Understanding the Importance of Speed in Store Design
Most of us have been here - walking into a shop, looking for something to wear for that last minute dinner or that party we forgot about. We’re a bit flustered, not in the mood for chatter and would like to be left alone so we can walk out and try another store if we don’t find what we’re looking for. Brings To Mind here is where the speed element of store design comes in. A lot of the time, customers don’t want to spend more than 15-20 minutes in a store.
They want to make a decision, complete their purchase and head home. And while staff can play a huge role here, there are many elements of store design that can help customers have a seamless experience and get through quickly. For one, making the space functional rather than cluttered with decorative pieces is important. Second, organisation plays a huge role - racks need to be categorised by size or type of product so it’s easier for customers to filter through things they don’t want.
Sort of. Another way stores can ensure customer speed is self-checkouts if they have the budget for this. This allows people who like to keep their heads down get on with their lives and people who enjoy friendly chatter can do so at the billing counter.
I think even some form of signage where you let customers know how much time they’ll need at your store can help. If you’re aiming at quick in-and-out experiences, letting people know that this will take under 10 minutes is helpful especially if they’re shopping on their lunch break or after work and want to get home soon.
The Role of Aesthetics in Customer Experience
You're not the only one who’s picked up a jacket because it matches your style and then kept it because of the feeling you get from shopping there. There’s nothing wrong with loving it when your favourite boutique adds an espresso bar to their brick-and-mortar stores. I would argue that the choice of a sleek terrazzo countertop says a lot about who they think shops with them.
What we see in stores is often what we remember about them, even more than what we bought at times. What people want is changing, and retailers are meeting their needs by creating new ways to enjoy shopping beyond picking up your items at the counter. Retailers are introducing customers to new experiences by creating warm and welcoming spaces and going beyond the tried-and-true ‘trendy’ aesthetic in favour of communicating values like accessibility and eco-friendliness.
I’ve noticed how people want to spend more time at stores that create comfort through clever design choices or inspire awe with opulent extravagance. People seem to walk into these shops looking for something as simple as a classic white T-shirt but walk out not only with that wardrobe staple but also a great story about the time they got their nails done on impulse at the store’s spa while waiting for their purchase. The way things look can be all it takes for people to choose between buying from one place or another.
The way I see it, the functional purpose of keeping people in store is best served by making them feel at home as soon as they walk in so that they’re not in a rush to get out and, instead, want to come back before leaving.
Tips for Streamlining Store Layout for Efficiency
You know that feeling when you walk into a new store, instantly see where the bargains are hiding, and can walk right up to the checkout without a hitch. The way I see it, shop layouts like this are a rarity but the way a store is mapped out can be the difference between being a one time purchase and a repeat customer. Sometimes even the cleanest looking shop is just all over the place, which kind of negates everything else.
When it comes to running your own space, there’s no standard ‘right’ way to build it up. There are so many kinds of layouts to explore - from grid plans to diagonal pathways. The way I see it, the trick is figuring out what works best for your brand without killing the space for your customers. You could go all-in on a high-end look but at the end of the day, people will appreciate honesty and accessibility more than anything else.
I remember walking into this new store in town that was meant to focus on affordability. But walking around felt like playing a game of Tetris - with me as the block. It’s important to remember who you’re designing your space for.
Look at what your customers want from your shop and make that happen - whether it means creating separate spaces for sales or quick access racks near checkout counters. I think planning in advance is key when it comes to mapping out stores. You want to get it all right on paper before bringing out bricks and mortar so take your time.
Get creative with it and see what works best - but don’t forget that first impressions mean everything so keep it looking good even if you’re focusing on speed.
Incorporating Style Without Sacrificing Functionality
Makes Me Think Of you can spot them a mile off - a shop that’s all about the style and can’t be bothered with the functionality. They’re the ones where clothes are typically displayed in a sort of mess, but it’s chic, darling, and you’re standing there thinking “but I can’t see anything. ” Or, it could be the ones that have so much lighting to highlight that wall art behind the register that your eyes hurt after five minutes in the store.
Now, don’t get me wrong - a beautiful and thoughtfully designed store will always draw people in but customers can tell when you’ve paid more attention to form than function. It comes down to finding the balance between aesthetics and functionality. The way I see it, aesthetics is all about how you want your brand to come across - are you timeless, vintage or bold, new-age and fun. Your store should always match your brand aesthetic because it makes customers feel confident about their choices.
You don’t want them feeling like they’ve walked into someone else’s closet when they enter your store. But then, it also boils down to design being functional. Functionality in stores refers to everything from its layout to its display racks and even its lighting.
If a store is hard to navigate or if things are just stuffed into a shelf for no good reason, chances are shoppers are going to walk out without giving your collection a chance. The way I see it, an uncluttered space is visually pleasing and psychologically calming so as much as you want those metallic racks from 2005 back in vogue because they look cool, stick to what works best for most people. Functionality includes planning how products will be displayed based on different shopping seasons. For example, designing spaces for customers to try on clothes during sale seasons or festivals ensures there isn’t long wait time at trial rooms and shopping becomes an easy process for everyone involved.
And then when you do get those metallic racks of your dreams, make sure they blend into the background so your clothes take centre stage instead of having decor pieces stand out awkwardly against them.
Case Studies: Successful Brands Balancing Speed and Style
I think we’ve all had those moments where we’re rushing through a department store, narrowly dodging strollers and salespeople with cologne samples, only to find ourselves staring wide-eyed at a particularly beautiful display that – for a hot second – makes us forget everything else. Because, let’s face it: people like to say that time is money but is it really, if you’re not stopping to take in the experience of the retail world. In an industry where brands are constantly competing with each other over who can set up shop (and convert sales) faster than the other, it seems like some are finally choosing to play the longer game – sacrificing speed for style. Take Chanel’s new beauty space in Australia’s David Jones Sydney flagship for example: after a $1.
5 million overhaul, some of its new features like augmented reality elements and vanity stations that come with professional lighting are slightly a unique blend of old-world sophistication and contemporary glamour. Designed by Peter Marino who’s also behind Chanel flagship stores across major cities in Dubai, Singapore, Paris, London and Milan, this standalone beauty boutique manages to integrate style into functionality seamlessly – something not every brand manages to pull off. And while we’re on the topic of international stores: Nike SoHo in New York is another prime example of a retail store that still has people talking years after its initial launch. Since its doors opened in 2016 on 529 Broadway, Nike SoHo has managed to merge digital innovation with high-quality service and brought together a highly curated space that’s now become one of NYC’s finest shopping experiences.
From multiple floors dedicated to various different sports to an entire floor designed specifically for young athletes; Nike SoHo doesn’t just look good but feels good too – something that seems like hard work in the age of same-day shipping and overnight deliveries. Looking around at what some of these brands have achieved with their brick-and-mortar spaces, it seems clear that most customers are quite happy to take things slow and steady. As long as they have quality products in their carts at the end of their trips (and maybe even a story or two about how they were able to find them).
Future Trends in Store Design: Finding the Right Balance
There’s something about the lure of a brand new store, isn’t there. Shiny, untouched, the promise of all your best laid plans coming to life. You can sense the possibilities when you walk in for the first time. Yet, in those moments – standing there with your arms crossed, eyeing off the corners of a blank room – it can be difficult not to feel overwhelmed.
What if you get it wrong. What if the future is not what it seems.
What if the trends are way ahead of their time. When it comes to balancing style and speed in store design, you do need to be aware of where the market is going. But that doesn’t mean you need to always be at the front. A good design can stand the test of time but a great design sits comfortably within its surroundings while still looking forward.
And so, as we look into the crystal ball of interior style trends, it’s clear that flexibility will play a major role in shaping stores. Designs must embrace adaptability if they want to remain relevant for years to come. This could mean moveable walls and displays or even simply adopting a timeless colour palette and an open plan layout so that you have space and freedom to move things around.
The most important consideration here is accessibility because spaces should always feel welcoming. They should also be unique though – something that sets them apart from every other space out there. Appealing to different senses through digital displays, music and lighting can help keep consumers coming back for more. It also keeps them on their toes and feels like brands are pushing boundaries which builds loyalty and respect.
At some point or another, even as designers, we have looked at a space we designed years ago and sighed “It’s time for an update. ” While keeping things fresh is important, remaining too on top of trends can become taxing both financially and creatively. Finding a balance means leaning into what makes sense for your brand while still giving yourself room to adapt as times change.