Presentation is everything in the retail industry. The way products are displayed and how easy they are for shoppers to find determines how well they’ll sell. Knowing the do’s and don’ts of facility maintenance and organization strategies will help your business thrive and build a loyal customer base.

Do:

Build your store from a floor plan.

Having a written plan for your retail store ensures you’ll get the design right. Work with a commercial general contractor to determine the best ways to use the available space and create an enticing shopping experience. Their input will help you create space for each section and design a layout that promotes eye-catching displays in all departments.

Leave plenty of room around fixtures.

A successful retail operation uses a mix of display features, including shelves, racks, and bins. It may be tempting to pack in as much merchandise as you can, but your facility maintenance strategy needs to accommodate customers as well. Leave at least a yard between fixtures so customers can browse comfortably. A store that feels crowded leads to an unpleasant shopping experience, but a layout that lets people explore at their own pace encourages them to stick around until they find something they want.

Don’t:

Overload an entrance with merchandise.

It’s easy to assume that the sooner your customers see merchandise, the better. However, they may be more focused on their shopping list and getting acquainted with the store. Good facility maintenance in a retail setting means keeping your doorway and vestibule clear. Make necessities, such as shopping carts, baskets, or circulars, in this area, and leave plenty of space between these items and the first merchandise display.

Ignore customer traffic patterns.

You may have ideas for the store’s layout, but don’t forget about how your customers typically travel. People often turn to the right when entering a building, so keep that in mind when designing your displays. How do they move through the store? Where are they most likely to stop for a break? The answers to these questions will help you put merchandise in places that increase the likelihood of a sale.

If it’s time to bring your retail vision to life, trust BHI General Contracting to get the job done. These skilled commercial contractors serve Cincinnati, OH, and nearby Indiana and Kentucky, providing quality project planning, ground-up construction, and facility maintenance. They focus on your satisfaction throughout the process, keeping the project in line with your schedule and budget. Call (513) 330-5686 to arrange a consultation, and visit them online to learn more about past projects.