When people discuss retail businesses, they tend to focus on mass merchandisers. However, retail stores exist in many different types. Retail stores across the world sell jewelry, furniture, high-fashion apparel and discount merchandise, to name a few examples. Small stores operated by local owners account for the majority of retail locations. Small retailers often succeed by offering their customers convenience, satisfaction and personalized service.
Instructions
1. Pick a location for your retail business. Your business type will affect your choice of location. Coffee shops, gas stations and beauty salons should be located in an area where customers live or work. Customers will travel farther to shop at high-end apparel stores, craft stores and jewelry stores. Locating in a shopping mall requires you to open and close at predetermined times. You can set your own hours by locating in a separate facility.
2. Design the layout of your business. Choose a theme. For example, some stores that sell sporting goods have sports themes.
3. Decide on a color scheme. Select colors that add to the theme but don't detract from the merchandise. Beige is the most commonly used color for stores in shopping malls.
4. Select floor, ceiling and wall treatments. These help to create the business image. Various treatments motivate customers in different ways. For instance, hard floors encourage shoppers to walk quickly, while soft surfaces cause customers to walk slowly.
5. Design different sections within your retail store with a pathway for customers connecting them. The areas seen by the most customers must be carefully designed. The first display should be the best. Design sections along the pathway in ways that invite customers to enter.
6. Create a waiting area. Customers often need to sit down at some point during shopping trips. Provide comfortable seating. Don't have chairs facing walls. If possible, place the waiting area next to a store attraction to prevent customers from getting bored while they wait.
7. Select display fixtures. Several choices include tables, cubes, shelving and racks. Regardless of the combination of display fixtures you choose, your main objective is to make the store inventory appear full at all times. If you have a small inventory, purchase only a few display fixtures.
Tags: display fixtures, waiting area, your retail