By Emma Sturgis
A lot goes into running a shop of any size. If you’re in charge of a small shop, though, you need to do anything and everything you can to take full advantage of available space. Creating a rock-solid small shop layout doesn’t have to be difficult. If you want to do so, then you need to be 100 percent resourceful. You need to turn to others for a bit of advice as well.
Think about practical factors
If you want your small shop layout to be safe and efficient, then you need to first take practical matters into consideration. Think about everything from power outlet locations to wires and window placement. You should assess practicalities such as indoor air quality, HVAC efficiency, and basic navigation. Considering practical components can eliminate all kinds of unpleasant shockers for you later. After you get the technicalities out of the way, you can focus on the aesthetics.
Pretend you’re a shopper
Put yourself in the mind of a shopper. Walk around your store like you’re looking for something. Ask yourself about locations and maximum convenience. If you were going through with a normal shopping experience, then you need to think about where you would want everything to be situated. Ask yourself what may work. Ask yourself what may be a huge hassle. It can also help to consider which product categories you want to group together for optimal ease. You might even want to think about your favorite stores you frequently visit and consider their layout for inspiration.
Work with an interior designer
It’s okay if you don’t feel like playing “guessing games” with regard to the layout of your small shop. If you want to establish a shop arrangement that makes sense and that can resonate well with your customer base, it may be smart to team up with a qualified, trained, and capable interior designer. Interior designers can help you with convenience and a user-friendly approach. They can also assist you with pertinent shop aesthetic matters. Make sure you find a designer who specializes in shop design for the best results.
Get feedback from the people who are in your target audience
You don’t have to be a psychic about your small shop setup. If you want to steer clear of layout dilemmas, then it may be a terrific idea to request feedback and insight from your customers. Try to reach out to people who are already your customers. Try to reach out to people who you hope may become your customers in the future as well. When just barely starting out, friends and family can be a valuable resource for honest and helpful feedback as well.
A fantastic layout can truly make any kind of small shop successful and appealing. If you want your shop to be memorable and dependable, then you have to take its arrangement seriously. Don’t be afraid to get guidance from others and follow the above four tips.
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Emma Sturgis is a freelance writer based out of Boston, MA. She writes most often on healthand education. When not writing, she enjoys reading and watching film noir. Say hi onTwitter @EmmaSturgis2.
