subject: The Store of the Future is an Ingenious Retrofit [print this page] The Store of the Future is an Ingenious Retrofit
When you ask an architect to envision the Store of the Future, their mind races with the opportunities of the clean sheet of paper, unlimited budgets and unlimited resources. The reality of the store of the future is altogether different.
The Great Recession has left us with smaller budgets, dwindling resources and consumers who shop less. And according to the 2007 Economic Census, there were 1,122,703 retail establishments in the United States and a total of 14.2 billion square feet of retail spaces. With such an abundance of existing shopping space, the question to solve is: How will the existing retail environment of today be transformed into the Store of the Future, enticing the shopper and energizing the store personnel to provide a greater return on investment for the retailer?
Building Information Modeling (BIM) offers an exciting platform for renovating retail space, when it is appropriately used by design, construction and executive teams. Building models are constructed from digital representations of parts and components used in construction, complete with quantities and physical properties of the materials used.
These information-rich models allow simulation of things like heating or cooling loads, or physical weight loads. They allow an owner to tap into a robust database of information for use in identifying maintenance needs or merchandising opportunities over the life cycle of a building. In the future, BIM will drive a shift in construction towards premanufacturing or panelization of building components, reducing construction time and waste to provide tighter and more accurate bids.
In the same spirit of optimization, the Store of the Future will use substantially less energy. Just as existing structures can find success by combining efficient lighting strategies with intuitive HVAC systems and managed plug loads, the Store of the Futureeven one renovated from an existing storewill need to optimize its energy consumption while incorporating the infrastructure needs of the increasingly digital shopper and retailer.
Another driver of retrofit success will be the use of impactful displays and adaptable merchandising strategies. Think modular. Like Tinker Toys on steroids, modular displays can be easily broken down and reconfigured with simple instructions, allowing for cost-effective, flexible merchandising options. Graphic inserts for static displays or double-sided snap-on-panels provide different design and finish opportunities without requiring continuous investment in new fixtures or POP materials.
In the end, the Store of the Future as an ingenious retrofit will not only entice the shopper and energize the store personnel, but provide a greater return on investment for the retailer.
