The retail experience begins right at the doorstep of the store. As is, footfall in retail stores have been dipping since the pandemic set foot in the world. Not to mention the boost of online shopping has only made it worse.

In such a situation, drawing out a crowd and actually retaining customers has a lot to do with the unique proposition that a store offers. While products are primary, design also plays a vital role in a customer’s experience within the store.

The interior design and architecture of a store is a huge part of its visual merchandising, a key representation of the brand. 

The entrance of a store is the primary factor in it’s footfall. It is basically the first thing that a customer sees as they walk in or by a store. The kind of font that you develop is influential to the footfall that you receive within the space.

It is essential to make the place stand out and give such an impression that actually makes the consumers want to step into the space. Developing a stunning storefront is vital for the business as well as the aesthetic of the space. 

Here's how you can ace it’s design: 

BE TRANSPARENT  

Having a glass exterior is key to developing the ideal storefront. This is because of the importance of the display factor. Having a transparent exterior is first and foremost essential to give people the opportunity to get a glance into what you have in the store so that they can make the decision to step in.

Further, the transparent glass exterior allows one to put forth appropriate set ups that represent the brand and attract customers. Meanwhile, it look extremely neat and sophisticated with a subtle charm.

 You could opt to have a completely transparent nterance or mix it up with stained or opaque glass to create unique patterns. You could also switch it up with gold, bronze or silver toned accents to give it a luxe touch. 

PLAN FOR BRAND

The brand that you build must also be reflected in your design, especially at the enterance in order to attract customers. To go by doing so, try to utilise decor and color schemes that resonate with your brand to create a visual connection fo rcustomers.

Further, have a display set up directly in line with front door and/or adjacent to it representing exactly what your brand is all about.

Doing so would ensure a more comprehensive glance fo the consumers. Try to include brand related paraphernalia within the entrance layout to up the visual merchandising.

This could mean adding a painted mural of the brand logo, stickers drawing from brand objects or even decor pieces focused or brand related themes. You could also add the brand's motto or social media handles to the front design for engagement. 

CAPTIVATE WITH DISPLAY

The displays are a key element of the storefront. It shows the products and offerings of a brand needed to bring in customers. It is important to create a captivating setup. Designing the right display can be tricky but needs ot be done with an eye catching approach in mind.

To begin with, there needs to a pick between simplicity or vibrant front depending on what suits your brand best. If a more sombre approach resonates better, then utilising classic wooden, or plexi glass shelving and platforms in the display can give it the minimalistic chic look.

Alternatively, for a more vibrant and hip look, going for colroful elements and quirky features and designs impirnted into the display can do the trick. Adding unconventional display pieces too can help draw attention due to the uniqueness. 

SIGNAGE FRONT AND CENTER

The signage is the most important element of the store front. It identifies your brand and defines it to the consumers in the most subtle way possible. Having a precise and well designed signage is thus important.

The signage can be well incorporated with the architecture through utilsing materials that resonate with the interiors and the brand equally. There are a lot of different materials that cna be worked with to create the right signage.

For instance, to resonate with nature you could go with a carved wood signage, or go a different way with stone slab engraved signage for a sophisticated look. If you wish to make it look ocmpletely different and rather fun, you could go for an all light and plexiglass signage to illuminate the storefront while giving it a memorable look. 

LIGHTING FOR EFFECT 

Lights are great way to draw attention to your storefront. It not only helps create an ambience but is an equally valuable decor asset that can be well utilised up front.

In the storefront, you could choose to go for charming string lights, utilise light decor pieces, add some edgy geometric hanging lights or nail the trend with bright neon lights.

Strategise to layer the lighting effectively in a way taht works best for the kind of look you are going for. For simpler themes, soft white, or warm yellow tones may work best while for a more fun theme utilsing colors such as pink or blue may prove to be good.

You could also utilise focal lights on the store front to shed light on the display or certain parts of the store visible through the front. Ensure that the lighting is not too harsh as it can be clashing with your interiors, plan to avoid a messy look. 

COORDINATE WITH THE INTERIORS 

One of the most important and seldom thought factor is to have a storefront that is proportional to the interior design and architecture of the store. Since the idea of having a transparent/open storefront approach is to have such a layout which promotes seeking a glimpse encouraging the customers to step in.

In such an approach, the architecture needs to be proportional or in line with the storefront. This would essentially mean, planning the shelving, displays, set ups, racks, desk, anything in your office according to the store front’s view and dimensions so as to give a clear uninterrupted look taht also looks extremely homogenous. Ensure that everything is well symmetrical to give a soothing design to your storefront. 

Overall, designing a store front is a rather daunting task. It is the first thing that a customer sees and thsu needs to be powerful enough to actually draw attention. Try out the above tricks to ace the storefront design to boost your business and footfall.