A Memorable Store Design Is Essential to Showcasing Your Business’ Aesthetic in New York City
In a world where it’s never been easier to buy something online, you may want to make sure that your in-store customer experience is as smooth, seamless, and as welcoming as possible. Here are four things to consider as you think through how to create a memorable store design that showcases your store’s aesthetic in New York City.
Start With Your Customer
You know who your customer is at this point, and maybe you’ve even developed an avatar. To make your store experience memorable, a great place to begin is with your ideal customer’s taste, interests, outlook, etc. When your customers come into your store, you want them to feel right at home.
So, what exactly does that mean? For example, a high-end home decor store would have a different feel from an athletic shoe store. Different color palette. Different decorating scheme. Different overall experience. As you think through store design options with a general contractor, it may be helpful to start a list of all the things that come to mind when you think of your ideal customer and write them down as quickly as possible. You can edit this list later.
Have a Good Layout
In creating your store layout, it could be helpful to simulate your customer’s in-store journey. You’ll have walk-ins who will likely come in to browse your collection. Others may have found you online and decided to come in perhaps to check out a specific item. Try coming into your store as a walk in ready to browse. How can the layout of your store help direct that experience in a way that helps your customer? How can the flow of merchandise engage your customer? Are there anchor spots in the store that you want to lead them to? What about various touch points along the way, where there’s something to examine more closely—something to touch and hold, something to look at, a scent that’s inviting?
What about accessibility? Are some items stacked on shelves that only people of a certain height can reach? Take a look around at potential problem areas like that. Maybe you’ve put so much out on the floor, it’s gotten a little crowded, impacting the sightlines. Make a point of testing the flow yourself but also have people who work for you do the same thing.
Use Lighting Effectively
Since you and your general contractor are already thinking about the layout, don’t forget to have a discussion about lighting. Light placement is extremely important, especially if you expect traffic after dark or during the holidays. Light provides visual cues that catch the eye. Light creates warmth and coziness, especially if it’s dark and cold outside. Light is inviting and welcoming. Well-appointed light can make a big difference in your overall scheme.
Give Special Consideration to Signage
Having clear, compelling signage is key not only to your branding but to helping your customers find you. Consider signage in your window, outside your door, and on your building.
Greeting your customers with a compelling, coherent design that feels like a home away from home can increase your chances of greater customer engagement, better sales, and more customers coming back.