Whether you are expanding into a new location or looking to renovate your current office space, we are confident you will agree that a fit out should be carefully planned and executed. An establishment that appeals to your target market is worth the time and effort since it enhances the overall client experience. Whether you want to have stores in numerous locations or only one, you must be clear on your brand’s uniqueness and values from the start so that your company’s identity appropriately reflects them. However, before you open the doors to curious customers, you should carefully consider how to fit out your new store.
In this article, we will be going over how a good shop fit out design can add value to your shop so you can create a healthy environment that can attract many potential customers!
How shop fit outs can boost sales
A well-designed store in the ideal location can facilitate a pleasant shopping experience for customers. Customers who find what they are looking for are more inclined to purchase and return. Today, it’s all about the design and functionality of your store. Simple elements such as proper lighting and functional furniture placement can contribute to a great shopping experience for customers.
Different store settings convey your brand’s values, attracting appropriate customers. Planning and implementing a new look and feel for your store may be an exciting time for your business, with the prospect of new customers on the horizon. Regarding store fit outs, the advice is straightforward: choose little clutter for maximum impact. If you wish to build other stores, having a repeatable layout and shop fitting plan will facilitate the expansion of your business and brand into new retail spaces more efficiently.
Remember that your brand is more than a logo. An equally impressive online presence should always accompany a magnificent physical store. On the other hand, as customers want more engaging shopping experiences, the physical experience you provide can help your brand stand out across all consumer standards.
What to consider before you start your shop fit out
Your shop fit out is likely one of the most crucial business decisions you will make, regardless of the industry in which your company will be specialising. We listed down the things you will want to consider before finalising your current plan to ensure a smooth and successful fit out:
- Plan out the best possible layout
First, you should foresee and plan out an intuitive and appropriate plan for your particular type of retail store. Whether you require a traditional one with aisles or a standard open layout in boutiques, the shopfitter must provide it in an efficient arrangement. When selecting a physical retail space location, you should consider the accessibility of your clients. Once the space has been obtained, it is crucial to decide how your clients will interact with the area and select the most effective method of product presentation. Shop fitting is not limited to functional aspects like lighting, cash registers, and window displays.
Consider the customer experience you wish to provide.Keep in mind that you are selling an experience, not just a product. Rather than only providing room to sell your goods or service, you should use your new store fit-out to create a culture and an experience for your customers. Effective design and intelligent use of space are the best means of achieving this.
Encourage browsing with well-designed spaces, and lay out how you want customers to walk through the store and see as much of your inventory as possible. If your budget allows it, employ a store designer to ensure the best possible layout. Functionality reigns supreme. Thoughtfully constructed places prioritise both aesthetics and functionality. Create a shop fitting brief by compiling a list of the primary tasks of the space. Usability should not be sacrificed during layout design, as disgruntled clients are fast to abandon a site.
- Be mindful of your budget
With a plan in place, perform research to estimate expenditures and establish a reasonable budget. We recommend that you create a budget for the fit-out, taking into account all material costs, including the essential building, materials, lighting, flooring, signage, technology, fixtures, and most significantly, labour. Determine your priorities and adhere to them. Research and comparison shop for the most cost-effective supplies and goods.
Do not succumb to the temptation of unneeded fixtures and fittings, as they can easily cause prices to escalate. Ensure that your store is current and entertaining and that your goods and brand are the focal points. Creating a plan for shop fitting can also save time and money. By establishing a budget and schedule, you may prevent excessive expenses and select a shopfitting partner that can bring your idea to reality on time and under budget. The key to operating with a little budget is to keep things straightforward.
- Time is of the essence
Once you have a budget, you must arrange the project’s schedule. You want the fit-out to be completed as quickly as possible, eventually affecting your revenue. A professional fit-out will take some time. Therefore your new store must experience as much uninterrupted business as possible in the near future. Hiring a project manager to oversee project operations allows you to focus on what you do best: operating your business.
- Hire a professional for the best outcome
Decorating the interior of a store is much different from ornamenting a home. Each fit-out requires effective project management to ensure that it proceeds as planned. A specialist can offer a unique perspective, but competent shop fitters have completed similar build-outs and have valuable ideas. Look for a professional with an extensive network of contacts, as they may be able to negotiate discounts with suppliers such as electrical installers and furniture merchants. They should be knowledgeable about health and safety problems, identify potential trip and fire dangers, and verify that the fit out complies with all safety regulations.
Bottom Line
Despite the digital age focusing on online shops, a physical store has a significant advantage over its online counterpart since it commands the customer’s complete attention. Retailers, regardless of fit-out scale or budget, have the chance to develop and tell a story within their retail space; therefore, every aesthetic aspect should serve a purpose. Similarly, a productive shop layout is the key to ensuring that your retail store’s flow satisfies the immediate needs of every consumer. Make it simple for clients to navigate your store according to their preferences. Making your shop-fit convenient may simplify your consumers’ daily lives. This is a sure and straightforward technique to increase retail sales!
If you are in search of a trustworthy shopfitting company in Melbourne, then 360 Shopfitters are the team you’ve been looking for! We have the experience to deal with the complex challenges this type of work presents and deliver interiors that our clients can be proud of. Let us bring new life into your business, from a lick of paint to brighten things up to an entire strip out and re-fit. 360 Shopfitters have a wealth of experience and knowledge to help with a potentially stressful process. Working out of hours to keep your trading or closing for the shortest possible time, we can work with you on all aspects of the refurbishment.
