Department Store and Boutique Layouts

A well laid out department store will entice and tempt customers to buy at every turn.  There are some clever ways to encourage customers to shop each section of even the biggest stores.  These techniques can be applied to small and large stores alike.  They make your customers comfortable, keep them interested, and encourage them to spend money in your store.

The first part of your plan should be to make room for the customer to get around.  If you have shopping carts, make sure that you have wide enough spaces between your clothing racks for carts to be pushed.  Floors should be smooth in areas where you want customers to move freely from one department to the next.  Carpet can be used to slow the customer down.  Place your most interesting displays and promotions in these areas so that customers are enticed to slow down and shop.

If you have a large store, make sure that you have the occasional area to sit down and rest.  If people get tired legs, their mood is affected.  By simply providing a bench or even just a chair outside of the fitting room, people can rest their legs for a moment and continue to shop.  If there is nowhere to sit, they are likely to leave with a negative attitude about your store.

Some stores have been very successful in gaining customer appreciation by supplying a place for children to play while their parents shop.  This can be especially effective in stores that sell children’s clothing, shoes or toys.  If parents are given some relief from making sure that their toddlers stay in line, they will be more relaxed, be given more time to think about whether or not to buy, and are more likely to make a purchase and return to your store in the future.

Make your clothing racks accessible from all sides.  If possible, display your inventory on mannequins or torso forms to draw customers away from the “fast track” and on to the carpet.  They will be more inclined to explore a garment rack that has the clothing displayed facing outward.  A circular clothing rack with no interesting display will not draw much attention.

Your goal is to let customers move around easily, rest when they need to, and see what you have to offer on those sections of clothing racks that may otherwise go unnoticed.  Customers will slow down and explore areas that are surrounded by impulse buys, interesting displays, or promotions.