How to Make Your Retail Space in Columbia, MO Stand Out From the Rest

Let Lindner Properties Give You the Most Important Tips for Choosing Commercial Real Estate, Designing Your Retail Location & More

The world of retail extends into many categories. Business owners interested in retail may plan to open a local grocery market, a luxury clothing boutique, an electronics store selling the latest products, or something entirely different. Most retail spaces have similar features, such as a checkout register or displays meant to influence independent shoppers. As your retail plans start to become a reality, it will be important to find the best commercial space in Columbia, MO and devise a strategy for making your retail location memorable to visitors. From design tips to legal advice, Lindner Properties is here to answer all your questions about mid-Missouri retail ownership. Follow along and contact our team!

Optimize the entrance to your retail location in Columbia, MO

The front of your store or boutique, also known as the decompression zone, is important when making a good impression on guests. These first 15 feet can be a welcoming introduction, or it could turn visitors away depending on your choices. In the entrance of a retail store, customers will typically use this space to get a general scan of the establishment. They are more likely to overlook products or displays in this section, so avoid placing your most relevant merchandise in the decompression zone. 

Your retail space layout heavily impacts the impression you make on Columbia, MO shoppers

The priority for a successful retail business should be the layout of the occupied space. If a customer can’t find the products they are looking for or they feel crowded by the furniture’s placement, it can hold you back from the sales you need to be making. Map out the customer experience as you walk through a commercial space, and optimize the store in a way that encourages people to follow through on their purchases, and more importantly, return for their next shopping trip. 

Focus on the direction of customer flow when planning your mid-Missouri retail space for rent

Shoppers may not always be aware of it, but many often follow a similar pattern while navigating a new store. Understanding the journey your customers take is substantial to developing the most effective and convenient retail layout in Columbia, MO. Most business owners follow the “invariant right” method, which claims that people naturally start their shopping on the right side of the store. With this information in mind, you can take advantage of this customer flow by setting carts, baskets, best-selling products, and more to the right. 

Consider the layout of products & average wait time in a store in Columbia, MO

The goal of your retail layout is to increase the amount of time people dwell while shopping. You want to ensure they see the most important products, giving them more incentive to buy. By optimizing the order of items in your commercial property, guests are less likely to leave empty-handed. Retail stores also commonly use staging and strategy to boost the chances of an impulse purchase, whether it’s snacks near the checkout counter or a free sample booth. 

Create a pleasant sensory experience in the space for your customers

It is not surprising to learn that many retail shoppers lead with their senses, taking note of the different smells, sights, and sounds in the place they’re exploring. If your goal is for customers to associate pleasant experiences with their time in your retail store, create a cohesive environment using everything from decorations to music to scents. The lighting is also an essential factor – visitors can look at products clearly in a brighter setting, or you can grab their attention with clever mood lighting.

Popular types of retail layouts for Columbia, MO business owners

Grid store layout

The grid layout is one of the most common retail layouts, and is best suited for typical grocery markets in the Columbia, MO area. This space allows shoppers to walk up and down a group of long aisles, putting the relevant items further towards the back of the store and leaving impulse products near the entrance. With a simple grid, customers can move easily between the sections, but there isn’t excessive empty space. If you plan to display most of your products on shelves, this is the right layout for your commercial property rental. 

Loop layout

Retail locations that contain a loop, or racetrack layout, provide a simple path for visitors to follow. The checkout counter might be located at the front and center, while the natural path moves in a counterclockwise circle. During this shopping trip, guests will have an easy view of all your products in the middle of the space. 

Herringbone layout

While the herringbone retail layout is similar to the grid shape, it is much more accommodating for a narrow space. Convenience stores, libraries, and hardware stores usually follow this design to fit all their products neatly into one area. Shoppers will have walking space down the center, but they can turn left or right into the aisle with the merchandise they need. Herringbone layouts also allow customers to enter the property on one side and exit through the other.

Geometric store layout

Do you want unique displays and a less traditional approach towards your retail business in Columbia, MO? Modern stores have begun to adopt the geometric store layout, especially when selling clothes or artwork. Instead of sticking to long, rectangular aisles, you can get creative with the way you showcase merchandise. It can also show your audience that you’re communicating a brand with the interior design. Be careful using this layout in order to prevent confusing shoppers, and start by discussing your ideas with a professional in the commercial real estate industry.

Free-flow layout

The free-flow design, much like geometric store layouts, breaks away from the expected retail shopping journey. However, this type of layout doesn’t attempt to build one specific path. The free-flow layout entices shoppers to wander around in Columbia, MO retail spaces. There might be display sections where you emphasize your marketing, but the rest of the features are your choice! This is a great method for accomplishing a spacious retail location where customers can feel more relaxed (and possibly more inspired to buy from you).

Boutique store layout

When you envision a regular clothing store in Columbia, MO, you’re probably thinking of a boutique store layout. This type of retail location generally separates products by brand or category. As a boutique owner, you can highlight the best of your inventory in a format that is simple to understand, and it can help when carrying diverse collections of products that vary. Instead of placing aisles in your commercial property, you can customize the area with tables, shelves, and clothing racks. 

Mixed or hybrid layout

Nothing says you have to commit to one kind of retail layout. With a mixed or hybrid design, your store can implement several of your favorite designs and combine them to finish a design for your personal business needs. For example, you can build the first half of the store with a grid layout and use geometric shapes for the other half. Consulting with a commercial property expert can guide your decisions for an upcoming retail space in Columbia, MO. 

Steps for Choosing the Perfect Retail Space to Lease in Columbia, MO 

Make the objectives for your mid-MO commercial real estate clear 

First, you need to come up with the goals for your new retail business, besides making sales. Are you introducing your services to the Columbia, MO community? How does your location meet the needs of your audience? Do you have plans to expand with a second retail space? Take note of your wants and the features you don’t want before seeking commercial property with a professional. 

Evaluate the space for rent & think about the customer journey for your audience in Columbia, MO

The amount of square footage in your store is vital to the furnishing process. If you have limited space, it is still possible to create an engaging and interesting retail layout. As long as you have a strong vision of the shopping trip your customers will be taking, it will be fairly easy to prioritize the space you have. On the other hand, larger retail businesses should use the extra room wisely. Keep your commercial real estate from being too empty or overcrowded with careful planning and consultation with design experts.   

Pick fixtures & furniture for the merchandise at your mid-Missouri retail location

Every retail store comes in different categories, and the contents inside the space will inform your customers about your business. When you find a commercial space in Columbia, MO, it will take some consideration to choose the perfect furniture for accommodating guests. Couches, tables, shelves, lighting fixtures, and more will play a role in your aesthetic, as well as the various colors and textures of these items. If you’re not sure you want to keep the layout you currently have, try using more portable furniture to make changes easier. 

Prepare for the costs of design & implementation of retail space in Columbia, MO

Creating the right appearance for your retail location is important, but it is even more vital for business owners to work within their budget. The more detailed and complex your layout is, the more money it will likely cost to order and install everything. Before moving on with a design plan, you should check prices along the way and find a solution that gives you what you want while still being affordable. 

Make sure your Columbia, MO commercial property is accessible & complies with legal requirements

Another aspect of retail ownership is following the laws of commercial real estate in Columbia, MO. Every shop should have ramps and special features included so shoppers with disabilities can get simple access and explore your business without difficulty. Don’t rent the first property you see, either. Take time to learn about the company you’re searching with, and make sure they have the required knowledge to get your business started legally. 

Contact the Lindner Properties team now & see retail space for rent in Columbia, MO

Opening a retail location doesn’t have to be stressful. Lindner Properties will listen to your business goals and present you with a fantastic collection of commercial properties in the Columbia, MO area. Get in touch with our team and imagine your future retail space today!