Making renovations to your retail location can seem like a daunting task involving more time and money than many store owners would like to invest. However, remodeling can affect the way your employees, clients and customers perceive your business. Commercial renovations imply success and send the message that you are willing and able to invest in your customer’s shopping experience by expanding or making improvements to ensure their comfort, ease of movement and overall enjoyment. Modern renovations that improve a building’s layout and flow can also improve employee morale and attract new employees that previously may have navigated to your competitors.
The benefits of undergoing retail renovations, whether minor or major, usually outweigh the costs by providing a generous return on investment (ROI). However, if you are still on the fence about how big of a leap to take, we have compiled the following tips to help make your renovation decisions easier. As retail construction contractors, our engineers and staff have extensive experience with renovations of all sizes in Bucks and Montgomery Counties and Philadelphia, PA.
Think about Your Needs Realistically: Will your property need a total demolition to achieve your desired results, or can you use some of the building’s existing framework and infrastructure? In most cases, you can keep the load-bearing beams, electrical panels, plumbing fixtures, gas lines and cable and phone wiring intact. You can also concentrate on new flooring, ceilings and lighting to make a change that won’t break your budget. However, if the building needs a complete overhaul to meet your needs and you have to replace the entire structures, then prepare to make a large investment with the knowledge that it will pay off in the end. It is rare that major renovations are needed without a good reason.
Consider Creating a Mock-Up of Your Ideal Layout: When you think about the store of your dreams, where do you envision the merchandise, service area and cash registers? Take the current setup into account, making note of what works and what needs to be changed. Do your customers follow any patterns, congregate in certain locations or get confused in any areas? Also consider the flow of your space and the best ways to funnel foot traffic to benefit your sales and the customer’s experience. For example, organize merchandise to promote cross-selling and ease of shopping, not just to be visually-appealing. And above all, remember to focus on enhancing and reinforcing your brand. At NMBOC, we have professional teams available to help you create your ideal mock-up, which will allow you to make revisions without wasting time, money or resources.
Don’t Forget the Details:
- Consider the ratio of carpeting versus tile flooring– harder surfaces encourage movement and offer benefits to shoppers when you offer carts or they require strollers.
- Incorporate design elements that keep your customer’s needs in mind– make aisles wide enough to accommodate those strollers and place shelving units low enough for easy access, but not too low that the elderly or disabled would have difficulties.
- Choose lighting that complements your store’s mood while directing customers to featured areas. Keep in mind that LEDs are becoming more affordable and desirable, and that they will last longer and save a considerable amount of energy compared to incandescent lighting.
- Color can be a powerful motivator, especially when paired with smart lighting techniques. For instance, red and orange colors have been shown to trigger hunger. Research the color schemes for your industry to create a space that makes your customers and employees comfortable.
At National Maintenance and Build Out Company (NMBOC), we understand how important it is to minimize disruptions during your renovation or build out construction. We guarantee that we will get your business back to normal as soon as possible. When you work with us in Bucks County, Montgomery County or Philadelphia, we will design timelines and deadlines with your needs in mind, even if that means working throughout the night. In addition, we will provide constant updates and alerts and will always stick to your budget. When considering a commercial renovation, look no further than NMBOC – we have the knowledge to get your job done right, every time.
