There are a number of limitations that can restrict the quality of a store’s design. Often it is the physical dimensions and structure of a space or the time available within which to design it. However, almost every retailer will agree that the most confining aspect of a store’s design potential is budget.
While a small budget will certainly prevent major renovation work, as well as crossing a few luxuries from off of your list, it isn’t always as restrictive as it is made out to be. There are a number of ways in which even a modest budget can be used to achieve creative and effective shop design. Drawing from the experience of established high street retailers, we’ve put together a concise guide as to how.
Optimised Furniture
Versatility in-store design is hugely beneficial with certain retail furniture and shop shelving designs lending themselves to efficient usage. These designs, most typically found in modular store features such as slatwall panels, are ideal choices for those retailers working to a strict budget because they are adaptable. This means that individual store assets can be used for multiple purposes and even changed quickly to accommodate new products or customer footfall.
Creatively minded retailers will then be able to adapt their shelving to ongoing needs, changing designs and utilisations to showcase their changing stock, saving them the cost of purchasing multiple and various shop shelving assets.
Utilise Space
The absence of content isn’t always a negative feature. In fact, for many retailers store space is such a valuable asset that they work hard to achieve as much as possible while still retaining their products’ presence. While you may be struggling to occupy each part of your store’s floorplan with design assets, be sure to incorporate space into your shopping experience. It may seem counterintuitive at first but customers will often value the room.
Be sure to approach your shop design with scrutiny, adding only what is absolutely necessary to your business’ operation. Many retailers encounter the pitfall of purchasing store assets too early, later learning that they are non-essential. It pays off to underspend early on, then make purchases as they become essential.
Upcycle And Recycle
Reclaiming what would otherwise become waste is both frugal and a platform for amazing creativity. Many stores across the country are now seeking to not only embrace individual store design, those that separate them from other national chains and embrace local aesthetics but also promote sustainability.
Making use of and sourcing previously used materials is an excellent way to significantly reduce initial costs. Promising you have both the time and the experience to craft them into a useful part of your shop’s design and function.
Spend More On Less
Purchasing an abundance of low-quality assets will not do your retail experience any good in the long term. As their low-quality construction begins to fail and customers notice their unimpressive design, they will begin to cost more than their initial purchase price. It is far better to spend more money and fewer items, ensuring that they are, instead, of a higher quality.
