5 Retail Design Strategies to Increase Foot Traffic in 2023

Are you always looking for ways to increase their customer base and foot traffic? With the New Year just around the corner, now is the time for you, an independent retailer, to start considering how you can use proven retail design strategies to increase your store’s appeal and grow your business.

As a Retail Design Firm specializing in small women-owned businesses, it is our mission to guide and help our clients reach their fullest potential when it comes to creating stores that are beautiful, functional and convert with abundant sales! We want to share with you our TOP 5 Design Strategies that you can implement today to increase your Foot Traffic in 2023. Read on!

Bring in fresh retail products and stock

When it comes to getting customers through the door, offering new and exciting items is key. That’s why it’s so important for retailers to consistently bring in fresh products and restock shelves with popular items. This can help to create buzz around the store, as well as draw customers back in who are eager to see what’s new. 

Start by doing some market research into what kind of products would be popular with your customers and what’s currently trending in your area. Also, review what sold well for your store in the previous year. Then, once you have those products in stock, place them on displays where they’ll be more visible to your customers, for example placing product at eye level. "Eye level is buy level," so remember this when you're setting up your displays! Research shows that merchandise placed 4 to 5 feet from the ground receive 35% more attention than those that are lower or higher than eye level. Promote the new products offerings and stock on your social media channels to encourage customers to visit and shop in store.

Storefront windows

Your windows are the first thing people see when they walk into your store. They can make or break the impression of your store for a customer, so it’s important to pay attention to be mindful of your window’s presentation. Consider what you want potential customers to look at. What do you want them to see first? How will you draw them in? Try curating products that are in a theme, decorated in a way that tells a story. Stories always turn heads . Also, make sure to update your windows at least every two weeks (more often if it's the holiday season) so that people always have something new to look at when they walk by the store throughout the day.

Exterior retail signage

It’s true: a store’s sign is one of the most important factors in attracting customers. It visually displays the brand and is a critical component in a customer’s first impression of the store. If you want to attract customers, it's important that your signage is visible from a distance. You don't want people to have to walk up to your entrance in order to see what you sell; they should be able to tell as soon as they come around the corner. Some good places for hanging signs include hanging above the entrance (or even just on one side) or on windows near the entrance.

Create photo opportunities 

If you want to increase your business's visibility and attract more customers, it's important to make it easy for people to take pictures of your products. Create an Instagram wall or dedicate a nook or corner in your store for taking pictures and make sure the place is well-lit and the background clean. Giving customers something in your store to photograph and share on social media will intrigue others to visit your retail store as well.

Hold a well-decorated in-store event
New product introductions, demos, and giveaways are always popular. You can also host events that bring customers with common interests together - anniversaries, holidays, or customer loyalty programs are all great ways to get people excited and get to know one another. Holding these events can build brand recognition and a positive image for your store by creating a deeper bond with your customers and building a strong community.

As you head into a new year and season, try these  actionable strategies  to help grow your retail business and drive traffic in the new year. If you need more guidance with retail design, or visual merchandising strategies that are specific to your shop, feel free to reach out to book a discovery call with Nickeisha Lewis, NOLA Design’s founder and Retail Designer. If you want to improve the look and feel of your current store, our Store Essential service or Retail Strategy Session might be a great fit for you!