Are you preparing for a remodel or move? Are you opening a new store? Stuck on where to get started with your store design?

When designing your experiential retail space, start by considering the journey that you want your customers to have. Where should they start? What should they see? What would you like them to touch? What sounds and smells will they experience? How will all of these touch points influence their purchasing? Do you want to encourage lingering for more sales opportunities?

Once you have your customer journey mapped out, it’s best to consult a professional on designing a floor plan that will provide this experience, while sticking to other retail design best practices. A professional can also assist with effective lighting, appropriate paint colors, proportions and incorporating architectural elements and focal walls or furnishings.

Here are some other store design musts:

• Declutter and regularly clean guest areas.
• Consider how surfaces and work stations will be used and make them multi-functional – especially in small spaces!
• Curate your displays to show all that you can do and inspire creativity, without overwhelming your customer with too many choices.
• Incorporate digital signage and samples of products, sizes and materials into your design to show more with less clutter.
• Rely upon professionally designed brochures and catalogs to show the full extent of what you do.

Next week we’ll be talking much more about the topic of curation. Stay tuned! http://theprintrefinery.com/