In a changing world where ecommerce is becoming more powerful and more prominent, in-store experiences must be unforgettable. For this, the use of technology or good lighting is not enough. Interior design and decoration also help make the physical experience in commercial spaces unique.
Why is retail design so important?
The goal of commercial spaces is to sell. For this reason, in stores all the details matter: from music, lighting, decoration or staff uniforms to the distribution of the store, … Absolutely everything responds to a retail design strategy whose objective is to transmit certain values or ideas about the brand. Therefore, we could consider that retail design in furniture, household and decoration stores, and in any sector in general, is also a marketing and branding tool.
But retail design goes far beyond the mere transmission of values or brand image, it also plays a fundamental role in the purchasing process. It helps to design a commercial space that stands out from the competition and helps customers feel identified with the brand.
In short, a customer’s purchase decision does not depend solely on the product itself, there are other indicators related to retail design that interfere.
Functional aesthetics
Modular and creative: isn’t this easy?
How should retail design be?
Research is the first key aspect in the design process of a new retail space. It is a preliminary study and analysis phase in which the brand will have to:
- Determine objectives
- Take the location into account.
- Consider the corporate identity (colors, typography, etc)
With all this information, the pillars of the retail design of a commercial space will be the brand identity and differentiation. The combination of both aspects is what will help us attract a very wide audience. For example, if a furniture store specializes in Nordic-style furniture, the decoration and design of the space should also incorporate the characteristics related to that style: simple, functional, comfortable … In this way, customers can feel the environment that they want to recreate in their home.
On the other hand, we must not forget that retail design is also a way of getting new customers who will start to be interested in the products or services offered by the brand as they learn about its principles, style, objectives, etc.
Last but not least, not only the view and the colors interfere in the design of stores and commercial spaces. It is also necessary to value elements such as the aroma or the music, capable of leaving a mark on the public, who may remember the store or brand due to its smell or the style of music that was heard in it.
In sum, the design and decoration of commercial establishments has three main objectives:
- Contribute to increasing store sales.
- Create an atmosphere and positive perception of the brand.
- Recreate a unique shopping experience.
Key aspects of retail design in furniture, household and decoration stores
Now that we know what retail design is for, from CAAD we want to offer some tips for a successful interior design for furniture and home decoration stores. Thus, we can talk about five key aspects:
We offer the perfection of a retail design furniture system within a balance between functionality and aesthetics.
Unite digital world and physical experience
If something has become clear to us with the appearance of concepts such as omnichannel or new retail intelligence, it is that online sales and physical store sales must go hand in hand. Only in this way will we achieve a unique shopping experience in which, of course, design also plays a fundamental role.
An example of this combination is Bloomingdale, a brand that uses virtual reality to allow people to try on the glasses from the sidewalk. Thus, without even entering the establishment, the customer can receive on his mobile the price of the glasses that have been tested.
Create a shopping experience
Trends in the retail sector are geared towards shopping experiences. Only then will physical stores survive ecommerce. In this sense, a great example of experience is Kirkland’s. This American brand that sells furniture, home decor, textiles, etc. has developed a new store concept in its Brendwood, Tennessee store.
The brand has decided to set up an area called “Creation Station”, where customers can combine different products from the store to see how that mix would look in their homes.
It is a very innovative concept of retail design in furniture, household and decoration stores that differentiates it from the competition and, at the same time, offers an unforgettable physical shopping experience.
https://youtu.be/Iz8XW8KM6PE
Product placement
Another aspect to value in the design of a commercial space dedicated to furniture and household items is the placement of the product. On the one hand, it is important to recreate spaces that serve the client to imagine that product in their home. For this reason, in the retail design of furniture and decoration stores, the exhibition areas are of vital importance.
Along the same lines, the way to store or display the kitchenware and decoration is relevant. For example, more delicate objects such as glass vases should have enough space so that they are not cluttered and, at the same time, facilitate comfortable handling by both the user and the employees. Meanwhile, towels or tablecloths could be placed on upper shelves because they are made of a material that is not at risk of breaking.
Also the placement and storage of the products may vary depending on their price and quality. The most luxurious products are often shown to the customer by the staff, therefore, once again, they must be easy to manipulate.
The situation is completely different in cheaper or low cost stores, where the exhibitors are usually grouped by sections, shapes or colors to facilitate the purchase by the customer.
Functionality
Closely linked to the placement of the product is the functionality of the furniture in the store. In this sense, from CAAD we are committed to a retail design for furniture, household and decoration stores where aesthetic functionality is characterized by modular and creative spaces. In this way, we achieve the much desired balance between the importance of a useful and easy-to-use but also attractive space.
Sustainability
This key could be considered to be rather secondary. However, there are brands that carry sustainability in their DNA. Therefore, they want a retail design that takes into account respect for the environment, evaluating aspects such as the materials used, energy efficiency or obtaining a sustainability certificate.
As an example we can mention the Granel stores in Barcelona. Dedicated to the bulk sale of food, responsible consumption and the reduction of waste are some of its principles. Values that they transmit through retail design in their stores where the products are displayed without industrial packaging and recreating a natural environment.
Conclusion
Retail design in furniture, household and decoration stores has its own peculiarities, such as the need to have large spaces for the exhibition of their products in a way that recreates domestic environments.
At the same time, the placement of the product in these spaces must be functional as well as aesthetic and practical to guarantee a unique shopping experience for the consumer.
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