It takes a tremendous amount of planning and research to make sure that you've nailed down your target audience and you've understood what the assignment is when it comes to opening a retail store. Opening your own store and stepping up from an online one to a physical one takes a lot of work and there is plenty that you need to get yourself started.
Once you have your business plan in place and you know what you're doing with your marketing, you still have a fight because you then need to find the right retail space and you need to be able to offer the best experience for your customers.
There are some basics that you need for merchandising, enticing your customers and making sure people get the most out of their time in your shop. From credit card machines to fitting rooms, your retail store is going to stand out when you put the work in. Let's take a look at a quick list of seven things that you need to get started with your retail store.
Your floor plan. You need a great floor plan to get started. When you are opening a retail store, you have to make sure that you have the right mix of shelving, racks and display cases so that your customers are able to see what you can sell. What you sell dictates what type of merchandising tool is best for you, and a clothing store may need more racks, but you may need more display pieces. If you have an open floor layout then you need to make sure that things are cohesively flowing the right way. Think about the way that you want your customers to take in your store and the route you want them to take when they get inside.
Point of purchase display pieces. Have you ever stood at a till waiting to pay for your groceries or for your clothing, only to be tempted by something right there? This is called a point of purchase display. The idea is to pull the attention of the customer and get them curious about a specific product or a line. Most point of purchase display pieces are designed to be sitting and waiting for customers to choose them. When they're queuing and ready to pay for their goods, it gives them time to stand still and look at other things in the store.
Window display items. How do you plan to get people into your store in the first place? Other than stunning marketing efforts with billboards and posters, you need to have a storefront that looks fantastic. Think about it, how many stores do you walk into that are dressed really well for Christmas and make you want to shop? Think about the types of window displays that you might create through the year. You might have seasonal displays at Christmas time or different holidays and find that your business is going to thrive as a result.
Good signage. You're going to need storefront signage that stands out, but you also want to consider the other types of signage that you need. Product pricing signs, floor stand signs, and acrylic sign holders that allow you to slide information cards into them are all going to be things that you need for your business. Good signage helps to point customers into the direction you want them to go, and they serve as a call to action for them, even if they don't realize it.
Robust point of sale system. We talked about cash machines, but a point of sale system is a key component of your retail business. We're moving increasingly towards a digital world, so if you're only going to offer cash payments, that's going to be a problem. You need systems that process transactions quickly and have the flexibility to add information about your customer to your contact lists. Think about what you want from your point of sale system and then shop for the right one.
Sneeze guards. Are you opening a retail store that sells food or sells precious items? Well, then make sure you've covered it in a display case. You want to outfit your store with the right barriers, shields, and sneeze guards to demonstrate that you have a commitment to customer safety, and you also don't want other people breathing or sneezing over things. Make sure you have guards that are easy to install and remove.
Furniture. When you're opening your first retail store, think about the furniture you might need. Are you going to have people sitting and waiting outside of changing rooms for their partners or their friends? Then you're going to need little mini sofas. Single use items will end up spending the majority of the year in the stockroom, so be smart about the furniture you choose.
