IMPROVING LAYOUT & THE USE OF SPACE Ken Parsons
Retailing is basically shopkeepers renting serviced space to manufacturers
THE THREE Ss SPACE STAFF STOCK
WHAT DO WE WANT FROM OUR SPACE? Meet legal requirements Pleasant place to spend time in Meet customers’ known needs Help the store sell more Easy for staff to maintain & service SOMETIMES NEEDS ARE IN CONFLICT
Before getting clever the basics have to be right !! Tidy Clean Filled up and in-stock Price tickets etc. in place Maintained well
HOW CUSTOMERS BEHAVE Inexperienced shopping E.g. oven cleaners Experiential shopping E.g. fresh produce Considered shopping E.g. greetings cards Grab and go E.g. newspaper Impulse shopping E.g. confectionery
How do supermarkets do it?
Dividing it up Staff space Customer space Stock space
STORE LAYOUTS IT’S SCIENCE, HONESTLY! Not too crowded Display stock well Space for sufficient range Sell stuff Retail theatre Practical store operation Customer circulation
GRAPH PAPER IS YOUR FRIEND
Outside space
The Strategy for layout ENCOURAGE CUSTOMER CIRCULATION ALLOW CUSTOMERS TO GET OVER THE THRESHOLD - “DECELERATION ZONE” HELP CUSTOMERS VISIT EVERY PART OF THE STORE AVOID QUEUES BLOCKING CIRCULATION ALLOW BROWSING AREAS
PRACTICALITIES Location of counter is key – front or back? Refrigeration on wallrun visible from door Pillars and other obstructions accommodated
A FEW RULES Aisles at least a metre wide Gondola height – people able to see over them Designated promotional/seasonal space Fittings appropriate e.g. right length counter Blocking windows undesirable but often necessary – but need to look professional Don’t overdo the aisle -blockers e.g. dumpbins
PRODUCT POSITIONING Impulse purchases in high traffic areas Destination shopping at back Linked purchases close together Vulnerable/age restricted lines near counter Dual site if space permits
EXAMPLES Newspapers to rear of store Confectionery in prominent position Alcohol near counter Household in low traffic area Greetings cards in browsing area Refrigeration round walls
USE OF SHELF SPACE
THE BRAIN IS VERY GOOD AT FILTERING OUT COMPLEXITY – customers only fully see odd bits
EYE LEVEL IS BUY LEVEL Block ranges vertically not horizontally Ensure shelves are the right depth for the range on them Use display outers sparingly If customers can’t see it, they won’t buy it GOOD – BETTER - BEST
SOME ISSUES Use your sales figures Do not cram in too much – balance new lines with discontinuations Use planograms where available, adapt as necessary Maintain shelf discipline
THE WORLD KEEPS SPINNING.. REVIEW USE OF SPACE REGULARLY MAKE SURE SOMEBODY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SPACE
www.ruralshops.org.uk
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