The High Street has undergone some of the biggest ever challenges over the past two years. COVID-19, supply chain issues, and – in some areas – retail staff shortages have meant that many people’s retail activities have been confined to computer a screen.
However, there is still no substitute for being able to touch and feel an item in person before you buy it, with some surveys suggesting that two out of three consumers had shopped in-store as well as online in the past few months. And at least one in two wanted to be able to see or try things on before they bought them.
Here Thames Contracts, who carry out high-end shop interior fitouts in London and Hertfordshire, look at some of the key retail design trends that are likely to prove popular in the 12 months ahead.
Small is Beautiful
The growth in digital shopping means stores don’t need as much space as they once did – or if they do, it can be repurposed. There are also fewer shoppers coming in (and restrictions mean you may not be allowed to have many inside anyway). This means many stores are physically downsizing to a smaller location or may be re-evaluating their floor space. For example, placing more items in back rooms/storage, ready to bring out if and when clients need (such as clothes in different sizes). Alternatively, there may be a greater area given over to things like click and collect points.
…and Less is More
In the past, the tendency was to get as many products out on the shop floor as possible; this is not the case any more. Now space means value – the more room and fewer items there are on the shop floor, the higher the perceived value of the merchandise.
Home Comforts
For many, working from home has been a fact of life for much of the past two years. Now, as a result, physical customers are expecting to be more comfortable when they go out shopping. This means more sofas and chairs to relax on. Some stores are even taking it to the next level by incorporating coffee chain franchises, restaurants and cafeterias into their shops. The idea being, if customers feel comfortable within the store, they are more likely to part with their cash.
Make Light Work for You
It is key to have as much natural light as possible. This is because it has been shown to be a ‘mood enhancer’ which increases sales. If you still need artificial light, 4000k LED bulbs will provide the most natural feeling light. LED lighting is also a greener choice which helps preserve the environment.
…and the Floors as Well
Many stores use flooring design to guide customers to products they want to promote. You also have to factor in the need to guide customers around the store for practical reasons such as coronavirus-safe routes, or helpful signs which show customers how to keep 2m apart. Whatever you are looking to achieve, most stores are still opting for hardwearing materials such as engineered hardwood as this will cope with the footfall.
Think Technology and Social Media
Nowadays, much of our life is lived through our mobile phones. Savvy shops can use this to their advantage. So consider using QR codes within the store – not just as a contactless way to shop and obey coronavirus rules, but to offer surveys, discounts and incentives to shoppers.
They are also a great way to make displays interesting and creative, so that they are something that people want to take a picture of and share on social media – an Instagram post featuring your store could have a lot more reach than many more conventional forms of advertising.
Shop Interior Fitouts in London from Thames Contracts
If you are interested in shop interior fitouts in London, give us a call on 020 8368 0045 or follow this link and complete our online contact form.
After contacting us, we will arrange a meeting with you at your existing (or new) premises to discuss your needs and budget. This will enable us to create an initial brief, followed by a more detailed one, in a 3D format.
After this, together we will agree on a budget and timescale for the work – we have an excellent reputation for sticking to both.
We also offer a range of other services, including office refurbishment and fitouts for clients in Hitchin, St Albans, and other parts of Hertfordshire and London.
