When a customer enters a store, they may not be aware of all the planning that has gone into the design of that retail space. From how the store is laid out to the background music played over the PA system, there are many elements that contribute to the perfect store design.
Layout
One of the key considerations when designing the perfect retail space is the layout of the shop floor. Indeed, there have been studies conducted into how the layout of a retail space impacts consumer behaviour. There are several components to layout, including the arrangement of aisles, shelves and racks, and the location of the tills and changing rooms.
Supermarkets are a great example of just how much thought goes into store layout, from placing expensive items at eye level to putting everyday products at the back, thus encouraging you to wander and impulse buy. The overall idea is to exercise an element of control over the customer, guiding them around the store, so they see the items you want them to purchase. One of the boldest examples of this is the maze-like store design utilised by a well-known Swedish furniture retailer!
Audio and visual appeal
Aside from layout, thought should be given to the overall ‘feel’ of the store. The colour scheme and also the choice of background music for business retail spaces are two factors that heavily influence the environment and ambience of the store, so, therefore, have a significant impact on customer behaviour. Choice of décor will depend upon the mood the retailer wants to create. Similarly, there is no single correct choice of background music for businesses and retailers will all have different requirements.
Again, when it comes to selecting the right Music for business environments, there have been plenty of studies conducted into how it impacts consumer choice. The main thing is to choose music that encourages shoppers to browse for longer and, of course, to buy!
Designing the perfect retail space requires careful consideration of the psychology of shoppers. It has long been recognised that the ambience of a store, as well as the choice of layout, can have a significant influence on buying behaviour. It is therefore up to retailers to effectively tap into this in order to design a store that maximises positive customer engagement.