Retailers are welcoming their customers back in droves. But for many, they will not be returning to the same stores they visited pre-pandemic. Brick and mortar stores are undergoing remodels and upgrades to not only adapt to shoppers’ new habits, but also combat aging conditions and outdated styles.
Now is an optimal time for retailers to set themselves apart from their competitors and create innovative in-store experiences that will keep customers returning for years to come. Continue reading for our outlook of 2022’s construction trends in the retail industry.
Trend 1: Open In-Store Floor Plans
A strategic floor plan allows retailers to customize their displays and promotions to attract shoppers and encourage impulse purchases. And many shoppers are showing preference for an open store environment with unobstructed sight lines and plenty of personal space.
In a store overflowing with tall merchandise racks, customers may experience the “butt-brush effect” coined by consumer behavior expert, Paco Underhill. To avoid accidentally bumping into another shopper, some people will stay away from an occupied rack or aisle — thus avoiding a possible purchase.
One way to reduce shoppers’ feelings of being in a confined space is to utilize shorter racks in the middle of the store. Although it may limit the amount of merchandise displayed, it can greatly improve the store’s perceived positivity. In addition to more elbow room, opening the store allows natural light to shine throughout, creating an eco-friendly, calming and inviting environment which could even result in a 40% increase in sales.
Retailers are also installing virtual queues to eliminate the appearance of physical lines and the frustration caused by waiting in long lines at registers and service centers. Virtual queues utilize an appointment system or other advanced technology to collect customer data and provide an estimated wait time. Shoppers can continue browsing instead of waiting in line.
Trend 2: Bifurcation of Luxury Brands and Value Shopping
Retail stores that are not offering luxury products nor value prices may feel stuck in the purgatory of retail thanks to the great retail bifurcation.
The great retail bifurcation (noun): the growing division of consumers into two groups: luxury shoppers and value shoppers.
Retailers who want to reposition themselves as a luxury brand can do so by:
- Replacing fluorescent lights with custom fixtures and accent lighting.
- Upgrading flooring to hardwood or luxury vinyl plank (LVP/LVT) in a natural wood or tile finish.
- Avoiding clutter and restricting how much merchandise is displayed — less is more!
- Using contemporary display shelves featuring mixed materials and interesting details or shapes.
If your goal is to appeal to value shoppers, invest in your space by:
- Creating eye-catching displays of bundled products for shoppers’ convenience and at a valued price.
- Organizing the store by product type with straight lines and a clear pathway for quick shopping.
- Dedicating space for products on sale either near the back or throughout the store to move customers through the experience.
- Installing clear signage to inform shoppers about promotions and pricing.
Trend 3: Omnichannel Shopping
Despite the growth of e-commerce, consumers are not yet willing to give up the hands-on experience of in-store shopping. A recent study predicts that 72% of retail sales will still occur in brick-and-mortar stores in 2024. Today, shoppers are expecting a hybrid store experience that combines the convenience of online shopping with the reliability and personalized service of being in person.
Many stores across the country have already implemented Buy Online, Pickup In Store (BOPIS) capabilities to provide a seamless shopping transition from a mobile phone to the physical storefront. It gives consumers more flexibility based on their shopping preferences and adds an opportunity for shoppers to browse and purchase additional items when picking up their online order. As one of the top trends since 2020, retailers can expect BOPIS to be a worthy investment.
Retailers can continue to improve this experience for both the shopper and the store employees by building out a dedicated pickup area to include organized storage for purchased merchandise, comfortable stations for store staff, and built-in technology to automate the process and ensure a fast turnaround.
Implement 2022 Retail Trends with A National General Contractor
Partnering with a national general contractor like N-STORE Services can help you complete your store remodel, overcome construction staff shortages, and plan solutions for long shipping times. From our centrally located headquarters in Missouri, the experienced field and office staff at N-STORE Services will work as an extension of your team to offer innovative, safe and cost-effective solutions that ensure a flawless project completion.
Let’s work together to transform your retail space with our complex and consistent construction solutions.
