Retail store layout

1. Straight Floor plan:

The straight floor plan is an excellent store layout for most any type of retail store. It makes use of the walls and fixtures to create small spaces within the retail store. The straight floor plan is one of the most economical store designs. 2. Diagonal Floor plan:

The diagonal floor plan is a good store layout for self-service types of retail stores. It offers excellent visibility for cashiers and customers. The diagonal floor plan invites movement and traffic flow to the retail store.

3. Angular Floor plan:

The angular floor plan is best used for high-end specialty stores. The curves and angles of fixtures and walls make for it a more expensive store design. However, the soft angles create better traffic flow throughout the retail store. 4. Geometric Floor plan:

The geometric floor plan is a suitable store design for clothing and apparel shops. It uses racks and fixtures to create an interesting and out-of-the-ordinary type of store design without a high cost.

5. Mixed Floor plan:

The mixed floor plan incorporates the straight, diagonal and angular floor plans to create the most functional store design. The layout moves traffic towards the walls and back of the store. Sequentially planned and enacted layout should have the following

characteristics: 1. Allocation of floor space: Each store has a total amount of floor space to allot to selling, merchandise, personnel and customers. Without this allocation, the retailer would have no idea of the space available for displays, signs, rest rooms and soon. Different space allocations in the retail outlets are Selling space (to display products, interactions between sales-people and customers, demonstrations etc), Merchandise space (used to stock non displayed items), Personal space (set for employees personal use), Customer space (includes lounge, benches, chairs etc for customers)

2. Classification of store offerings:

A stores offerings are next classified into product grouping. Many retailers use a combination of groupings and plan store layouts accordingly. Special provisions must be made to minimize shoplifting and pilferage. This means placing vulnerable products away from corners and doors. Four types of groupings are most commonly used. They are: Functional product groupings- which displays common end use products Purchase motivation product groupings- appeal to customers urge to buy Market segment product groupings- placing various products that appeal to target market. Storability product grouping- used for products needing special handling.

3. Determination of a traffic-flow pattern: The traffic flow pattern of the store is then set. A straight traffic flow places displays and aisle in a rectangular or a gridiron pattern. A curving traffic flow places displays and aisles in a free-flowing pattern.

4. Determination of space needs: The space for each product category is now calculated with both selling and non selling space considered. There are two different approaches: the model stock method and the space-productivity ratio. The model stock approach determines the floor space necessary to carry and display a proper merchandise assortment. Apparel and shoe stores use this method. The sales productivity ratio assigns floor space on the basis of sales or profit per foot. Highly profitable product categories get large chunks of space. Book stores and food stores use this technique.

5. Arrangement of individual products: The most profitable items and brands could be placed in the best locations and products could be arranged by package size, price, color, brand, level of personal service required and customer interest. End-aisle display positions, eye-level positions and checkout counter positions are the most likely to increase sales for individual items.

Following

are

the

types

of

Layout

found

in

Retailing

1. Mouse Trap Layout: It follows a specific walking area. This layout is one of the initial layouts of retail. This traditional format is longer in use in modern retailing. 2. Express Highway Layout: The concept needs to be used widely as it has 50-50 positive and negative impact. If the floor length is 2000 sq ft, put a mirror to make it appear double. If the floor length is 10000 sq ft, it needs to be broke into halves using racks or piles of merchandise. 3. Grid Layout: The rows of Gondola directing towards checkout is the layout called Grid Layout. This is commonly used in Provision and Grocery stores.

4. Block Layout: Entire store is broke into blocks and each area is allotted to specific category of merchandise. This layout is used in Department Store, Garments Store.

5. Race Track Layout: This kind of layout has a center point that directs towards various sections of the store.

6. Geometrical Layout: The floor area is used as is and it is in a specific shape. The floor area is square, rectangular, triangle, circle, etc.

7. Diagonal or Angular Layout: Diagonal placement of Grid Layout is angular layout. Grids or Racks are placed diagonally to enhance the arena of the store.

8. Free Form Layout: This type of layout is a retailers primary choice when it comes to Layout Planning or Designing. These layout makes you feel where and what are you shopping. The store area is designed in a fashion that it appears to you as a bedroom, kitchen, dining room or study room.