As a business owner, it’s important to understand how these factors can influence your customers so that you can create an environment that encourages them to spend more time (and money) in your store. If you’ve ever been to a well-designed store, you know that the environment can influence your behavior as a shopper. The layout, the lighting, the music, and even the smells can all play a role in how long you stay in the store, what you buy, and whether or not you come back. Keep reading to learn more about how environment influences your customers in a physical sales space.
Why Store Design Matters When it Comes to Making Sales
The design of the store can influence customers’ decisions and the way they shop. It can also affect their perception of the store and its products. Design affects how customers perceive a product and how likely they are to purchase it. Here are three elements that do that;
Layout and Traffic Flow
The layout of your store can have a big impact on customer behavior. For example, if goods are hard to reach or if the traffic flow is confusing, customers may feel frustrated and leave without making a purchase. On the other hand, if the layout is easy to navigate and goods are easy to find, shoppers will spend more time in the store and be more likely to make a purchase.
Lighting
Believe it or not, lighting can actually influence how much money shoppers spend. In general, brighter lights lead to faster shopping trips while softer, dimmer lights encourage shoppers to linger and browse. If you want customers to spend more time (and money) in your store, try using softer lighting throughout. Just be sure not to go too dim; too little light can make it difficult for shoppers to see what they’re looking for and ultimately lead them to leave without making a purchase.
Smells
Certain smells can also influence customer behavior. For example, the smell of baking bread or cookies may encourage shoppers to linger longer or come back another day. On the other hand, certain smells (like cleaning products) may actually dissuade people from spending time in your store. Pay attention to the smells in your sales space and adjust accordingly. Do you want the cleanest perfumes to reflect your clinic or fresh environment? Or do you want something musky to excite your customers. It’s all about creating the right atmosphere with scent.
Harnessing Your Environment for the Success of Your Business!
The environment of your physical sales space plays a bigger role than you might think in influencing customer behavior. From the layout of the space to the lighting and even the smells, each element can impact how long shoppers stay in your store, what they buy, and whether or not they come back. As a business owner, it’s important to be aware of these factors so that you can create an environment that encourages customers to spend more time—and money—in your store.
