People often associate the dimming of lights with “setting a romantic mood.” Many workplaces will also turn off the overhead fluorescents in favor of lamp light. Who hasn’t cursed bad lighting on a first date or even actually considered buying a light-up case for their cell phone? There’s no question: lighting makes a difference and sets the tone.

So, how can your retail store take advantage of lighting and colors for a more memorable (not to mention profitable) customer experience? We’ll discuss various retail store lighting ideas and display color schemes that will have your customers shopping and you on the path to record sales.

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When we talk about “retail traffic flow,” you may be picturing a rush hour highway instead of the way shoppers move throughout your store. In a way, your mental image of a busy street isn’t so far off the mark. Most of us move through stores and aisles following ingrained traffic laws like “keep to the right” whether we’re on foot or four wheels. Read on to learn about the subconscious “traffic laws” your shoppers follow – and how your retail store’s layout can optimize that natural retail store traffic.

Get On the Grid
A good retail floor traffic flow allows your customers to move through every part of your store efficiently – while ensuring that customers don’t just grab what they need and walk right to your register, missing over half your merchandise. How customers move through your store can depend on what you’re selling.

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Whether in fashion, design or art, the answer is clear: less is more.

The era of the “maximalist” is definitely over, and minimalism seems like it could be here to stay. Let your customers and clients know you’re in touch with the latest retail design trends by scaling down your displays and store layouts. Crisp, clean lines show your shoppers that your products can stand on their own—savvy shoppers don’t need an in-your-face display to distract and coerce them into making that purchase. Let’s take a look at some of our favorite minimalist retail displays and layouts.

Canvas, New York, NY—This home goods and furniture store has always had a minimalist brand design, and their company is all about creating sustainable products that are environmentally friendly. They’ve done a phenomenal job of keeping their layout “on brand” by essentially creating a home that customers can walk through and pick products from. Dishes are neatly stacked in a simple wooden bookshelf, there are hardly any loud, bright red retail signs and even the exterior sign is clean: a black awning with the store’s name typed in all lowercase letters. Only a small fraction of the stock is placed on the shelves and furniture, giving the store a “lived-in” feel that immediately relaxes customers and makes them want to recreate the relaxed environment in their own homes.

Continue reading “Mastering Minimalism in Your Retail Store” →