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August Retail Party Discussion - Rewind - Topic: Retail Design

On August 17th, 2012 a group of retail industry specialists gathered in an open Twitter discussion regarding retail design and visual merchandising.

Attendees:
King Retail Solutions / Twitter
One Step Retail Solutions / Twitter
APG Cash Drawer / Twitter
Smart Retail / Twitter
Retail Tim / Twitter
Retail Net Group / Twitter 
Sean Deale / Twitter.

Here are some of the helpful tips presented by the attendees -

What about trends and remodels?
- An interesting concept was to implement digital signage, making it much easier to change up the look and feel without frequently.
- Avoid being too "on trend" requiring frequent redesigns unless you are financially able to commit. Trends can later date your store.

Consumer experience, what is the consumer looking for?
- King Retail Solutions and Retail Tim recommend research, including a good old fashioned focus group to really hone in on what your customers are looking for in terms of a retail experience.
- It is noted that it is important to know what the customer is looking for and how they will want to interact with the retailer.
- Do a walk through of competitors stores. Consider ways to differentiate yourself from the competition.

How to avoid a brand disconnect?
- Make sure your brand (logo, mantra, voice, aesthetic) shines through in your store design, no disconnect.
- Consider your online or magazine branding and style, ensure each point a customer will come into contact with you will be cohesive. Including: color, emotion, style and target public.

About store layout?
- Avoid cluttering the walk ways and do not put anything that could be perceived as an obstacle in the entry way.
- Facing items outward in a welcoming way towards the entrance.
- Place items that go well together is recommended.
- Creating an experience within your store can be tricky but will keep your customers in store and they may purchase more than what they initially intended on buying.

General design tips: - Colors create varied emotions and should be researched.
- Ensure you have proper lighting, lighting can set a mood and should be considered a part of the experience.
- Consider music to create the illusion of movement and motion for the quiet hours of the day. Choose a mix appropriate to your target customers.

How does mobile tie in with retail design?
- APG Cash Drawer recommends retailers take advantage of the new mobile technologies & give the end users more sufficient ways to close a sale. Thus enhancing the customers experience by creating a seamless experience.
- Many retailers are looking for a way to differential themselves from the crowd and with a variety of ways mobile can be implemented, it gives a retailer the freedom to express their brand and vision.
- Point of sale is where you want your customers to land, making your point of sale mobile removes a previous hurdle the customer had to overcome. Stationary POS can cause a customer to be dissuaded by lines or second guessing their immediate impulse on their way to checkout.



Our next Retail Twitter Party will be held on September 20th, 2012 at 11am PST discussing "Preparing for the holidays".
Sign in with your Twitter account at TWebEvent or follow the #retailparty from your Twitter account.

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