The Design of the Interior of Your Small Retail Business Should be Included in your Commercial Loan

The way your small retail store is laid out can either maximize or limit your sales because the small retail business in all about selling.  Because of this store layout is one of the most critical factors in small retail businesses.  Your small retail store layout also includes allocating internal space to specific supporting activities, such as storage, workrooms, receiving sections, etc.  Your layout also includes the strategic placement of all fixtures and equipment.  Your layout must also consider the flow of shoppers, employees, merchandise and supplies.

You must have aisles wide enough to pass each other without running into each other.

(You should be so lucky to have this problem)!  Also, you want to have passageways behind counters and showcases of at least 30 inches to allow sales associates to travel to and fro.  If you can afford it I would suggest the skills of a professional small retail store designer.  He or she will things you may not notice but your customer will feel.

There are four main approaches to retail store layout.  The grid (also known as the “gridiron” is the most popular.  This style is based on rectangles and is usually found in small retail stores.  Statistics show that shoppers most often turn right when they enter a store.  They make a sharp left turn and walk by displays, and then come to the other side of the store toward the register.  For a small retail business this style usually makes the most sense because it uses space efficiently.  This layout also simplifies the shopping experience, promotes a formal and businesslike atmosphere, is ideal for self service, and ensures maximum exposure of the small retail store’s merchandise to the shopper.  Variety stores and supermarkets also favor this format.  However, the “gridiron” approach to small retail business layout is rarely used in specialty-goods retail stores because customers enjoy browsing leisurely before buying.

The second approach to layout for small retail businesses is “free-form”.  A free-form

layout pattern is flexible and permits frequent changes as the mix of your merchandise changes over time.  Curves and arcs are prominent in free-form approach to small retail business layout.  This type of layout does not compel shoppers to follow pre-determined paths and “free-form” layouts are more graceful and pleasing to the eye than grid layouts.

“Free-form” layouts can encourage buying on impulse and to stay longer in the store.

The major disadvantage in using the “free-form” layout in a small retail business is that it is an inefficient way to use space.  Also, there is usually more shoplifting with this type of a layout and there are more stock control problems.

The third approach to layout for small retail businesses it the “boutique” style.  In this style designers combine the “grid” and the “free-form” styles.  This style creates small specialty shops on the selling floor.  The advantage to a “boutique” layout is that it makes it easy for a customer with a particular interest to see the complete offering in one small area.  With the “boutique” layout a small retail business owner can create an intimate climate so that customers feel like they are receiving more personal attention.

The “maze” strategy in small retail business layout sets up blocks to move customers into special areas and deliberately controls traffic flow.  Small retail business owners that use this type of layout believe that this design forces the customers through the store and/or requires customers to ask sales associates for assistance.  Opponents of this store design  believe that it creates consumer frustration and therefore discourages buying.  Opponents also say that this type of layout creates blind sections and corners which encourage shoplifting.

Remember, every square foot in your small retail business counts, so apportion your space carefully!