The retail industry is constantly evolving under the pressure of rising consumer demands across the globe. Retailers are working hard to meet the demands of a modern consumer by improving their business models, store facilities, and optimizing their digital commerce. Here are the top six trends in the retail design and construction environment.
A Shift in Retail Trends
In the modern world, a customer is no longer shopping for a product as much as they are shopping for a complete experience. This is why retail has experienced tectonic shifts in terms of layout, presentation, e-commerce, and more, in an attempt to surpass their online peers by offering a complete customer experience. Thus, brands are working hard on establishing brand loyalty and affinity.
The Modern Retail Environment
The physical retail space can have a profound impact on a customer. Nowadays, the modern retail space is defined by ten crucial design features that can mean the difference between success and failure.
These are lighting, indoor air quality, thermal comfort, acoustics, interior layout, look and feel, inclusive design, greenery and natural elements, amenities, and community spaces. Addressing these problems is essential for building retail success.
A Complete Sensory Experience
Every brand needs to create a holistic, sensory experience the customers will love, and want to be a part of. By creating an intimate setting and a unique ambiance, the brand will separate itself from the competition and portray a story of quality and trustworthiness to its customers. The customers feel like they belong. Creating a positive, intimate environment that conveys the brand’s messages perfectly is crucial to success. A construction manager who recognizes the value of this environment is part of an impactful partnership.
Wayfinding and Layout
The layout of a retail space is supposed to help customer navigate around the store with ease, but it should also inspire them to peruse around the entire shop and ultimately buy an item they like. To that end, the store needs to be equipped with signs, adequate lighting, displays and landmarks, and safety indicators.
A Fresh Vibe
In the retail industry, first impressions are extremely important. Approaching the store, a customer will form an opinion about the brand and decide whether to walk in or go over to your competition. Therefore, cleanliness and illumination will be crucial in forming a positive opinion, but beyond that, the store needs to keep up with innovation and design trends.
The Importance of Flooring
Finally, flooring also plays a significant part of the overall retail experience. The shop will need to implement flooring wisely, and pay special attention to wayfinding, functionality, space definition, floor patterning, and even gloss. These details can enhance or decrease the overall experience.
The retail design environment has seen drastic changes in recent years. In an attempt to stay relevant in the increasingly digitalized world, retailers will have to introduce the newest trends that speak to the hearts and minds of their customers.
References:
designretailonline.com/projects/trends/
kingliving.com.au/
blog.capterra.com/small-business-retail-trends-for-2018/
customerthink.com/2018-retail-trends/
randalretail.com/top-trends-in-store-design/?doing_wp_cron=1516620966.1617939472198486328125
About the Guest Author:
Catherine is a passionate home design consultant from Melbourne. She loves making homes beautiful and buildings sustainable, but she also like sharing her advice and knowledge with people. That is why she is also a regular contributor to the Smoothdecorator blog. Besides all this, she loves reading and enjoys a superhero movie from time to time.
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