on the path toward the checkout counter or at the counter. 

These items should usually be low priced as they will be a final purchase by the shopper before leaving the store, and they should refrain from debating the price in their mind.

Conclusion

Giving ample time to create the perfect layout based on the footprints or data available is essential to understand buying patterns. When deciding upon a retail store layout design, always consider your available space, products, and square footage to generate revenue.