The latest surveys of Sydney’s commercial real estate trends indicate that there is a growing concentration of retail space in the CBD and the demand is ever increasing. This trend not only presents a wonderful opportunity for entrepreneurs, but also some unique challenges to shop fitters. In most cases, buildings that retail entrepreneurs may want to use might not have been designed for the sole purpose of retail business. Consequently, there are some problems that shopfitters in Sydney face. Here is a quick overview of the most common issues and possible solutions:
1. Inadequate Lighting
Whether a store is selling clothes, books, or food, inadequate lighting is certainly bound to turn customers off. Any qualified shop fitter knows that it is important to provide ample lighting to ensure that customers don’t struggle spotting the products on display. Moreover, sufficient lighting ensures that customers can read promotional and branding materials, and gives the store an airy experience.
2. Utilizing Limited Space
Retail space in Sydney is often expensive and cramped together. This makes it vital for shopfitters in Sydney to make stores look bigger in order to give customers a comfy shopping experience. For instance, a bookstore owner may wish to have a relaxing area for customers to peruse their favorite reads. Or perhaps a shoe store owner may feel like they need many chairs for customers to use when trying out new shoes. A major challenge for any shop fitter is using minimal fittings and creating an easy-to-navigate shop floor. Some of the tricks for making retail stores look bigger include:
• Minimizing furniture
• Using the spaces above
• Using bright colors and lighting to eliminate a claustrophobic feel
• Using mirrors to create an optical illusion of larger spaces
3. Shop Fitting Costs
The cost of retail space in Sydney is already substantial and any retail outlet owner will want to save some money on shop fitting. A major challenge for many shop fitters is managing the cost of creating a functional yet comfortable retail space without quoting very high fees to their clients. Here are some tips on how to minimize the cost of shop fitting for retail stores.
• Consider using recycled components and materials rather than all-new materials
• Use open-plan designs instead of erecting walls and partitions
• Let the restaurant owner buy the furniture and some of the fittings if possible
4. Poor Layout
The golden rule when it comes to retail store fit outs is having a clear layout that will optimize the customer’s shopping experience as well as expose them to the store’s best-selling items. A winding maze with narrow walk pathways and scanty signage is a major issue that every shop fitter in Sydney should avoid at all costs.
Overall, most business owners might consider retail shop fitting to be an expense. However, if done properly, it can be a significant and profitable investment in the business’s success.
Leave a Reply