In a perfect world, businesses would be able to take individual customers by the hand and show them around their retail spaces. These customers would see everything that the businesses wanted to show them, in the order in which they were best seen. Each of these customers would feel right at home and, having had an outstanding shopping experience, would love to come again.Such personalised guidance is not always possible in the real world, particularly for large enterprises with retail spaces visited by hundreds of customers a day. A carefully crafted retail store layout design, however, can guide customers around a store and provide an enjoyable experience that encourages a connection between those customers and the business.That connection has the potential to become stronger with every visit to that retail space. The stronger the connection, the greater the potential for sales growth and customer loyalty. Be sure to consider the following 10 components of retail store layout designs before planning a new space or refitting out an existing one.The Target CustomerRetail store layout design should be part of the comprehensive marketing and sales plan of a business. That plan should never be formulated without a thorough understanding of the target customer, who are necessarily the same customers of the retail store.With the broader characteristics of the target customer such as demographics and pain points having been covered in the comprehensive plan, retail store layout design must place particular emphasis on characteristics related to buying behaviour.The customers displaying these characteristics may be classified loosely as follows:Savings shoppers tend to make small rather than bulk or major purchases, or upgrade rather than buy a new unit, and are usually on the lookout for discounts.Savvy shoppers prefer to compare products before buying and may not necessarily make a purchase during a visit to the store, but are there to study the product offerings.Social shoppers tend to take their time in the store and move around at a more leisurely pace with the object of exploring and taking photos for social media.Speed shoppers know exactly what they want upon entering the store, and tend to go straight to the products they want, and from there to checkout.Armed with this knowledge, businesses will be better able to create a “personalised” retail store layout design that is more effective in meeting the needs of the target customer. Suggestions for tailoring the store layout to appeal to these groups include:Grouping related products and highlighting promos for Savings shoppers.Placing easy-to-read product descriptions and spotlighting product demo areas for Savvy shoppers.Creating a retail store layout design that encourages exploration and selfies as well as incorporates in-store event areas for Social shoppers.Placing essential products near checkout or the exits and using displays that take up less floor space for Speed shoppers.Traffic Flow and PathwaysIt makes perfect sense to make it easy for customers to move around the store, and a good retail store layout design will include clear pathways and other elements that facilitate navigation. Even large retail spaces can quickly become cluttered by displays and other visual merchandising materials, which can quickly be compounded by a large influx of customers. Planograms or POGs may be described as bird’s eye view maps of a retail space with the sole objective of optimising sales. A good retail store layout designer will build on a basic planogram by using it to map and direct traffic flow while keeping comfort and ease for the customer in mind.The designer must leave ample space or make provisions for high traffic areas such as displays for new products or promotional items, and potential bottlenecks such as the areas leading to checkout. Designers must also take care to avoid the formation of dead ends to save customers from having to double back and from cutting off their view of the rest of the store.While it also makes sense to place high-demand products well within a customer’s field of view, these products can also be positioned in other strategic ways. Placing new or related items close to those in high demand may influence customers to purchase or to at least learn more about them. These related items may also be positioned along the path leading to high-demand products for the same reason. Store Layout ZonesIn drawing up a planogram, retail store layout designers may also divide the retail space into zones, beginning with the entrance area or decompression zone. This zone allows customers to adjust from being on the sidewalk or in the rest of the mall, to being in the enclosed, controlled environment of a brand.Decompression zones generally extend about 1.5 to 4.5 m from the entrance into the store. It is advisable to keep the zone decluttered, not only to facilitate the adjustment but to allow customers to see all around the retail space upon entry. While zones vary between retail spaces in different industries as well as the total size of the space, zones found in most retail store layout designs include:High-demand zones for popular productsHigh-traffic zones leading to popular productsLow-demand or steady zones for less popular or staple productsSeasonal zones for rotated or event-related product lines Waiting zones and rest zones for customers waiting for products or restingImpulse zones for last-minute purchasesPopular zoning strategies include guiding customers through low-demand and steady zones en route to high-demand or seasonal zones. Seasonal zones often have pride of place in retail store layout designs so as to engage customers on sight.Waiting and rest zones should be placed so as not to impede the overall traffic flow, and designed to make the wait and the pause as pleasant as possible. A customer might be waiting for gift-wrapping, for instance, or taking a break after walking through a larger store. While ample space and reasonably comfortable seats are standard inclusions in this zone, some retail spaces include displays or other promotional materials for customers to look at while waiting. Checkout zonesThis zone marks the last stop on a customer’s visit to a store, and a good retail store layout design will make the most of this last chance to encourage or increase a purchase. Apart from placing impulse zones near or at checkout, recommendations for optimising checkout zones include:Adjusting the size of your cash wrap to the size and type of your retail space. Smaller stores might have Point-of-Purchase or POP displays in their checkout zones, while larger stores might separate the checkout from the cash wrap which they position at the back. Making sure your checkout zone is well-lit and well-designed to make a good last impression on customers leaving the store. Encouraging last-minute purchases by stimulating the senses with aromatic or tasty product samples at the checkout counter. Making sure there is enough space for queueing customers and keep hand sanitisers handy. Incorporating ways to reduce physical contact between staff and customers at checkout such as digital POS solutions is still a good idea.Merchandise PlacementHaving mapped out the various zones in the store, a retail store layout designer must also consider how products will be presented to customers within each zone. Products such as those that are newly launched, brand tie-ups or event-driven often change throughout the year. Retail store layout design must have provisions for highlighting these products and making it easy to switch between them regularly and efficiently. One such provision is to have a dedicated zone (i.e. Seasonal Zones) for these products that does not overlap with zones where product displays are changed less often. Best practices for highlighting products in this zone include:Appealing to multiple senses, not just sight, and not just through the placement of actual scents, textures, sounds or food samples. These stimuli may be suggested through the creative use of text, for example, printed on walls and describing these sensations, or through the use of images.Educating customers about the products by placing signage or infographics as part of the product display.Leaving empty space around a single premium product so that customers focus on the product itself and to emphasise its quality.Letting customers hold or try on the merchandise, particularly items with attractive textures or handheld appliances.Using accent lighting and colours to focus on individual items or multiples of the same product.Using modular display pedestals or stands that make it easy to position and reposition products as needed. Smaller spaces can also benefit by being able to store these stands when not in use.Using plants and other biophilic elements as decorative components of the design. Industry experts say they not only make a product display more engaging but also make the overall shopping experience more pleasant.Using unexpected materials or props in a display such as whole or partial vehicles in a store selling food or fashion easily attracts attention.Cross merchandising or grouping complementary items is a popular means of merchandise placement, as it is not only more attractive but can also potentially increase Average Order Value or AOV. A retail store layout design may group products visually (e.g. by colour), functionally (e.g. for cleaning), thematically (e.g. Spring collection), or by target market (e.g. for children).Visual MerchandisingAfter positioning products within the space, retail store layout designers must also consider the way the products are presented right where they are positioned. While it is often used as a catch-all term for everything from branding to POG development, “visual merchandising” here refers to the components of a retail store layout design at the point of purchase. An example would be the very shelf or display table where customers pick up a product to examine it and ideally, go on to place it in their basket or cart.Though they are by no means the only areas of focus for visual merchandising, displays and signage are two of the most emphasised in retail store layout design. Pointers for creating effective displays and signage include:Choosing a single product to visually anchor a display containing multiple elements.Composing the display using design principles such as contrast, balance and cohesion.Incorporating storytelling or a visual narrative into the display, e.g. a child’s first day at school or a camper out on a great adventure.Striking a balance between standing out and aligning the display design with the overall design of the space.Editing signage to be short, direct, and actionable. Cleverly written signage can also be highly effective when applicable, e.g. “Because plants are cheaper than therapy” in a gardening store.Making sure signage is legible, as some fonts can be hard to read, especially at a distance.Placing signage where it is easily seen or at eye level. Signage can also be a key element of the display itself as well as guide customers toward it.When creating displays for the Seasonal Zone as well as displays related to events or promotions, the two main considerations are timing and ease of assembly. Seasonal displays must be prepared well in advance; e.g. displays for Christmas toward the end of October. Because these displays are changed regularly, they have to be easy to put up and take down.Note that seasonal displays are not just about holidays but the time of year, e.g. spring, summer, and that the retail store layout design can be changed accordingly. Depending on the brand or the industry, seasonal displays may also be related to events such as sports.Product VisibilityThe chances of a product being purchased increase significantly when it is within plain sight of a customer. This principle has led to two main schools of thought as regards product visibility: to show the customer as many products as possible all at once, or to make sure the customer sees one particular product, and nothing else.Subscribing to one school or the other depends on the industry or type of retail space. The retail store layout design for supermarkets and shoe stores, for example, usually favour the former while luxury fashion brands would tend toward the latter. Placing products on multiple levels such as shelves also frees up floor space and helps to spotlight key products. New and other items that need particular emphasis, for instance, are best placed at eye-level. Monitor inventory regularly to make sure shelves and displays are always full. Planograms can also be a great help for planning product placement on shelves.Angle products upward, particularly those that lie flat such as cake or compact mirrors by propping them up from underneath or using specially constructed display tables or shelves. A general rule of thumb is to make the product stand on its own whenever possible. Shelves must also not be overcrowded, as this may obscure certain products, confuse customers, and increase the risk of accidents.Ensure a continuous line of sight all across the retail space, which means that a customer should be able to see everything within the store. Anything that blocks the customer’s view from seeing certain products such as an overly large display should be removed or repositioned. Make sure the entire space is well-lit and that there are no dark areas or products in these areas.AccessibilityAdequate lighting and easy-to-read signage are among the guidelines from the Australian Human Rights Commission for businesses to facilitate accessibility in their retail store layout designs. Other pointers include:Keeping aisles and pathways clear of obstacles such as turnstiles and bulky displays.Making sure there is enough space (about a metre wide) for wheelchairs, scooters, strollers and carts.Putting products and displays within easy reach of a person using a wheelchair or scooter.Choosing flooring material that is not slippery.When developing a retail store layout design, note that it may be against the law under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 to refuse entry or restrict access to certain areas of a retail space to someone using a scooter as a disability aid.Retail store layout designers can also make provisions for persons with other disabilities such as incorporating braille and audio recordings in visual displays. Designers can also make sure guide dogs have enough space to manoeuvre and that the sources of scents or savoury smells are kept out of their reach. Video displays might also include closed captions.Employee and Customer InteractionProviding the best possible service to all customers includes positioning in-store staff throughout the retail store layout design. Staff should always be visible from the moment customers enter the store to create a welcoming and friendly environment. It is recommended to have staff move around and not stay behind the counter, especially if there are few or no customers in the retail space.Having staff around also reassures customers that someone is always on hand to help. Note that purchase opportunities may be lost when customers have to look around for staff when they have questions or are about to buy.Customer service counters or information desks should also be visible from the entrance. When space allows, it is also generally recommended to keep customer service counters separate from the cash wrap for shorter queues. Counters or desks should not be so high as to be forbidding but should have a welcoming and friendly look. Customer service areas should also have enough space for at least two people. These areas are also ideal for displaying brochures and similar marketing materials.Technology IntegrationBecause the digital experience has become increasingly inseparable from the customer experience, technology has become indispensable to retail store layout design. As perhaps the most obvious inclusions in the layout, digital signage and interactive displays must be optimally positioned to be effective. Best positions for these include:Store windows in smaller stores Entrances and decompression zonesEye-level product shelves and displaysWaiting and resting zonesFitting roomsCash wraps and checkout countersA good retail store layout design will position digital signage and interactive displays away from ambient light sources. Placing digital signage above aisles and pathways depends on the content of the sign. Longer or more complex content should not be placed here, as customers may have a difficult time reading or viewing it, or will just walk right under and past it.The placement of interactive kiosks are another consideration when conceptualising retail store layout design. Entrances are ideal places for kiosks that provide maps or store navigation, while self-checkout kiosks should be placed away from the checkout counters or cash wraps. While not necessarily a feature of the layout per se, mobile point-of-sale or mPOS solutions used by roving staff are another tech alternative to fixed checkout areas.Future Scalability and FlexibilityTechnology and social media trends as well as the recent pandemic are all indicators of the need for flexibility in retail store layout design. Businesses must be able to adapt continuously to customer preferences which change alongside these trends, and this need to adapt must be factored in when retail store layout designs are developed.Considerations when designing for future expansion or changes include possible upgrades for digital displays and other in-store tech, and how easy it would be to disassemble, store and repurpose fixtures. As the business expands regionally or globally, also consider how easy it would be to keep the retail store layout design consistent and aligned with the brand. While customers naturally turn right upon entering a retail space in some countries, for instance, studies have shown that in-store traffic flow turns left in countries with right-hand drive.Some materials and manufacturing for retail store layout design elements may also not be readily available in certain countries which may also have different shopfitting regulations.Continuing to engage with the target customer is arguably the best way to future-proof or ensure the continued relevance and effectiveness of a retail store layout design. This will enable a business to design their retail space in response to the changing needs of customers and to provide a shopping experience that surpasses customer expectations.Blueprints for Retail SuccessIt may also be argued that preparing a retail store layout design is tantamount to preparing for the success or failure of a retail business. The impact of a well-executed store layout on the bottom line makes it all the more imperative to carefully consider the top 10 components of retail store layout designs:1 – The Target Customer2 – Traffic Flow and Pathways3 – Store Layout Zones4 – Merchandise Placement5 – Visual Merchandising6 – Product Visibility7 – Accessibility8 – Employee and Customer Interaction9 – Technology Integration10 – Future Scalability and FlexibilityEach of these components must be considered in the context of what makes a business unique, or the way it differentiates itself from competitors. Only forward-thinking, flourishing businesses will be able to turn these considerations into highly effective retail store layout designs that their customers will love.Greater Group is a multi-disciplinary global retail design agency. We have been creating award-winning retail spaces, customer experiences and workplaces since 1989, utilising our combined expertise to deliver high-impact, high-return design, fit-out and manufacturing solutions and provide clients with one point of contact throughout.Contact us at contact@thegreatergroup.com to discuss how we can elevate your brand through innovative, future-proof retail design solutions.Share :
In a perfect world, businesses would be able to take individual customers by the hand and show them around their retail spaces. These customers would see everything that the businesses wanted to show them, in the order in which they were best seen. Each of these customers would feel right at home and, having had an outstanding shopping experience, would love to come again.Such personalised guidance is not always possible in the real world, particularly for large enterprises with retail spaces visited by hundreds of customers a day. A carefully crafted retail store layout design, however, can guide customers around a store and provide an enjoyable experience that encourages a connection between those customers and the business.That connection has the potential to become stronger with every visit to that retail space. The stronger the connection, the greater the potential for sales growth and customer loyalty. Be sure to consider the following 10 components of retail store layout designs before planning a new space or refitting out an existing one.The Target CustomerRetail store layout design should be part of the comprehensive marketing and sales plan of a business. That plan should never be formulated without a thorough understanding of the target customer, who are necessarily the same customers of the retail store.With the broader characteristics of the target customer such as demographics and pain points having been covered in the comprehensive plan, retail store layout design must place particular emphasis on characteristics related to buying behaviour.The customers displaying these characteristics may be classified loosely as follows:Savings shoppers tend to make small rather than bulk or major purchases, or upgrade rather than buy a new unit, and are usually on the lookout for discounts.Savvy shoppers prefer to compare products before buying and may not necessarily make a purchase during a visit to the store, but are there to study the product offerings.Social shoppers tend to take their time in the store and move around at a more leisurely pace with the object of exploring and taking photos for social media.Speed shoppers know exactly what they want upon entering the store, and tend to go straight to the products they want, and from there to checkout.Armed with this knowledge, businesses will be better able to create a “personalised” retail store layout design that is more effective in meeting the needs of the target customer. Suggestions for tailoring the store layout to appeal to these groups include:Grouping related products and highlighting promos for Savings shoppers.Placing easy-to-read product descriptions and spotlighting product demo areas for Savvy shoppers.Creating a retail store layout design that encourages exploration and selfies as well as incorporates in-store event areas for Social shoppers.Placing essential products near checkout or the exits and using displays that take up less floor space for Speed shoppers.Traffic Flow and PathwaysIt makes perfect sense to make it easy for customers to move around the store, and a good retail store layout design will include clear pathways and other elements that facilitate navigation. Even large retail spaces can quickly become cluttered by displays and other visual merchandising materials, which can quickly be compounded by a large influx of customers. Planograms or POGs may be described as bird’s eye view maps of a retail space with the sole objective of optimising sales. A good retail store layout designer will build on a basic planogram by using it to map and direct traffic flow while keeping comfort and ease for the customer in mind.The designer must leave ample space or make provisions for high traffic areas such as displays for new products or promotional items, and potential bottlenecks such as the areas leading to checkout. Designers must also take care to avoid the formation of dead ends to save customers from having to double back and from cutting off their view of the rest of the store.While it also makes sense to place high-demand products well within a customer’s field of view, these products can also be positioned in other strategic ways. Placing new or related items close to those in high demand may influence customers to purchase or to at least learn more about them. These related items may also be positioned along the path leading to high-demand products for the same reason. Store Layout ZonesIn drawing up a planogram, retail store layout designers may also divide the retail space into zones, beginning with the entrance area or decompression zone. This zone allows customers to adjust from being on the sidewalk or in the rest of the mall, to being in the enclosed, controlled environment of a brand.Decompression zones generally extend about 1.5 to 4.5 m from the entrance into the store. It is advisable to keep the zone decluttered, not only to facilitate the adjustment but to allow customers to see all around the retail space upon entry. While zones vary between retail spaces in different industries as well as the total size of the space, zones found in most retail store layout designs include:High-demand zones for popular productsHigh-traffic zones leading to popular productsLow-demand or steady zones for less popular or staple productsSeasonal zones for rotated or event-related product lines Waiting zones and rest zones for customers waiting for products or restingImpulse zones for last-minute purchasesPopular zoning strategies include guiding customers through low-demand and steady zones en route to high-demand or seasonal zones. Seasonal zones often have pride of place in retail store layout designs so as to engage customers on sight.Waiting and rest zones should be placed so as not to impede the overall traffic flow, and designed to make the wait and the pause as pleasant as possible. A customer might be waiting for gift-wrapping, for instance, or taking a break after walking through a larger store. While ample space and reasonably comfortable seats are standard inclusions in this zone, some retail spaces include displays or other promotional materials for customers to look at while waiting. Checkout zonesThis zone marks the last stop on a customer’s visit to a store, and a good retail store layout design will make the most of this last chance to encourage or increase a purchase. Apart from placing impulse zones near or at checkout, recommendations for optimising checkout zones include:Adjusting the size of your cash wrap to the size and type of your retail space. Smaller stores might have Point-of-Purchase or POP displays in their checkout zones, while larger stores might separate the checkout from the cash wrap which they position at the back. Making sure your checkout zone is well-lit and well-designed to make a good last impression on customers leaving the store. Encouraging last-minute purchases by stimulating the senses with aromatic or tasty product samples at the checkout counter. Making sure there is enough space for queueing customers and keep hand sanitisers handy. Incorporating ways to reduce physical contact between staff and customers at checkout such as digital POS solutions is still a good idea.Merchandise PlacementHaving mapped out the various zones in the store, a retail store layout designer must also consider how products will be presented to customers within each zone. Products such as those that are newly launched, brand tie-ups or event-driven often change throughout the year. Retail store layout design must have provisions for highlighting these products and making it easy to switch between them regularly and efficiently. One such provision is to have a dedicated zone (i.e. Seasonal Zones) for these products that does not overlap with zones where product displays are changed less often. Best practices for highlighting products in this zone include:Appealing to multiple senses, not just sight, and not just through the placement of actual scents, textures, sounds or food samples. These stimuli may be suggested through the creative use of text, for example, printed on walls and describing these sensations, or through the use of images.Educating customers about the products by placing signage or infographics as part of the product display.Leaving empty space around a single premium product so that customers focus on the product itself and to emphasise its quality.Letting customers hold or try on the merchandise, particularly items with attractive textures or handheld appliances.Using accent lighting and colours to focus on individual items or multiples of the same product.Using modular display pedestals or stands that make it easy to position and reposition products as needed. Smaller spaces can also benefit by being able to store these stands when not in use.Using plants and other biophilic elements as decorative components of the design. Industry experts say they not only make a product display more engaging but also make the overall shopping experience more pleasant.Using unexpected materials or props in a display such as whole or partial vehicles in a store selling food or fashion easily attracts attention.Cross merchandising or grouping complementary items is a popular means of merchandise placement, as it is not only more attractive but can also potentially increase Average Order Value or AOV. A retail store layout design may group products visually (e.g. by colour), functionally (e.g. for cleaning), thematically (e.g. Spring collection), or by target market (e.g. for children).Visual MerchandisingAfter positioning products within the space, retail store layout designers must also consider the way the products are presented right where they are positioned. While it is often used as a catch-all term for everything from branding to POG development, “visual merchandising” here refers to the components of a retail store layout design at the point of purchase. An example would be the very shelf or display table where customers pick up a product to examine it and ideally, go on to place it in their basket or cart.Though they are by no means the only areas of focus for visual merchandising, displays and signage are two of the most emphasised in retail store layout design. Pointers for creating effective displays and signage include:Choosing a single product to visually anchor a display containing multiple elements.Composing the display using design principles such as contrast, balance and cohesion.Incorporating storytelling or a visual narrative into the display, e.g. a child’s first day at school or a camper out on a great adventure.Striking a balance between standing out and aligning the display design with the overall design of the space.Editing signage to be short, direct, and actionable. Cleverly written signage can also be highly effective when applicable, e.g. “Because plants are cheaper than therapy” in a gardening store.Making sure signage is legible, as some fonts can be hard to read, especially at a distance.Placing signage where it is easily seen or at eye level. Signage can also be a key element of the display itself as well as guide customers toward it.When creating displays for the Seasonal Zone as well as displays related to events or promotions, the two main considerations are timing and ease of assembly. Seasonal displays must be prepared well in advance; e.g. displays for Christmas toward the end of October. Because these displays are changed regularly, they have to be easy to put up and take down.Note that seasonal displays are not just about holidays but the time of year, e.g. spring, summer, and that the retail store layout design can be changed accordingly. Depending on the brand or the industry, seasonal displays may also be related to events such as sports.Product VisibilityThe chances of a product being purchased increase significantly when it is within plain sight of a customer. This principle has led to two main schools of thought as regards product visibility: to show the customer as many products as possible all at once, or to make sure the customer sees one particular product, and nothing else.Subscribing to one school or the other depends on the industry or type of retail space. The retail store layout design for supermarkets and shoe stores, for example, usually favour the former while luxury fashion brands would tend toward the latter. Placing products on multiple levels such as shelves also frees up floor space and helps to spotlight key products. New and other items that need particular emphasis, for instance, are best placed at eye-level. Monitor inventory regularly to make sure shelves and displays are always full. Planograms can also be a great help for planning product placement on shelves.Angle products upward, particularly those that lie flat such as cake or compact mirrors by propping them up from underneath or using specially constructed display tables or shelves. A general rule of thumb is to make the product stand on its own whenever possible. Shelves must also not be overcrowded, as this may obscure certain products, confuse customers, and increase the risk of accidents.Ensure a continuous line of sight all across the retail space, which means that a customer should be able to see everything within the store. Anything that blocks the customer’s view from seeing certain products such as an overly large display should be removed or repositioned. Make sure the entire space is well-lit and that there are no dark areas or products in these areas.AccessibilityAdequate lighting and easy-to-read signage are among the guidelines from the Australian Human Rights Commission for businesses to facilitate accessibility in their retail store layout designs. Other pointers include:Keeping aisles and pathways clear of obstacles such as turnstiles and bulky displays.Making sure there is enough space (about a metre wide) for wheelchairs, scooters, strollers and carts.Putting products and displays within easy reach of a person using a wheelchair or scooter.Choosing flooring material that is not slippery.When developing a retail store layout design, note that it may be against the law under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 to refuse entry or restrict access to certain areas of a retail space to someone using a scooter as a disability aid.Retail store layout designers can also make provisions for persons with other disabilities such as incorporating braille and audio recordings in visual displays. Designers can also make sure guide dogs have enough space to manoeuvre and that the sources of scents or savoury smells are kept out of their reach. Video displays might also include closed captions.Employee and Customer InteractionProviding the best possible service to all customers includes positioning in-store staff throughout the retail store layout design. Staff should always be visible from the moment customers enter the store to create a welcoming and friendly environment. It is recommended to have staff move around and not stay behind the counter, especially if there are few or no customers in the retail space.Having staff around also reassures customers that someone is always on hand to help. Note that purchase opportunities may be lost when customers have to look around for staff when they have questions or are about to buy.Customer service counters or information desks should also be visible from the entrance. When space allows, it is also generally recommended to keep customer service counters separate from the cash wrap for shorter queues. Counters or desks should not be so high as to be forbidding but should have a welcoming and friendly look. Customer service areas should also have enough space for at least two people. These areas are also ideal for displaying brochures and similar marketing materials.Technology IntegrationBecause the digital experience has become increasingly inseparable from the customer experience, technology has become indispensable to retail store layout design. As perhaps the most obvious inclusions in the layout, digital signage and interactive displays must be optimally positioned to be effective. Best positions for these include:Store windows in smaller stores Entrances and decompression zonesEye-level product shelves and displaysWaiting and resting zonesFitting roomsCash wraps and checkout countersA good retail store layout design will position digital signage and interactive displays away from ambient light sources. Placing digital signage above aisles and pathways depends on the content of the sign. Longer or more complex content should not be placed here, as customers may have a difficult time reading or viewing it, or will just walk right under and past it.The placement of interactive kiosks are another consideration when conceptualising retail store layout design. Entrances are ideal places for kiosks that provide maps or store navigation, while self-checkout kiosks should be placed away from the checkout counters or cash wraps. While not necessarily a feature of the layout per se, mobile point-of-sale or mPOS solutions used by roving staff are another tech alternative to fixed checkout areas.Future Scalability and FlexibilityTechnology and social media trends as well as the recent pandemic are all indicators of the need for flexibility in retail store layout design. Businesses must be able to adapt continuously to customer preferences which change alongside these trends, and this need to adapt must be factored in when retail store layout designs are developed.Considerations when designing for future expansion or changes include possible upgrades for digital displays and other in-store tech, and how easy it would be to disassemble, store and repurpose fixtures. As the business expands regionally or globally, also consider how easy it would be to keep the retail store layout design consistent and aligned with the brand. While customers naturally turn right upon entering a retail space in some countries, for instance, studies have shown that in-store traffic flow turns left in countries with right-hand drive.Some materials and manufacturing for retail store layout design elements may also not be readily available in certain countries which may also have different shopfitting regulations.Continuing to engage with the target customer is arguably the best way to future-proof or ensure the continued relevance and effectiveness of a retail store layout design. This will enable a business to design their retail space in response to the changing needs of customers and to provide a shopping experience that surpasses customer expectations.Blueprints for Retail SuccessIt may also be argued that preparing a retail store layout design is tantamount to preparing for the success or failure of a retail business. The impact of a well-executed store layout on the bottom line makes it all the more imperative to carefully consider the top 10 components of retail store layout designs:1 – The Target Customer2 – Traffic Flow and Pathways3 – Store Layout Zones4 – Merchandise Placement5 – Visual Merchandising6 – Product Visibility7 – Accessibility8 – Employee and Customer Interaction9 – Technology Integration10 – Future Scalability and FlexibilityEach of these components must be considered in the context of what makes a business unique, or the way it differentiates itself from competitors. Only forward-thinking, flourishing businesses will be able to turn these considerations into highly effective retail store layout designs that their customers will love.Greater Group is a multi-disciplinary global retail design agency. We have been creating award-winning retail spaces, customer experiences and workplaces since 1989, utilising our combined expertise to deliver high-impact, high-return design, fit-out and manufacturing solutions and provide clients with one point of contact throughout.Contact us at contact@thegreatergroup.com to discuss how we can elevate your brand through innovative, future-proof retail design solutions.Share :