With more and more people opting to open up stores online in the realm of E-commerce, it seems that advice for those considering opening up a tangible, brick and mortar store is dwindling. This is a shame, as though a brick and mortar shop may require a little more upkeep than an online store, it is still an extremely viable business option and something that keeps our high streets busy and bustling. So, if you’re planning on, quite literally, opening up shop, don’t worry. We’re here to help! The process may be daunting, but the results will be extremely fruitful. Here’s everything you need to know to create a beautiful physical store.
The Right Commercial Property
First things first, you’re going to have to find the right commercial property for your needs. Let’s start with size. You want the shop floor to be the ideal size for showcasing your goods. Too big and your store will seem empty and sparse. Too small and your displays will be cramped and things will come across as cluttered, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere where customers are scared to move for knocking things over. You will then need to ensure that there is sufficient space out back, not only for your stock. There will also have to be sufficient space for a staff room where employees can take their breaks, storage for their belongings, and facilities such as staff toilets. Once you find something of the right size and stature for your needs, you should also check that its location is convenient. Customers are unlikely to go extremely out of their way to get to a store. At the end of the day, most goods can be purchased online and delivered straight to their door nowadays. So unless you’re in a convenient spot, you’re not going to see many people coming through your doors. High traffic footfall areas are ideal. So consider outlets on high streets or in shopping complexes. These may have a higher rent, but it’ll be worth it once you see the customers rolling in.
A Sign
Once you’ve found where you’re going to be operating, it’s time to mark your territory. Have a sign made up by an experienced professional in the field, such as GrandMark Signs. They will be able to measure up the shop front properly and give you the best options so as to stand out to consumers without breaking rules and regulations regarding how large a sign you can have in the given area. Collaborate with them to have the right colour scheme, best materials, and to go through options such as lighting if you are going to be operating later than sunset.
Interior Design
Now for the exciting part: your interiors. Whatever goes on in here is entirely down to personal taste. However, a few pieces of sage advice shouldn’t go amiss. You want to ensure that everything aligns with your brand aesthetic. It’s best to start making notes of this before you so much as pick up a paintbrush. Make sure to stick to a consistent colour scheme throughout. Then fit the essentials for display, such as rails and shelves. Finally, put in fixtures such as a check out and a till.
Once all of these features are in place, you should be pretty set to go! Remember to be patient. This process can take a while, but once everything is together, you shouldn’t have to make many changes for a long time.
