Any shop fitout should take into consideration design architecture. This determines the spatial arrangement, plan, and use, which significantly affect customers’ experiences in a facility.
The shop should be designed in such a way that it will attract many people, promote sales, and increase one’s products' brand value.
A shop's architectural design needs to consider factors such as:
The target audience
Product range
Traffic flow
Brand identity
It should provide comfortable surroundings that are attractive for customers and staff.
The design should, therefore, also be adjustable to allow for any revisions on the shop's layout and brand.
For a shop fitout to succeed, cooperation between the architect, the customer and other partners is necessary when developing a layout that fulfils all the requirements and goals.
This review focuses on many trends that might alter how we plan for a shop fitout and some developments to anticipate in the near future.
A Changing Landscape
There are new changes in the Australian retail landscape as consumers’ behaviour and technologies affect these patterns.
Omnichannel Retailing
Omni-channel retailing is one of the major trends that businesses are moving towards. This involves offering a smooth shopping experience through all available channels, such as online, mobile and in-store.
This has especially mattered in the past years when most consumers shifted online due to a need for convenience as well as safety.
Experiential Retail
There is also an increase in experiential retail as businesses look to offer unique experiences for shoppers. These are examples of interactive screens, augmented reality, and smart shopping experiences.
Consumers want something exceptional and distinctive for their money, not simply for a transaction.
Shop fit outs trends in recent times in Australia
Here are some of the latest shop fitout trends in Australia:
Biophilic design
Organic fits have shown more and more signs of appearance in shop fitouts comprising of plants, natural lights, and water streams. This makes shopping comfortable for the customers and, as such, enhances their moods and wellness.
Modular and flexible design
They are building their stores in a flexible way that includes different sections to meet changing customers’ demands and requirements. For instance, movable walls, changeable fittings, and modifiable lighting are some of these things.
Sustainability
Retailers have embraced the green trend. As such, shop fitouts emphasise sustainable practices using eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient lighting and recycling waste produced. It signifies increased customer preference towards eco-friendly products and operations among consumers.
Technology integration
Technology in shop fitout is also evolving as more retailers rely on digital signage, interactive displays, and mobile applications to improve the customers’ experience. In this case, there is an impetus toward greater efficiency and customer convenience.
Increased ceiling
Due to this specific design option, customers feel lighter and freer when confined to smaller spaces. The design also facilitates a more airy or roomy look in the store. For instance, this bakery is located at Surfers Paradise, and it has a high ceiling with exposed beams and pipes that give the room an industrial and rustic vibe.
Advanced technology
This merges with their digital devices and e-platforms, which can be smart screens or electronic in-store advertising. This increases customer experience in relation to the product display as well as social media marketing. For instance, this cafe in Helensvale has a giant plasma display showing the menu, the specialties, and the reviews by customers.
Green walls
The use of artificial or even real plants brings that sense of nature and freshness into the store. It could also be used as an attractive background for signage, product placements and selfie points. For instance, a beautiful green vinyl covering a whole back wall that goes with the wood furniture and animal theme.
Minimalist displays
This is a minimalist style, which displays the products using a pure and non-overcrowded environment. Additionally, it highlights the level of distinction and high grade of the products. It makes the products easy to search for and browse through. For instance, in a retail outlet in Brisbane, minimalistic displays are used with wooden shelves, metal racks, and glass cases just for displaying all clothing, wearables and household.
Monochrome colour schemes
The store’s designer has decided to use only one or two colours, resulting in its clean simplicity. Also, it may bring about the feeling of balance and elegance, thereby distinguishing the goods. A case in point is that of this store in Brisbane that has a monochromatic colour scheme with the use of black and white to achieve a contemporary and sophisticated feeling.
Summary
Consumers are becoming more conscious of their purchase's footprints on the environment, making shop fitouts and architectural design sustainability a critical aspect of the current retail scene. In response, business houses are coming up with environmentally friendly products and packing and introducing green policies that affect their operations. For instance, the modern Australian retail environment is taking on customer-centric, digital, and sustainable characteristics. Thus, once COVID-19 had passed in retail, its darkest hour, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
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