In retail, it is not just about the products you sell or the prices at which you sell them. It is also about gaining people's interest in the first place and then getting them through the door. There are several things which contribute to this. Advertising and promotions may draw people's attention, but it is all of little value if people simply don't want to cross the threshold into your shop or don't want to spend any time there having entered.
Also Read: Traditionally Made Shoes
If you're an online retailer, your shop is your website. It needs to be well-designed, which means it looking good and being easy to use. As for your actual business premises, the same things apply, but it also needs to offer the right environment.
The right environment will be different depending on what you are selling and to whom. Clearly, a comic book shop will differ from a shop selling musical instruments or a butcher's. You need to know your audience and cater to them while simultaneously ensuring you consider all the practicalities of your trade.
Some things hold true no matter what you sell, however. An inviting environment for customers must always be physically comfortable. Some shops may see products stacked higher, but you always need space in which to move around. The shop floor also needs to be properly lit, showcasing your products and you also need it to be a comfortable temperature.
Don't underestimate the impact made by having a shop that is too hot or too cold. People might still venture inside, but they may not wish to remain there as long, which can mean missing out on sales. The more people linger, the more they see and the more likely they are to buy.
It is generally best to keep the front door open, inviting people inside, but how can this be practical when the outdoor temperature climbs or plummets. Surely it will cost you a fortune to cool or heat your shop with the door wide open. Actually, this need not be the case. Air curtains are devices which create a flow of air over the open doorway which can keep heat in or out, depending on what is necessary.
They basically provide an invisible layer of insulation, ensuring you can maintain a welcoming entrance to your shop and a comfortable interior temperature without being crippled by sky-high energy bills. Never underestimate the importance of providing the right environment for shoppers.
Meg Lane
Also Read: Traditionally Made Shoes
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If you're an online retailer, your shop is your website. It needs to be well-designed, which means it looking good and being easy to use. As for your actual business premises, the same things apply, but it also needs to offer the right environment.
The right environment will be different depending on what you are selling and to whom. Clearly, a comic book shop will differ from a shop selling musical instruments or a butcher's. You need to know your audience and cater to them while simultaneously ensuring you consider all the practicalities of your trade.
Some things hold true no matter what you sell, however. An inviting environment for customers must always be physically comfortable. Some shops may see products stacked higher, but you always need space in which to move around. The shop floor also needs to be properly lit, showcasing your products and you also need it to be a comfortable temperature.
Don't underestimate the impact made by having a shop that is too hot or too cold. People might still venture inside, but they may not wish to remain there as long, which can mean missing out on sales. The more people linger, the more they see and the more likely they are to buy.
It is generally best to keep the front door open, inviting people inside, but how can this be practical when the outdoor temperature climbs or plummets. Surely it will cost you a fortune to cool or heat your shop with the door wide open. Actually, this need not be the case. Air curtains are devices which create a flow of air over the open doorway which can keep heat in or out, depending on what is necessary.
They basically provide an invisible layer of insulation, ensuring you can maintain a welcoming entrance to your shop and a comfortable interior temperature without being crippled by sky-high energy bills. Never underestimate the importance of providing the right environment for shoppers.
Meg Lane
About the Author:
Meg Lane is a marketer advising small businesses and has found that the products on offer at thermoscreens.com can help create a better shopping environment.
Meg Lane is a marketer advising small businesses and has found that the products on offer at thermoscreens.com can help create a better shopping environment.
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