The layout of a store can have a huge impact on the way that people shop and the amount of products that they buy. It can be done in such a subtle way that people are unaware of it happening but when you consider it; it becomes an ingenious way to guide people around a store to encourage them to buy more goods.
The best example of this situation can be seen in a supermarket or local store. The main products that people will need to buy in these stores will be bread and milk. Think about where bread and milk are usually located in these stores. They are often at opposite ends of the store and they are definitely not near the entrance or tills. This means that people who just pop in for these products will have to walk by a great number of goods to get what they want and this increases the likelihood of buying other products. The layout of a store can have a huge influence on the buying behaviour of customers and this is the perfect example.
It is also important to create a positive impression on customers as quickly as possible and again, supermarkets show how this can be achieved. The vast majority of supermarkets and grocery stores will have fresh fruit and veg at the entrance to their shop. This means the first thing that a consumer sees is bright and colourful food that is good for you. This means they will have a positive impression of the store and will think highly of it. This may subtly influence a customer to spend more money in the shop, which means that the layout and positioning of goods is essential.
Although not all stores have the same layout or product range as a supermarket to contend with, sensible layout plans can lead to an increased amount of sales. Having clear aisles allowing customers to walk freely and view the products clearly is of benefit to a store. Have great products near the entrance to allow passing customers to be enticed in by certain products. If you have a product that most customers will pop in for, make sure it is at the back of the store or that the customer needs to pass many other products to reach it. If you have any impulse products, placing them near the till area can also lead to some great last minute sales. Understanding how your store layout affects business is crucial for all firms.