Know How to Choose the Right Location for a Retail Store

The location of your retail shop will have a significant effect on your public persona, shop display equipment, area, walk-in traffic, future earning potential, and other factors. Choosing a location that does not take these aspects into account may hinder the company's capacity to flourish and grow.

Before deciding on a retail shop site, consider how you view your company now and in the future.

• What are the characteristics of your target market?
• Can you picture your structure?
• Do you have a clear idea of what you want to offer and what you want your company to be renowned for?
• Have you established how much retail space, storage space, or office space you require?

If you do not answer these simple questions, it will be challenging to select the ideal location for your retail store to maximize profits.

Types of Products Sold

Examine the products you sell, as some will necessitate specific types of locations. For example, is your store classified as a retail outlet, a specialty shop, or a shopping center?

Convenience items necessitate simple access for the buyer to make an immediate purchase. These items are also of broad interest to consumers. A mall may not be an ideal site for convenience goods because these items may be priced differently than other merchants on the property. Your space planners would understand that customers may be more likely to shop at convenience stores placed along their usual commute routes. This can include occupying space at or near a transit hub or along regularly used roads.

Specialty goods meet more specific needs than general-purpose products. Customers won't mind going out of their way to get this product as they can't get it at a convenience or general goods store. Because their products complement each other, this shop with proper shop display equipment may do well near other shopping establishments.

A large shopping store typically sells things that the buyer purchases infrequently at a greater price. For example, a big-ticket shopping store sells furniture, automobiles, and expensive clothing. This type of buyer will want to compare the prices before buying a product because the costs of these things are higher. Therefore, retailers in this area would be wise to place their stores far from their competitors.

Your Customer and the Population

Before deciding on a city or state in which to put your retail store, you or your space planners should conduct extensive research on the area. Read the local newspapers and talk to other small companies in the region. Obtain demographic information about the site from the local library, chamber of business, or the Census Bureau. Retail-specific research businesses may also be able to supply demographic information.

These sites should provide data on the population, income groups, and median age of the area. You know your clients, so choose a location close to where they live, work, and shop.

Availability, visibility, and traffic flow

Don't mistake a high traffic volume for a high volume of customers. Retailers desire to be placed in areas where there are many people, but only if those people fit the definition of their market segment. In addition, small retail establishments may profit from traffic created by larger stores nearby. Along these lines, retailers should examine several factors.

• How many people pass by the place on foot or by car?
• How effectively is public transit supplied in the area?
• Is it possible for consumers and delivery vehicles to readily enter and exit the parking lot?
• Is there enough parking?

Architecture, Signage, and Planning

Before you sign the papers:

1. Be sure you understand all the rules, policies, and processes that apply to your retail shop location.
2. Contact your local town hall and zoning commission for information on signage laws. There may be restrictions on the size and content of signage used to market your business or limitations on the large shop display equipment to be used.
3. Inquire about any limitations that may affect your retail operation, as well as any plans that may affect traffic, such as highway construction.

Costs of Location

When selecting a retail store site, consider all location-based charges in addition to the base rent.

• Who is responsible for lawn care and protection?
• Who is responsible for the maintenance and maintenance of heating and air conditioning units?
• Will you need to paint or alter the space to make it suitable for your needs?
• Will the retailer be obligated to pay property taxes?

The place you can manage now and what you can manage later may differ. Making sales predictions for a new firm is challenging. Finding out how much sales similar retail shops make and how much rent they pay is one technique to evaluate how much rent you can afford.

Final Thoughts:

When selecting a location for your retail store, you may need to take extra precautions. First, list any unique aspects of your company that need to be addressed.

• Will the business necessitate the installation of certain lights, fixtures, or other hardware?
• Are there restrooms for both employees and customers?
• Do fire and police adequately protect the neighborhood?
• Is there any kind of sanitary service available?
• Is there a canopy over the building that gives shelter if it rains?

I'm Preben Paulsen and working with Planova and they are leading manufacturer and supplier of Shelving solutions, shop fitting, retail store displays and best space planners in Europe.