How Retail Fit Outs Can Help Your Store Increase Sales
The design and fit-out of your retail unit plays a crucial role in the success of your business and goes far beyond just décor and product selection. It’s about creating a seamless and memorable in-store experience that attracts customers, keeps them coming back, drives sales and energises your team.
If you’re looking to create a retail space that stands out from the competition and increases sales, this blog is for you.
What is a Retail Fit-Out?
Quite simply, a retail fit-out is the process of preparing your store for business. Whether you’re moving into a new unit, rebranding, or needing a refresh to keep up the competition, it’s about transforming your space into a buzzing retail environment where customers feel engaged and inspired to purchase.
Key Features of a Retail Fit-Out
A retail fit-out involves a wide range of works, from the construction of internal walls and installation of ceilings, flooring and HVAC, through to decor and those all-important finishing touches. As a brief overview, the process will typically include:
- Space Planning: Developing an efficient layout which maximises use of available space and ensures easy navigation, delivering a seamless shopping experience for your customers.
- Interior Design: Creating an stunning design that intelligently combines your functional and operational needs with style and your brand’s identity, maximising efficiency and sales, and resonating with customers.
- Fixtures and Fittings: Installing shelving, counters, display units, and other fixtures that showcase your products, as well as HVAC, lighting, durable flooring and ceiling finishes. All of these will help add unique character to your space but are also crucial in creating a comfortable shopping environment that will stand the test of time.
- Technology Integration and Innovation: Adding features like interactive screens, digital displays and smart checkout systems can improve the shopping experience and streamline operations.
Top Design Tips to Increase Sales
Footfall on UK high streets fell by 20% between 2019 and 2022, and consumer confidence remains subdued in 2024 due to economic pressures. In response to this, we have seen modern retail design shift towards a focus on creating immersive, experience-driven stores that engage customers and encourage visits, by offering people convenience as well as a meaningful experience while they browse. Here’s some tips for how you can achieve this:
Streamline Layout and Aid Navigation
Your store layout should guide customers intuitively through the space from the moment they arrive to point of purchase. You should think about their entire journey and how you can help influence their purchasing decisions along the way by:
- Using visual cues like flooring, walkways and lighting to direct flow
- Including clear signage so customers can find what they are looking for quickly and easily
- Ensuring products are easily accessible for everyone
- Creating ‘zones’ for different product categories to make shopping easier
- Offering an enhanced experience compared to online shopping – think luxurious areas to take a break, interactive fitting rooms and exclusive in-store deals. River Island in Manchester’s Arndale is a great example of a brand that’s done just this
- Place high-demand items at the back of the store to encourage browsing
- Make sure your point of sale area is both spacious and functional. You could consider a separate customer service desk to ease footfall and allow for customer privacy
Optimise Space
Whether your store is a spacious high street outlet or compact luxury boutique, a smart layout can make all the difference and ensure that every square foot of your space is utilised efficiently, maximising the display of products and improving the journey for both customers and your team:
- Opt for modular displays that can easily adapt to seasonal changes, new product launches and evolving consumer preferences
- Avoid clutter by ensuring walkways are clear and displays are accessible
- Utilise vertical space with shelving or hanging displays
- Incorporate digital signage to increase the flexibility of your design, allowing you to move products around and quickly update the signage accordingly
Embrace Technology
Technology in retail store design is becoming more prevalent thanks to its capability to transform the shopping experience and improve efficiency. Some features to consider include:
- Digital signage to aid navigation
- Interactive screens where customers can conveniently find product information and check stock levels
- Self-service check-outs to speed up the purchasing process
- Adding QR codes to displays for online ordering or access exclusive in-store discounts
- Using smart tech tools to track foot traffic and refine layouts
Some forward thinking retailers are also embracing innovations like augmented reality (AR) and AI-driven tools to create immersive and engaging environments, and help bridge the gap between online and in-store shopping.
Embody Your Brand
Let people know what your all about by creating a store that embodies your brand, values and personality. By being clear about what you stand for, and what people can expect from shopping in your store, you can build brand recognition and customer loyalty. Do you want to be known for being young and vibrant? Luxury and exclusive? Sustainable and ethical? You can help communicate everything you want to be known for by:
- Using colours that complement your branding
- Selecting furniture and finishes that align with your brand and appeal to your target customers – for example, if you want to be known for being a sustainable, planet-first brand, using recycled or refurbished materials and furniture, energy efficient LED lighting and plenty of greenery and planting could help convey this
- Ensure every touchpoint, from signage to packaging, is cohesive
- Add personal touches and personality like branded scent diffusers or music
Lighting and Ambiance
Lighting can dramatically affect mood and influence buying behaviour: By carefully designing the lighting, you can subtly influence emotions, encourage purchases, and build stronger connections with your customers. For example:
- Warm, soft lighting creates a cosy, inviting atmosphere, encouraging customers to linger. You will often find this in boutique or high-end stores to enhance the feeling of exclusivity and comfort.
- Bright, even lighting increases visibility and makes the space feel open and accessible, and is commonly used in large stores or supermarkets to promote a sense of trust and transparency.
- Spotlighting can be used to highlight specific products, drawing customers’ attention to featured or high-margin items.
- LED lights with adjustable colours can make products appear more vibrant and appealing. For example, warm lighting in food sections can make produce look fresher. Neutral lighting will ensure products are seen in their true colours, which is particularly important if you’re selling clothing or home décor, where accurate representation is crucial.
Beyond Sales: Additional Benefits of a High-Quality Retail Fit-Out
A well-designed retail fit-out goes beyond just improving sales, it has the capability to transform your business in other ways too…
A retail space where your employees find it easy to be efficient and also love spending time can boost workplace satisfaction, ultimately inspiring them to sell more, be more productive and provide better service to your customers. A stylish, comfortable and inspiring environment is also a magnet for top talent. Employees will take pride in working at a store that’s well-designed, supports their wellbeing and is aligned with their values, making it easier to attract and retain the best team.
Finally, if you’re looking to improve your sustainability credentials, a new fit-out can help with this too through the careful selection of products and energy efficient technology, and the adoption of responsible fit-out processes. Not only can this save on long-term operational costs, but it also appeals to environmentally-conscious consumers. You can read more about sustainable design in our recent blog.
How Consensus Workspace Can Help
At Consensus Workspace, we specialise in retail design and fit-outs that transform ordinary shops into extraordinary shopping experiences. We offer end-to-end retail interior fit-out services, handling everything from initial design concepts to construction and aftercare, so you can focus on running your business while we bring your vision to life.
Whether you’re revamping an existing location or launching a new store, we’re here to help you increase footfall, improve the customer journey, and maximise sales potential.
Ready to create your perfect store? Get in touch today to discuss your project and discover how we can help bring your vision to life.