From Storefront to Stockroom: How to Effectively Plan Your Retail Store Layout

Are you opening a new retail store or stepping into a management role for the first time? If so, you need to do everything you can to design and organize your store in a way that sets it (and you) up for success.

The key to doing that is creating a killer retail store layout that takes advantage of the space and organizes everything in a way that makes shopping easy and enjoyable for customers.

How to Plan Your Retail Store Layout

Don’t know the first thing about organizing and arranging things in a store? We’re here to help! Here are some tips and best practices to follow to plan your retail store layout in the most effective way possible.

Make a Good First Impression

When it comes to retail, first impressions are everything. So, you need to really think about the entrance of your store and the vibe you’re looking to create. It should be clear to customers what your store is all about and what you sell the moment they pass by your storefront.

To make the best impression possible, try to create an entryway that is clean and welcoming. Avoid placing too much inventory out front as that will make your storefront seem cluttered and crowded.

If you need inspiration, stop by some of your favorite retail stores and take notes on how they’ve laid out their stores, and what works well and doesn’t about their space. 

Make It Easy for Your Customers

Did you know customers tend to spend more in-store than they do online? That means it’s incredibly important for you to make it as easy as possible for them to find what they need in your store. 

To do this, put your best or most popular products toward the front of the store with plenty of custom labels. Arrange similar products in an intuitive way so customers can quickly discern where they can find what they’re looking for. 

And as a bonus tip, try to move your lower-priced sale items toward the back of the store. Many shoppers are often looking for a deal or discount, so if you put it in the back they’ll have to spend some time browsing before they can find it. That may make them more likely to fall in love with one of your items with a better profit margin or higher revenue.

Use Cross-Sell

Cross-sell, also known as cross-merchandising, is the art of placing related items next to each other. In a retail space, that would be grouping articles of clothing together that would make up an entire outfit. By doing this, you can tempt customers who were originally only looking to buy one thing into buying more pieces to create a fully-realized look.

Mix It Up

As a retail owner, it’s important to keep your store fresh so customers want to keep coming back.  If you don’t, they’ll stop paying attention to your store or fail to notice it as they pass by.

To mix it up, change an element of your store at least once a week. For example, switch the outfit on your mannequin out for something new, or try to promote a new line of products you have. This will make customers eager to stop by your store and see what’s new.

Ready to Get Started?

Opening a new retail space is an exciting venture. But, setting it up for success takes strategy! By following these retail store layout tips, you can organize and arrange in your store that generates excitement and encourages spending.

Did you find the information in this article helpful? Need more advice? Check out the rest of our website for tips, insights, and more!