Refitting a retail space is definitely an art, which is why we have shop fitout contractors, and tradespeople who really know their business and can work to a designed plan. Of course, you have a budget and you want the most from that, and with that in mind, here are a few tips from fitout contractors to help you create the right ambience in your store.
- Choosing a fitout contractor – Start with a Google search to obtain a list of established fitout contractors, then browse each site and create a shortlist of companies to contact. Of course, competition is fierce within the retail fitout sector and this can work to your advantage; decide on a budget and prepare information for contractors, then invite each one on a different day and see what each contractor offers. This is time-consuming but you should be able to make an informed decision and select the best team for the job.
- Work with the designer – Every fitout contractor has an in-house store designer and rather than letting them have free reign, your input is critical. Together, you can come up with a floorplan that is designed to make the shopper feel special. One great idea is to use mobile shelving, as this allows you to easily make a few changes further down the road. Don’t be afraid to challenge a designer’s decisions and always ask questions.
- Product placement – You need to think carefully about precisely where you locate your products; ideally, there would be a natural flow with all aisles leading to the check-out area. Low-cost items should be placed near the check-out area, where many shoppers pick up impulsively. Click here for reasons to have a POS system in your store.
- Cross-selling – This is when you place products that complement each other; the shopper will see accessory items that they will need for a specific purchase and maybe make a purchase. Eye-level placement is another smart; the shopper will see accessory items that they will need for a specific the shopper will see accessory items that they will need for a specific purchase and maybe make a purchase. Eye-level placement is another smart way to sell certain products.
- Think flexibility – Things like mobile shelving units and partitions that are inter-connectable will allow you to chop and change the layout; people like change, especially if they are regular customers. Nothing should be set in stone and flexible layouts are a good idea.
- Consider lighting – The lighting in a retail space is obviously critical and LED spots are ideal for highlighting specific products; it is a good idea to install dimmer switches in general ceiling lights, as this enables you to experiment to find the optimum level of lighting.
You should have a concept in mind when you approach a fitout contractor and their designer can use that as a foundation for the layout. We hope that the above information helps you to create a great retail ambience in your store.
