The past few years have seen a huge shift in consumer spending habits. The pandemic forced those who usually hit the highstreets to do their shopping online, and physical retail stores were certainly missed.
Things slowly started getting back to normal in 2022, with retail recovery on the rise. This guide will look at how you can create the perfect retail space for 2023 to attract customer footfall.
Choose a cohesive theme
Having a theme throughout your store will help customers identify with your brand and attract potential new custom. Implementing a theme that you can work around will create a community-like feel, encouraging a sense of familiarity amongst your customers.
Stand out amongst the rest and use innovative décor to beat the competition. Whether that be using repurposed furniture to display your products or using vintage memorabilia to create an authentic environment that is reflective of what you’re selling.
Stores that are aesthetically pleasing typically yield higher sales than those with a basic, unattractive interior and can become a destination for shoppers to be seen in.
Include interactive displays
As our world becomes more digitalised, many stores have implemented interactive displays to keep up with modern consumer behaviour. For example, if you own a furniture store, consider investing in Augmented Reality (AR) technology to help customers visualise what the items would look like in their homes.
You can even include electronic screens that allow customers to find their size in the shop, or to sign up for notifications of new releases – encouraging customer engagement and interaction with the brand.
These exciting additions could be a turning point for your store. As they are often high-value items, you could consider protecting your investments with shop insurance and give yourself a little peace of mind.
In addition, having an “Insta-worthy” display will encourage customers to post and tag your brand on social media, helping you generate shares and reach a wider audience.
Introduce greenery
Create a tranquil space and implement greenery either inside or outside your store. Be at one with nature and evoke a calming connection throughout your décor.
Plants and flowers often create a cosy, peaceful atmosphere, inviting customers into your store. Choosing to use low-maintenance plants can still provide a peaceful element to the shopping experience, so don’t worry if you find that looking after fresh flowers will be too much to maintain.
Show sustainable values
Increasing amounts of people are motivated by sustainable values and environmental factors, becoming drawn to brands who shout about their eco values.
Displaying your ethical commitment in your store for all to see will encourage brand loyalty, potentially undercutting those brands that fail to mention what they’re doing to promote sustainability.