Explore retail design inspiration and improve your own store’s offering

Have fun, and open your eyes to great retail design your customers are experiencing

When you are working in a store everyday, it’s easy to get swept away with the demands of the day and only focus on the bare necessities in terms of look and feel for your store. Retail is hard, and if we aren’t careful we can be lulled into overlooking opportunities (big and small) that could make a valuable difference for your customers. In an effort to kick-start your thought process, we challenge you to get out there, take off those blinders and explore all of the new stores and restaurants in your community….I know, a terrible challenge. You’re welcome.

Not only can it be incredibly inspiring, but it will also give you a really strong indication of what your customers are craving and gravitating towards. Don’t forget, your customers aren’t simply comparing your retail experience to the other bike shop in town. Next Saturday they might find themselves deciding if they are going to go shopping at Lululemon or go to a bike shop. They might even have to decide if they are going to go out for a nice lunch or stop by the bike shop. In today’s busy world, you complete against a wide array of experiences that might eat up our customer’s time and attention. Think of this as the best research project you’ve ever had to do, and get out there and see what your customers are seeing.

Retail design challenge extended. Retail design challenge accepted.

We took our own advice, and we headed up to the brand new Milk Market located on Dairy Block in Downtown Denver. It opened a few weeks ago and it is getting rave reviews.

“Denver Milk Market is an all-local, all-wonderful mix of take-away and dine-in restaurants and bars run by Colorado chef Frank Bonanno. Denver Milk Market, a 16-venue cornerstone of the historic Dairy Block, aims to draw in travelers, visitors, neighbors and fans to shop a little, drink a little, eat a little and celebrate a lot in the very heart of the Ballpark Neighborhood here in Denver. “ www.denvermilkmarket.com

This place is oozing with inspiration. From their unique flooring choices, to their exceptional branding of each ‘concept’. And despite the way their marketing makes it look, you can enjoy the experience if you are over 29 years old. Let’s take a gander of some of the stuff we experienced…

Retail design, outside

One of our favorite parts of Dairy Block (http://dairyblock.com/) and Milk Market is their use of the outdoor space for branding and ambiance. From the milk bottle string lights to the adorable quote plaques on the ground, it is a charm fest. Even their man hole covers are branded! We often see these small details hit the cutting room floor during a remodel and it breaks our heart. These features give a space soul. People want soul! What small detail can you add outdoors that would would make people smile? Do it!

Retail design, on the floor

Each space at Milk Market is differentiated by a splashy floor tile that was custom designed by Frank Bonanno’s wife, Jacqueline Bonanno. Not only does it give the overall space some good personality, but it is also a terrific story to share about the build-out process. It would be silly of them not to share that story! Is there something unique in your store that has a story that needs to be told? Tell it! If not, create your own story!

Don’t be afraid to have fun

If there is one thing this space drives home, It’s: Don’t be afraid to have a little fun with your space. If you are incorporating a sitting area, why not make the tables out of letters? If you have tall ceilings, why not make an awesomely enormous sign? How about building some neat phrases into the path your customers walk? How about mixing colors and textures in bold ways? Take a risk! Run wild! Where is your shop lacking some fun? Need help?…give us a call A.S.A.P.

Make it flow

For some bonus tips on how to make your store flow with all these new inspired ideas you now have firing in your brain, be sure to check out the latest post we wrote, “Rethinking the Flow of a Store for More Sales and Happier Customers“