HOW TO RE-OPEN YOUR STORE WITH IMPACT
In the current climate, its more important that ever that retailers get innovative, creating a memorable experience for their customers. Online will never completely replace the instore experience - customers crave connection, and perhaps more than ever, that is being highlighted by the lockdowns imposed across the country.
An important aspect of owning a brick + mortar store is that it is appealing to customers – and upon entering your store that it is inviting, and a good experience.
Within the major shopping centres - store refurbishments are generally required every 5 years, with the centre providing a scope of what is required before agreeing to a lease renewal. When it comes to strip shops, refurbishments are up to the store owners themselves.
Its important to remember that, whilst a refurbishment is an investment – it is a part of your customers store experience, so you need to ensure your store looks great, is on trend and is a positive experience. In addition to that, your store is one of your greatest marketing opportunities – consider the foot traffic that walks past your store front.
When reviewing the priorities for refurbishing any commercial premises, we always look for ways to invest funds that it will have maximum impact. The most important way to approach your refurbishment is to only update elements of your fit-out that are most outdated.
With that in mind, we want to share some tips with you, and let you know that – your refurbishment can be done in a clever and effective way, by implementing some of our top tips, as follows.
1) Fresh Paint.
A fresh cost of paint is not only the most cost-effective way to refurbish – but it also has impact.
Consider your shopfront – are you currently getting maximum standout? Is there opportunity to repaint in a bold colour, or a fresh new colour? By simply refreshing your facade with a new colour, you will draw new attention to your store, and ultimately, new customers. It may seem like a simple solution – but don’t underestimate it, we use paint in clever ways on every fit-out!
Internal walls should be reviewed as well, whether it be a key feature wall or, general walls throughout - by refreshing your store with a new colour palette, it will instantly feel fresher, and more current. Not to mention - the additional attention it will capture, simply by making a considered change.
In addition to this, use colour to create brand-association. Think about key brands, and the colour recognition connected with the brand. For example, Officeworks – blue, JB Hi Fi – Yellow etc. There is a lot to be said for brand / colour recognition.
Utilising colour treatments, is our number one most cost-effective way to upgrade a store
2) Strong, punchy graphics.
The second top-tip is to invest in quality graphics. Key point – don’t DIY your graphics (unless you’re a qualified graphic designer!)…. Engage a talented graphic designer to produce a kit of parts for you, that can be used across all applications, including your store fit-out! Use these amazing graphics to create custom murals / wallpaper by engaging a professional signage company. You can create anything from a huge eye-catching mural, to VM decals for your windows, to graphics above display areas.
In addition to this, other ways you can use graphics in effective ways within your fit-out could include:
refreshing category signage / headers
re-enforcing specialty products via clever & fun text on the walls
introducing suspended banners in store, or in windows
In addition to utilising strong punchy graphics instore, you could also consider if a re-brand would be beneficial. A well-designed client logo is so important and makes all the difference to the store’s appearance.
Whilst there is some cost upfront to engage a graphic designer, applying graphics in store is a keyway to create a high-impact refresh. Noting that the cost of installing graphics, is very cost-effective solution for the impact it creates.
3) Refresh, Refurbish, or Replace your joinery
Stand back and review your store, look for items that look tired or dated, and focus on these for refurbishing or replacing.
Where joinery needs to be replaced, aim firstly to source off-the-shelf items, which will be a cheaper solution than custom-designing.
Where the joinery is in good condition – you can look to retreat/refurbish it. This could be with paint, or a laminate. You may need a cabinet maker / joiner / shopfitter to complete this work, but again, cost to refresh will always be less that replacing.
4) Replace Feature Lighting
When refurbishing a store, we commonly upgrade feature lighting – this is one item within the store that can date over time, but which is easy to switch over for new – not to mention, a cost-effective way to refresh. Aim to keep light fittings in the same location, so they can be switched over, with no extra plaster work required.
Another point to make – is take the time to ensure all you light globes are of the same colour tone, and functioning, surprisingly this is something that many retailers overlook, but it’s a quick and easy way to ensure your store looks its best.
5) Rearrange & Clean
When refurbishing stores within shopping centres, often a requirement of the centre is for shops to clean areas that are overlooked. It seems obvious, but it is important, and at no cost to do. Pay attention to things like air grills, which is often overlooked.
Remove clutter & unnecessary items. Many retailers tend to load up their sales counters with small items, some of which are not sale items - this tends to look messy. Remove clutter and clean up your counter (and any other offending spaces).
Take the time to freshen up your space by rearranging – relocate fixtures within the space to change the look and create a new layout.
Whilst it is a challenging time for all of us in the retail industry – take this time to get innovative and prepare as best as you can to get ahead, and be ready to open your store with impact. Even if you can’t be in your store right now, you can certainly take the time to prepare.