Taking the leap from a primarily online home business to a brick-and-mortar store is a huge milestone for any small business owner. While it’s exciting, it comes with its own challenges as well. Before you hit the ground running with your first physical shop, you need to understand that you’re not just selling products online anymore. Now, it’s all about making a great experience for your in-store customers.
Comfort is at the heart of a terrific shopping experience (aside from branding and interesting products).! You want your store to feel inviting and welcoming, not just so people will stay and look around longer, but to potentially rack up those sales. If you’re not sure how to make your physical store feel cozy, here are some helpful tips for you.
Invest in a Reliable Commercial HVAC System
Many small businesses don’t invest in temperature control in their first physical shop in the hopes of cutting down on utility costs. However, when it’s scorching hot in the summer or freezing cold in the winter, customers can be very uncomfortable in your store.
You can manage heating, cooling, and ventilation in your retail space by investing in commercial HVAC systems. It might cost you a bit extra right off the bat, but it will make your shop extra inviting and comfortable to visit. Customers will want to linger longer and browse through your offerings, which increases the likelihood of them purchasing something at the end of their visit.
Train Staff to Be Attentive Without Pressure
Many customers don’t appreciate when retail store staff are overly pushy and try to hard-sell products. They might see it as invading their personal space when they’d like to shop alone. At the same time, other customers feel like they aren’t valued if the staff doesn’t pay attention to them, especially when they need help.
Customers feel more comfortable in a shop when the staff tend to them how they want. That’s why it’s important to invest in employee training to teach your staff customer cues so they know when to be extra attentive, and when to lay low and let the customer explore on their own without any pressure.
Design a Store with Wide Aisles
Narrow aisles can make your retail store feel cramped. Just imagine hordes of customers trying to look through racks of clothing or shelves filled with books in super-tight aisles with little to no room to move around in. To improve the flow of foot traffic in and around your store, design it with wide aisles. This will make your shop look more spacious and open, giving it a more inviting feel. It’s also terrific for customers with mobility issues or toddlers in strollers!
Don’t Play Music Too Loud
While playing music in a retail store is great for creating a fun, cozy ambiance in the space, it shouldn’t overpower the entire shopping experience. Not only is it overwhelming and distracting, but it can also make communication between your staff and customers difficult. Instead of playing music at a high volume, turn it down a few notches, especially if you’re playing dance, rock, or pop music. If you want music to be a big part of the experience at your shop, choose a playlist that is more mellow, like those that play lo-fi beats or coffee shop music.
Add Cozy Seating Areas
Shoppers with their partners or children might leave your shop earlier than they originally intended if the people they’re with aren’t comfortable in the shop. Kids might start whining about wanting to leave, while other companions show signs of restlessness.
To keep everyone happy, add comfortable seating areas like couches and benches around your store, especially if it’s particularly big. This is an excellent spot for families to wait patiently while someone looks around your store. It’s also terrific for shoppers who want to pause and rest after exploring your space for a while.
Provide In-Store Shopping Bags
Holding multiple items can be a hassle for customers when they’re looking around to see other offerings in your store. To make it a little easier for them, provide in-store shopping bags or baskets they can use while exploring your shop. You can even brand these bags by plastering your cute brand logo on them.
Endnote
Setting up your first physical store after running a home business for so long isn’t just about showcasing your products and making the place look “aesthetic”. It’s also about making every corner of the store comfortable for your customers. Make sure your store is clean, cozy, and inviting with our tips above, and your new customers will be sure to stay, explore, and linger a little bit longer, maybe just long enough to buy one of your products.
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