Whether it’s a department store or a shopping mall, layout plays an important role in helping users navigate their shopping journey. During peak hours when there is heavy foot traffic, new customers may find your store worth their time if it helps them find what they’re looking for quickly and easily.
As a store manager looking to maximise the number of people coming into your store through a foot traffic analysis, you must be ready to embrace the changes that may come with it. A well-designed store layout can often be just as effective as a large marketing campaign. Think about making shopping easy for your users.
In this article, we will explain why your store’s layout should be welcoming and easy to navigate for shoppers.
Things to consider when creating your retail store layout
First impressions matter when it comes to retail stores. Your customers’ journey starts at the exterior and entrance of your store. Getting their attention will increase the likelihood that they will come into your store and make a purchase.
Here are some of the things to consider when creating your store’s layout:
Create clear and engaging signage
Using clear and attractive signage will help create a lasting impression for your store. According to a survey, eight out of ten consumers (about 76%) said they had entered a store or business they had never visited before based simply on its signs.
Signs matter, and if done correctly, they will increase foot traffic to your store. However, if you do not do it correctly, you may confuse your potential customers. Signs should not only inform but also guide customers effortlessly, helping them find what they need without confusion.
You must integrate your brand into signage, which will help your store stand out from the competition. Customers can learn a lot of things from your signage and window display. They can come in to shop for items once the exterior makes them want to come in and see what you have to offer.
To make it easier to get the attention of customers, you can tailor your exterior to seasons, festivals, game items, etc.
Make the product placement easy to access
Now that customers have entered the store, ensure products are easily visible and within reach of customers. Placing products on the shelves is an art you must know, especially for consumer goods.
When you have a product on your shelves, the goal is to let consumers see it and buy it. Most times, users tend to go for famous brands and products, but to avoid failure for new products, you can place more of the new products as opposed to the famous products.
Consumers already know the famous brands, but they need to get acquainted with the new ones. Similarly, you can group products logically by category or type to simplify browsing. Once customers know that products in a particular area or section are for the same purpose, it will help them shop better.
Utilise spaces and pathways for comfort
Your store may be rowdy during peak hours and seasons, and you do not want customers to have a poor experience shopping for their items. You can provide adequate space between aisles and displays to prevent congestion.
Also, consider the needs of different customer groups, such as families with children or individuals with disabilities. Ensure that aisles are wide enough to accommodate foot traffic and free from clutter. This will help your customers have a comfortable shopping environment.
Strategies to Enhance Your Store Layout for Easy Shopping
Having gone through some of the things to consider when creating your retail store layout, here are some strategies to make your store layout effective:
Analyze Customer Flow and Foot Traffic:
Track customer foot traffic patterns to identify areas of congestion or confusion. Knowing which part of the store gets the most crowded during and out of peak hours will help you make informed decisions on the store layout.
You can use heat mapping tools to track customer paths and preferences. Once you have analysed the data, you can implement layout modifications based on these insights to improve customer flow.
Create Focal Points and Highlights:
Use eye-catching displays and promotional areas to draw attention to high-priority products or promotional displays. This is advisable for newer products with fewer customers. You can also utilise strategic lighting placement to accentuate specific areas or products.
Also, make the layout engaging. For example, in a perfume store, you can place samples for users to test before buying. This will make the shelves more engaging for customers.
Optimize Checkout Experience:
Your customer’s journey reaches its climax at the checkout point. You must minimise wait times and queues at checkout counters. You can increase the checkout points during peak periods or implement efficient checkout processes.
In addition, create spacious and unobstructed checkout areas. This will help ease foot traffic and improve the overall customer experience.
Conclusion
Making your store layout easy to navigate is not a suggestion; it is a strategic tactic. You can increase foot traffic to your store when you implement clear and engaging signage. When customers find your store easy to navigate, you’ll be sure to know that they will speak about it and recommend it to others.
As a store manager navigating the seas of foot traffic analysis, it’s crucial to recognise that sometimes less is more. Rather than relying solely on heavyweight marketing endeavours, the key may lie in prioritising a layout that facilitates effortless navigation so that customers can find what they’re looking for quickly and easily.
At RetaliaADV, we offer services ranging from foot traffic analysis to customer behaviour insights and data-driven decision-making to prevent loss and have a good return on investment. You can contact us.
