The perfect store entrance is one of the crucial elements of the overall layout and format of your retail store. It’s the first impression prospective shoppers will have of your store, so you want to get it right. To ensure you have a store entrance that dazzles, be sure to keep the following tips and tricks in mind.
Make sure it is inviting. You should be cognizant to place the most inviting items near the entrance of your store. You can do this by developing a sensory experience. In many grocery stores, for example, items most commonly placed at the entrance of the store include baked goods and fresh flowers. Both look and smell welcoming and inviting. Produce is also another common option, as the bright colors and fresh atmosphere help to entice customers.
Make sure you have a decompression zone. While you want your customers to walk into something inviting as they enter your store, you also want to make sure that you aren’t placing any merchandise too close to the actual entrance. Customers need some space to acclimate as they walk in, known as the “decompression zone.†The amount of space needed for this will depend on the overall size of your store. For some of the bigger retail stores out there, it may be as large as 10 or 20 feet.
Make sure you have a compelling display. It also helps to have a visually compelling display in your store right as customers walk in. This will grab their attention and pull them further into the store.
In conclusion, it is critical to ensure you get your store entrance right. Doing so will help you pull more customers in from off the street and entice people to stay inside longer, driving up purchases.
