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- The Importance of Retail Storefront Design
- 11 Best Retail Storefront Design Tips to Attract More Customers
- 1. Emphasize Your Brand Identity
- 2. Understand Your Customers
- 3. Invest in Quality Signage
- 4. Create Eye-Catching Window Displays
- 5. Use Lighting Strategically
- 6. Showcase Current Offers and Campaigns
- 7. Take Advantage of Technology
- 8. Make Use of a Specific Theme
- 9. Pay Attention to Curb Appeal
- 10. Prioritize Store Accessibility
- 11. Pick a Suitable Floor Plan
- Key Takeaways
- FAQ about Retail Storefront Design Tips
11 Retail Storefront Design Tips You Should Know
Have you ever walked alongside a busy shopping district and observed the way different businesses design their stores? The moment you decided to come inside a store instead of its similar counterpart nearby, it means that the brand has succeeded in attracting you purely through its design. As sellers, we know you are all eager to learn the secret of these masterful retailers, so this blog post is here to let you in on the best retail storefront design tips to emulate their success.
The Importance of Retail Storefront Design
Customers are more drawn to well-designed retail stores since they are the precursors for quality products and enjoyable shopping experiences.
A retail storefront refers to the exterior design of one’s store, namely the signage, window displays, entrance design, lighting, etc. These elements work together to create a functional and visually-pleasing appearance of a store to attract foot traffic. If a retailer manages to have passersby come inside even when they did not intend to, that is solid proof of a brilliant storefront design.
Surpassing purely making sales, having an eye-catching storefront design also an effective tactic to build trust, differentiate you from the competitors, and encourage word-of-mouth marketing. If you thought having a storefront (re)design is just spending the big bucks on a cosmetic revamp, you would be mistaken. It plays an important role in keeping your brand on people’s lips, and we will show you exactly how to utilize this strategy with the best tips below.
11 Best Retail Storefront Design Tips to Attract More Customers
1. Emphasize Your Brand Identity
Apple’s logo is so widely recognizable that the company needs no other signage to draw customers into the store. Source: Forbes.
If you try to think of an instantly recognizable logo, brands like Nike or Coca-Cola might come to mind. Though being of equal standing, Apple could take the most popular logo award. The simple apple with a bite taken out has been the company’s branding symbol for decades, and it has done an excellent job of incorporating this logo into its retail stores to emphasize brand identity perfectly.
By embracing a ‘less is more’ approach, Apple’s storefront can be spotted from miles away with its iconic logo hung right at the entryway, sans any other signage. This design choice is especially efficient for businesses with minimalist aesthetics and basic color schemes, such as tech and contemporary fashion brands.
For businesses with more extensive catalogs or louder color patterns, feel free to display your branded elements as part of the exterior design as well. However, make sure to communicate clearly what your products are to attract customers at first glance. The goal is to accentuate brand identity, not to be a minimalist or maximalist establishment.
2. Understand Your Customers
LEGO knows its customers and their undying interest in its products, so a ‘Pick & Build’ station was introduce to keep them stay in the store for longer. Source: Lego.
LEGO is a famous brand across the globe, not just among kids but adults of all ages as well. The company’s approach in retail store design balances the best of both worlds: colorful and childlike enough to get children to pull their parents inside at all costs, but still neatly organized with upper shelves and neutral colors in certain areas for adults to freely browse by themselves.
The door to a typical LEGO store is wide and inviting, which leads shoppers to every nook and cranny, up until the ‘Pick & Build’ section - a fun, customizable experience that lets you buy individual pieces to craft your own creations. This goes to show the brand’s dedication to understanding what their customers want and aptly designed a retail storefront that delivers just the thing.
As a merchant, you could find yourself buying more plants, installing multilingual signs, changing the music, and so on; they are all parts of the process of inching closer to a user-friendly storefront by listening to your customers.
3. Invest in Quality Signage
A high-quality sign attracts shoppers and reinforce your brand identity naturally, no matter the size of your business. Source: Nikkei Asia.
People look for your signs first to know what you sell. An adequate one will tell them the answer and keep them moving, but a quality sign will grab their attention and make them enter the store for more. Though it seems simple, the process of choosing suitable signage for your store calls for proper planning. Here are some factors to include in your checklist:
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Types of signs: hanging, window, sandwich board, etc.
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Materials: PVC, neon, wood, decals, etc.
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Sizes and placements
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Local or overseas signage providers
Don Quijote, often referred to as Donki, is a popular discount retail chain in Japan. Carrying an impressive collection of products, ranging from home goods, cosmetics, office supplies, to luxury items, the company has done an outstanding job of advertising its stores by having head-turning signage.
A multitude of illuminated signs, sandwich boards, promotion posters, and the like are proudly displayed right at the entrance, catching everyone’s eyes. If you are in the same niche, following the same footsteps could be a good call, starting from investing in durable and premium signage, especially in a hectic location like a shopping district.
4. Create Eye-Catching Window Displays
Passersby want to have a sneak peek of your products before entering, so using an enticing window display like Flying Tiger is an excellent design choice. Source: Flying Tiger.
Glass is a familiar material with the majority of retail sellers since it kills it at exhibiting the cream of the crop to potential customers even before they set foot in your store. While usually utilized by fashion and jewelry brands, window display is a universal design strategy across all industries.
The Danish variety store chain Flying Tiger is a prime example of window displays done right, as it is known for switching up its items and decor regularly to reflect the current seasonal events. That said, instead of solely replacing old products with the new ones, Flying Tiger is dedicated to redesigning the whole vibe of the displays.
During the Christmas season, shoppers will find on-theme products like snowman candles, Santa trinket boxes, red and green cups, Christmas tree plushies, etc. being surrounded by props, taglines, and well-designed posters. These window displays not only notify customers of the new arrivals, but also grant the storefront a complete revampl.
What about off-seasons? Flying Tiger is not short of matching and other promotional items to showcase as well. If your store does not always stock seasonal goods, opting for best sellers or weather-appropriate attire is a foolproof method to keep your window displays in pristine condition.
5. Use Lighting Strategically
Each retail store has its own lighting system that evokes certain emotions in customers, thus making them want to come in and explore. Source: Retail Insider.
When you have just opened a small brick-and-mortar store, lighting might not be a priority. However, it is a vital element to keep in check when it comes time for a design upgrade. If you noticed, every space embodies a different lighting system based on its offered product and service. The lighting in a retail grocery chain is not the same as that of a lavish perfumery, and there are good reasons for this difference. To know which kind of lighting matches your store, take a look at this brief breakdown:
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Focus on creating a strong first impression (i.e., neon or bold lights)
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Match the aesthetic of your brand (i.e., warm lighting for a small artisanal shop, crisp and cool white lighting for a luxury store)
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Layer different lighting
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Change lighting throughout the day
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Make use of eco-friendly options
These key points can help you determine which lighting system to go with to be both practical and visually striking. Additionally, studying leading brands in the same niche enables you to make a more informed decision. As pictured, the clothing brand Aritzia decided to adorn its storefront with soft, slightly warm lighting, which goes incredibly well with the wooden exterior and neutral-colored items on display. As a result, the space feels inviting and cozy - a plus for attracting new buyers.
6. Showcase Current Offers and Campaigns
Advertise your campaigns by placing hard-to-miss signs and posters in front of your store like Victoria’s Secret did. Source: Business Insider.
If you have an alluring offer, better let your customers know. The storefront is the ideal place to display any of your promotions, limited collections, or exclusive seasonal offers. We have all strolled along the mall and passed by dozens of these signs with banging deals, where even the stores where we never wandered in caught our eyes. Keep in mind: customers love saving money, even when they have to spend it first.
For stores with limited space, opt for decal posters or banners on the windows. For larger businesses, sandwich boards or even mascots can be shown to draw in more attention. Clothing brands are the perfect candidates for these storefront campaign signs, as pictured above. Victoria’s Secret placed a matching hot pink sign to advertise its discount deal, which blends smoothly into the exterior and interior designs. By keeping the text short and sweet, shoppers also know what the offer is at first glance.
7. Take Advantage of Technology
UNIQLO’s self-checkout system has been implemented in numerous locations around the world. Source: Forbes.
Technology makes shopping significantly easier. From the standardization of card payment to the surge of eCommerce, it is getting more and more intuitive for both sellers and buyers. With a physical store, technology is an integral component, be it the self-checkout, price checker, or AR and VR. Even if you manage a small corner shop, implementing one or some of these machines will have major benefits to your business in the long run.
With a global brand like UNIQLO, the daily foot traffic to each of its locations around the world is incredibly high. Thus, the company has set up these handy self-checkouts for a quick checkout process without a queue. Simply put your stuff in the designated box, confirm your order, pay with the card reader, and voilà, everything is done in as fast as a minute. If your business received a similar traffic flow to UNIQLO, this system could be a game-changer.
8. Make Use of a Specific Theme
Known for its clean and ethically sourced skincare products, Lush has designed a storefront aesthetic that perfectly captures the company’s mantra. Source: Lush.
If your brand possesses a specific theme, make use of it ASAP. Your retail store captures the spirit of your business, so pulling out all the stops is one of the best strategies to create long-lasting impressions with shoppers. Remember, it is not about only using a color combo or playing one artist on the speaker over and over. Cohesion is the keyword, and here is how you can obtain it:
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Define your brand’s image, target audience, and the desired message to convey
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Study color psychology (i.e., red to signify passion, yellow for optimism)
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Scout for matching decor (materials, wall accents, furniture, etc.)
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Curate a matching playlist to set the mood
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Keep an eye on the predecessors and competitors with similar themes
When talking about store theme, Lush rises above as a prominent example. The brand’s commitment to using ethically-sourced ingredients, doing charity, and staying cruelty-free is perfectly conveyed through the rustic and intimate store design, from the inviting doorway to the cleverly placed items on different shelves. Wherever it is, Lush is instantly detectable.
9. Pay Attention to Curb Appeal
Bodega showcases a one-of-a-kind storefront design and seamlessly blends into the surrounding environment. Source: Uncover Los Angeles.
‘Curb appeal’ is a term coined in the real estate industry, but its meaning can be applied to any type of building or storefront whose visual attractiveness can be viewed from the street. In short, the key points above are all components to create what every business owner strives for: the curb appeal of their storefront.
So, how to achieve it? Apart from acing the lighting, picking long-lasting signage, crafting envy-worthy window displays, leveraging technology, here are more criteria to help you hit that sweet spot:
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Take advantage of landscaping and greenery: incorporate potted plants, flowers, small trees, and general green details to liven up the place
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Build a cozy patio area: for lifestyle brands, giving customers a place to sit and chit-chat makes the store look more inviting
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Keep it clean and well-maintained: sweep and clean the entryway, windows, and other surfaces to maintain a polished look
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Match the neighborhood aesthetic: make use of the rented place and the neighbor stores to blend in
There are many ways to approach this design tip, and going all out like Bodega is a risky yet clever move. This Boston-born streetwear brand hit the streets of Los Angeles and managed to build a unique retail store there. Instead of opening up a run-of-the-mill boutique, Bodega’s founders decided to conceal their store in the heart of a retail and dining hotbed, following the ‘hidden in plain sight’ storefront design.
At first glance, the store looks like a regular bodega you would find on the street corner, all completed with faux produce crates and other household items. This one-of-a-kind design choice makes Bodega stand out in such a saturated area, giving the brand an edge over the competitors.
10. Prioritize Store Accessibility
Easily pick up your order with Dick’s Sporting Goods curbside pickup option. Source: Krazy Coupon Lady.
Apart from aesthetic renovation, store accessibility is one important factor that merchants can’t overlook. When customers can’t physically access your store or can’t make out the entrance signs, that’s a big hindrance. To alleviate these issues, pay attention to these details:
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Disability-friendly entrance (i.e., wheelchair ramp, automatic doors, level and nonslip flooring)
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Easy-to-read and multilingual signs (especially when you are located in a multicultural country)
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Well-lit pathway with tactile strips
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Outdoor seating near the entrance
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Closeby parking with accessible parking spots
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Offer curbside pickup
Dick’s Sporting Goods is a household name among American consumers for its comprehensive collection of athlete clothes, footwear, and equipment. Knowing the size of its establishment and products, the company has introduced curbside pickup for a more intuitive customer experience.
Buyers are able to order in advance, pull up in their vehicles, and get their goods delivered without stepping out of their cars. While large retail chains are more capable of implementing these features to their storefronts, small businesses can still begin by making changes that cater to a wider range of shoppers.
11. Pick a Suitable Floor Plan
The floor plan of your choice determines how your customers shop, so a suitable design is crucial to avoid losing valuable sales.
Last but not least, a suitable floor plan is one of the best storefront design tips on our list. Why? The reason is simple: a flashy storefront will be all for nothing without a floor plan that makes sense. Though not directly being a part of the storefront, this design tip still matters for a complete shopping experience. There are ten common design layouts that businesses of all sizes have chosen for their retail stores, from a simple loop layout to an elevated herringbone layout. Want to pinpoint your perfect match? Read up on our article for a closer look: The Only Guide You Need to Design the Best Retail Store Layouts.
Key Takeaways
Doing business goes beyond making sales, since the retail storefront that you have acquired should be the embodiment of your brand to a T. Whether you decide to adopt one, some, or all of our tips, it would introduce a chance for your brand to grow and attract more shoppers. When in doubt, take small steps and make appropriate changes until the storefront of your dreams has been materialized!
FAQ about Retail Storefront Design Tips
