Fundamentals Of Retail Design

By Helga Gonzales

The core objective of a retail space is to offer an environment in which the retailer can effectively advertise and sell goods to the consumers, and where the consumers can purchase those goods with convenience. This is why the design of retail spaces and stores, that is the retail design, involves aspects of graphic design, ergonomics and marketing, along with other customary features of interior designing and architecture.

It is important for a retail space to be designed keeping in mind the specific requirements it is meant to cater to. For instance, the design needs for a supermarket would be starkly different from those for an art emporium. Many factors need to be considered while working on the design, such as the kind of products being sold, the level of involvement of shop assistants in the buying process, the number of goods that need to be put on display, and so on. Sometimes it is also essential for customers to be able to try the goods, while several other retail environments may only need exhibiting the goods. Based on such requirements, the retail design will have to be different.

Apart from the utilitarian features of retail design, the attractiveness of the retail area to the consumer is also highly important. It is very important that the retail space is hospitable to the buyers and motivates them to make purchases on stepping into the shop. The designing of the retail space can immensely contribute in this respect. There must also be place inside the store for promoting the goods through promotions to enhance the likelihood of a sale.

Moreover, the retail space must have a long lasting impression on the mind of the customers, and must motivate them to come back and make more purchases. Hence, a specialist retail designer will always give adequate importance to the ambience of the shop that would ensure that the customers have a nice and pleasant time in the store.

In order to develop an effective retail design, it is necessary to have a good working knowledge of customer psychology, space planning, promotion etc. Both the customer and the retail designer should have some know how of these aspects, so that the client can tell the exact requirements to the designer and the designer can efficiently satisfy the requirements of the customer.

Designing the store interior carefully is very critical, but there is another aspect that should be taken into consideration. The outside design and appearance of the shop should also be appealing to draw buyers to the shop so that they come in and look at the goods. - 29957

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