Shopping is no longer restricted to festive occasions, birthdays and anniversaries, or weddings. People shop the year-round bringing about a boom in the number of retail outlets in markets. Local markets have become hubs of marketing and socialising for residents.

With online marketing catching up fast due to its convenience, retailers need to make a key turnover to attract clients to their shops. Here are some tips to set up stores that not only look good but connect with the public as well.

Entrance

People living in the fast-paced world have little time to go to each shop and look for things they want to buy. An attractive, well lit and innovative display outside the shop gives them a clue they want and make them cross the road in heavy traffic too. It should be neat and clean, not faded or broken. That’s your name or brand, so it needs that extra care. Place some fake trees on either side of the entrance to welcome customers. Keep a neat and clean mat inside the doorway. Have a guard welcoming them if possible. See that the labels of ‘push’ or ‘pull’ are correctly fixed on the door.

Display Windows

The same holds good for an attractive display window. Keep these neat and clean with bright lights to highlight what you want to sell. Change the displays from time to time to keep up with the changing trends. Arrange and decorate them as per festivals and seasons to touch the heart of your customers. Place an innovate theme for these displays. Showcase the best that you have in a variety of colours and designs.

Exteriors and Interiors

The outward appearance or the exteriors of your shop are equally important. Keep the walls clean. Paint them and make sure that there is no seepage and leakage outside or inside as this puts off the prospective clients. Apply decorative 3d wall panels inside the store for that neat, cool, and attractive look.

Service

Welcome your customers. It’s because of them that your store will run. Many shoppers look for help when they browse around your store. Make sure that your staff gives a good service to them. Train them to be patient, polite and helpful; but not intrusive as many clients don’t wish to be disturbed while walking around retails outlets. Ask your staff to smile and have a pleasant expression. Offer water to the customers. These simple gestures go a long way in building relationships with them. Remember regular clients and their taste. This really touches their heart, and they always come back for more.

You can even arrange for parking space for the clients. Reliable valet parking is also a good option as many customers don’t go into a shop due to parking problems. They will definitely stop at a store offering parking space.

Space Management

You may have a huge store or a small one, but you still need to manage the space inside. Products for sale, salespeople, display cabinets, seating, cash counter, etc. all need to be placed inside. Make sure that other than some fake trees or some artificial flower arrangements, you must leave some space for the buyers to walk around if you have that kind of display and sale. If not, then along with such plants, place some stools or long benches for people to sit on. Tired and aged buyers will bless you for this.

Advertising

An attractive hoarding or brand name is necessary. But you also need to advertise well for your store.  Make and share colourful and informative flyers. These are good means to spread information about the products in your store and share special discounts and offers that you may be having. Hanging mobile flyers inside your store is also a strong advertising strategy. These look attractive when they fly with the breeze or air movement inside.

Product Stock

Make sure that you have plenty to offer to the customer. Different designs, sizes, colours, and brands are what the consumer looks for today. Keep trendy and traditional products to attract the younger and older generation alike. Have side products like accessories along with the main items. Place round hanger stands for more display. Many clients like to touch and feel for themselves before taking a decision. Keep items neatly on shelves. Your staff must know what’s where at all times.

Décor

A pretty looking décor with items placed neatly is attractive to the eyes and connects you better with the buyers. Place artificial flower arrangements on tables, cabinets, cash counter, etc. for the colour. Use fake flowers and silk plants to bring the richness to the room. Fake plants and fake trees can be placed in ceramic or earthen pots to bring in nature to the room.

Such fake plants and fake flowers look as good as real and have a bright colour to them always. They are environment-friendly and everlasting. There is no worry of watering or weeding these plants. Since cleaning them requires no water, they save on rich and precious resource. It also saves on manpower as they are low on maintenance. No trash collects around these fake plants and fake flowers as these don’t wither, wilt, or shed.

Play some soft music if you want people to spend more time in your store. Old classics are evergreen favourites. Fast music can be played if your store caters to sports, music, and fitness items. Choose some contemporary music for this. But control the volume as too loud music distracts and annoys the clients. Very loud music can often produce a din making people walk out of the store.

Similarly, keep the place well lit and well ventilated. Hot and humid stores are a put off for many. Similarly, ill-lit or dingy stores don’t attract clients.

Shoppers are attracted to smart and beautiful retail outlets. Keep your store pretty and provide excellent service and you will surely have more customers walking in for big business.