It seems that having a commercial store is very rare nowadays. Most people appear to prefer the convenience of an online store rather than venture out to an offline storefront. However, many brick and mortar businesses are opening their doors every day to potential customers.
Although it has been a long debate whether shoppers prefer online retailers or brick and mortar stores, according to sites like The Balance Small Business, they both have their merits when it comes to the consumer.
While some shoppers would prefer to have the ability to shop 24/7, others like the ability to interact with items before they buy them. So you’ve decided to take this plunge and get your own brick-and-mortar store; what do you think about before you start?
Look around at locations that would be best for your store.
Some would say that location is critical for your commercial business. However, many things play an essential part in determining the best place to house your venture.
Whether it’s a retail outlet or a restaurant, you’ll want to find a place that gives you the best visibility and is in a location where customers can feel safe coming to your store regularly, as well as a whole other host of factors.
For now, a factor that you may want to look into is foot traffic. For most businesses, traffic leads to more customers. For example, if you’re a restaurant, foot traffic means more customers will appear to dine at your location. If you’re a retail store, it means more people are more likely to come in to pick up what they need.
Think about what would be the best design choices for your store.
The design of your store is a way to help customers navigate their surroundings. If you’re a retail store, it can help your customers buy more items while shopping. If you’re a restaurant, it can help to give customers the best dining experience. Where you decide to place aisles and tables could help to improve user experience.
You may also want to think about the longevity of your design. While it’s great to move things around once in a while, it’s most likely that you’re going to have the same layout for a long time. So you may want to ensure that your store can withstand this, whether it’s placing polished concrete flooring in high traffic areas or having a similar design even if you decide to change.
Have a look at quick and secure payment options.
This could be seen as part of the layout, especially with the growing popularity of self-checkouts and payment kiosks, but having a quick and secure way for customers to pay should be another option on your mind when opening a store. Self-checkout point of sales (POS) services means that customers don’t have to wait until you’re around to finish their transaction. As a result, it keeps business moving and encourages customers to return to your store.
Final Thoughts
It can be challenging to open your own store or move your business offline, but you might discover it worth the risk once you find the resources to do so.
