When it comes to setting your business up for success in the retail sphere, it’s important that you’re able to create the perfect in-store atmosphere. This is because the environment you curate within your store will directly influence the mood of both your customers and employees, which in turn can impact your sales.
With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to create the perfect atmosphere and environment within your retail store.
Keep it clean. Clean, well-organized stores tend to generate more organic foot traffic than those that do not meet the hygiene standards of their customers. In fact, a recent study found that 99% of customers are influenced by poor cleanliness, meaning they’ll take their custom elsewhere should your shop appear dirty or messy. As such, you should ensure that your store is thoroughly cleaned each morning or evening, perhaps by a professional cleaning service. Throughout the day, staff should also work to keep their stations clean and organized, as this way, there’s no time for clutter to build up.
Play music. Many scientific studies have found that music can impact shopper behaviors. For example, relaxing music can prove to be a welcome distraction in a busy (and often noisy) shopping center, which means that customers are likely to spend more time in your store than they would otherwise. As a result, playing music in your store can be a great way to draw in a bigger crowd and convince them to make a purchase, especially if the music puts them in a good mood. Thankfully, this does not mean you have to spend hours curating the perfect shopping playlist, as streaming companies such as SiriusXM have done the hard work for you. In fact, when you try SiriusXM streaming music for free you can listen to over 240 channels and streams – whether you’re trying to create a calm, soothing atmosphere or a vibrant and exciting one.
Use color theory in your design choices. Many scientific studies into “color theory” have found that our brains are hardwired to associate certain colors with specific feelings. As such, being surrounded by these colors can impact our mood quite considerably. For example, “the cool end of the color system – violets, blues, and greens – has a quieting, tranquil influence; the warm end – yellows, oranges, reds – tends to stimulate and excite.” By incorporating these colors into your design choices, you have a little more control over how your customers feel when they enter your store. For example, you could use a fresh coat of paint to brighten up your space – and these efforts, while inexpensive, also show that you are committed to making your store better for your customers.
Greet your customers. Greeting your customers at the door creates a welcoming atmosphere from the word go – making them feel as though their presence is valued and appreciated. As such, it’s hardly surprising that this has “been proven to increase customer satisfaction and reduce the possibility of shoplifting, and they can even help increase online sales.” It also gives you the chance to answer any questions they might have about certain products, giving you the opportunity to boost sales. However, you should also ensure that you do not overburden your customers by following them through the store or interacting with them too frequently. Usually, you can pick up on signals as to whether or not they’re happy to continue chatting or would like to browse in peace – and you must respond to this in order to get the best possible results.
Ask for feedback. Asking customers for a little information on how they found their in-store experience is an easy way to use customer feedback to improve your business. For example, you may direct them toward a short online survey where you ask them about in-store cleanliness, atmosphere, customer service skills, and more. However, you may want to provide customers with an incentive to take time out of their day to complete these forms, such as a discount code to use in the future.
Work on your customer service skills. Good customer service skills can sometimes be the difference between a customer making a purchase or buying something from your competitor instead. A positive experience often also encourages repeat custom and loyalty. Thankfully, there are various ways in which you can improve customer service across your store. For example, you should ensure all staff receive thorough customer service training, regardless of how long they may have worked in retail previously.