Do you know what a customer guidance system is and what it provides? Customers are eager to return to a store that is convenient, well-labeled and intuitive. How to choose store equipment so that it does not overwhelm, and the available space is well used?
How to equip a store – aisle area
Arranging the interior of the store should start with determining:
- The nature of the facility – whether it will be a store: grocery, sports, shoe, paper, etc…,
- Who is the target group – children, the elderly (need lower furniture) adults, people with disabilities,
- The amount of goods to be displayed,
- The available commercial space (the size of the floor area and the height of the commercial hall),
- Location of the store – free-standing, in a residential building (e.g., the first floor of an apartment block or townhouse), a shopping mall,
- Budget.
Based on the location of the store, the appearance of the first element, the transition area, can be determined. What is it? In the case of free-standing stores or those that have an exit directly onto the street, a transition zone is used, which is a kind of vestibule of the store. It is a buffer to protect the commercial room from cooling or noise coming from the street. The longer the transition zone, the better it meets these objectives. It is in it that directional signage gates are often placed.
A long vestibule can further contribute to the store’s turnover, since on average a customer starts looking around for goods after walking 3 meters. So the matter becomes clear – the distance from the entrance to the first racks with goods should be no less than 3 meters (the transition zone should be as close as possible to the entrance to the store). Otherwise, goods at a shorter distance may enjoy less success because they will not be noticed by customers. This also applies to the shopping cart or cart – it, too, should be positioned according to this rule and, moreover, on the right side (most people in Poland are right-handed). In addition, by setting up the shopping cart you are suggesting to the customer the direction in which to move.
The case is different for stores located inside a shopping mall. There, the transition zone is shorter – it does not need to protect against cold, wind or other external factors.
Store equipment – selecting furniture for a large area
The way the furniture is set up is very important, so how to equip the store? Store shelves or gondolas that reach all the way to the ceiling can make an overwhelming impression and visually reduce the space. In addition, they create a kind of maze in which the customer can get lost. To prevent this from happening, the shelves should be placed far apart so that the aisles are wide and allow two people with shopping carts or baskets to pass each other.
In large-format stores, it’s a good idea to set low store fixtures that don’t close off space. In the case of large sales rooms, this also contributes to increasing the level of security (when mirrors placed in the corners of the room under the ceiling are added, the staff can see everything that is happening in the room) and raising the quality of service – employees have the ability to see a customer who is looking for something and help them.
How to equip a store with a small area?
Small store owners most often struggle to fit as much merchandise as possible into a small space. With the help of store furniture tailored to the room. Such dedicated solutions are not only useful, but can also be pretty and unique. Laser-cut metal shelving, designed for a specific space, can create an industrial composition, for example. Because they are customized, they can be unique – unusual shapes create a modern or avant-garde space that is not only usable, but also aesthetically pleasing.
How to equip a small-format store? Small stores use high store equipment. This gives you the opportunity to display more goods in a small area.
Here it is worth adding that the use of store furniture dedicated to specific goods will affect the better use of space. Such furniture as store gondolas, display cases, newspaper or postcard racks take up less space. A good idea to create a unified and well-arranged composition is to buy system furniture that matches the room.
How much does it cost to equip a store?
The price you have to pay for store equipment depends on several factors:
- area – the amount of furniture needed,
- arrangement – whether the furniture should be directed to a particular style,
- Fitting – whether they are made to order (fitted to the surface),
- components – types of shelving, counters and other components,
- additional equipment needed, e.g., a cart for carrying heavy supplies,
- the amount of electronics – here it is worth considering whether the sales system will be operated only with a reader, cash register and terminal or whether a computer is needed, plus additional options, such as: alarm, monitoring, etc.
How much it costs to equip a store is also influenced by how prepared the premises are. When renting or buying a room for a store, pay attention to the condition of the plumbing, electrical and heating systems. In addition, it is important whether the property has equipped sanitary facilities.
The arrangement of a store can significantly increase its sales performance, so it is worth betting on comfortable furniture and good equipment. If you want an original interior that draws attention to itself, choose furniture that fits your needs. When buying store equipment, remember that the store equipment you choose must be safe and perform its functions – this is not worth saving on.