Five tips on the fifth of each month: What five things can you do in one month to make a difference on your selling floor?
- Biophilia – Yep, going strong and getting stronger. Bringing the outdoors in, will continue to be seen across all types of interior environments. And it makes perfect sense since we are part of nature and nature keeps us healthy! How are you bringing natural materials, daylight, plantlife, images of nature, and fresh air into your selling space?
- 1a) Sustainability – a subset to Biophilia, is understanding where your products, and interior finishes/furnishings come from, how they are manufactured, and disposed of at the end of their useful life. These questions are being asked more than ever, particularly by the younger generations. Think about the elements in your store that are eco-friendly, then tell their story.
- Color palettes & earthy tones are in – creating mysterious, warm, safe spaces. Deep browns, mossy greens, muddy eggplants, and soft cinnamon/brick reds are some of the colors making up this rich and cozy palette. Bold is also in! Deep clear hues that grab attention, whether on an accent wall, the ceiling (yes, ceilings!), flooring, or in artwork, are infiltrating our selling spaces and making strong statements. Watch greens, blues, yellows, and raspberries appear in fun patterns and make a splash.
- Flexible spaces that can be reworked, re-imagined, and re-purposed on a regular basis allows store owners to change things up for different customer experiences. Fixtures on casters, area rugs, and platform displays, all work to quickly create new layouts and focal points that can surprise and delight customers.
- Hospitality inspired retail spaces continue to be important as the retail industry huddles closer to “entertainment” to give special experiences. This may be achieved by adding soft seating, a beverage bar, offering demonstrations or classes. Services and design elements that make a space feel more personable, unique and meaningful/authentic, will get more thumbs up!
- The importance of Technology / Omni-Channel Retailing has not diminished one bit. But it’s not about slapping up flat screens on walls, it’s about thoughtful integration of video content where it’s needed to achieve branded atmospheres that appeal to the targeted audience. It’s about tying the look and feel of your brand across all digital platforms to the inside and outside of your brick and mortar selling environment so it’s a seamless experience for your customers.
Always be mindful of all the decisions you make regarding the customer experience. One wrong one can be the one spoiled apple…
Feel free to email me at lfalk@retailworksinc.com for assistance in incorporating the latest trends into your store!
