Business e-Book Collection September 2013 | Page 10

Improve your layout
While working for a large-format retail group, I was involved in the exercise of
improving the layout of our stores. This was a massive effort, and involved
removing all stock from the shelving, repositioning the shelving, then re-stocking
the shelves with a view to maximising space and customer comfort. In most cases,
we found that the adjustments meant we could fit 10 to 20 per cent more stock on
the floor, and it was easier for the customer to find things, so the revenue of the
store also improved as a result.
Why is it important to spend time thinking about your layout? Because layout:
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impacts on the amount of time your customers spend in your store
should influence shopping decisions and add-on purchasing
should lead to increased returns on the available floorspace
should provide a positive experience for your customers
reflects your branding and makes you more memorable

Store layout needs to be considered from the perspectives of traffic flow and
overall presentation:
Traffic flow can be either structured (aisles are set up in such a way that a
customer has no choice but to move through in a specific way – think of how Ikea
sets up their stores), or free-flowing (most small retail stores are set up this way)
Overall presentation needs to take into account:
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commitments to manufacturers;
sales figures for individual products;
promotions; and
seasonal considerations.13

If you work from a home office, you should also consider your layout. You need to
have things that you use regularly in close quarters, things used less regularly a
little further away, and things used rarely put away, but in places where you can
find them when you need them. This improves your effectiveness and efficiency.
There are health and safety matters that should be considered when working out
store or office layouts. Look into the regulations prior to committing to a
particular layout.
There are consultants available who can examine your store and produce a
potentially more profitable and comfortable layout for your store.

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https://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/toolbox/retail/toolbox/index.htm?unit_mm/concepts/mmc0104.htm