Retailers need to offer memorable experiences for customers, resulting in increased foot traffic and potential sales. This requires innovative retail design that incorporates technological and sustainable features.
For example, retail spaces can feature a “decompression zone” near the entrance that helps shoppers relax before diving into shopping. They can also include aisle displays that highlight complementary products and encourage upselling and cross-selling.
Smart Shelving Systems
As ecommerce sales continue to rise, bricks-and-mortar retailers are seeking new ways to differentiate themselves. Rather than focusing on product alone, they are incorporating experiential elements into their store layouts.
From smart shelving systems to interactive displays, many retail fit out companies in Dubai are implementing innovative technology solutions that enhances the customer shopping experience. For example, a new shoestore by Level Shoes is a collaboration with Google and includes transparent screens, a virtual point of sale, and software that customers can use to design their own shoes.
Shelving is a crucial component of shopfitting, with gondolas and slatwalls popular for their ability to organize products and maximize space. In addition, a growing focus on sustainability has encouraged many businesses to incorporate eco-friendly designs.
For example, some retail spaces have used a combination of recycled materials and digital displays to create an integrated shopping experience. This is known as phygital retail. This trend is expected to boost the UAE commercial interior fit out market over the forecast period (2022-2028).
Interactive Displays
Incorporating interactive displays into retail space design helps boost customer engagement. From interactive mannequins to interactive video screens, these devices can help brands convey their brand messages and encourage consumers to make purchases. Adding these elements into retail spaces also creates a more immersive shopping experience and increases consumer loyalty.
Unconventional materials are another trend in shopfitting, with many retailers experimenting with repurposed items to add visual interest to their store interiors. From repurposed shipping containers to textured walls, these unconventional materials can help distinguish stores from competitors and draw in customers.
Keeping up with shopfitting trends is essential for retail businesses looking to attract and retain customers. From personalised shopping experiences to innovative designs, these new trends can help retail stores stand out in a highly competitive marketplace.
Unconventional Materials
Shopfitting is a key element in the success of retail outlets. It is the process of planning, designing and installing equipment and furniture for a specific look or feel inside a retail space. It also involves combining various materials such as metal, wood and plastic. It is important for a shopfitter to have the ability to combine his vision and that of his client, as well as that of an interior designer.
A growing number of brick-and-mortar retailers are integrating their physical spaces with their digital offerings. For example, some fashion brands host events like runway shows and collaborations in their stores that they then livestream online. This enables them to reach an audience that might not be able to attend in person.
In addition, some brands use reclaimed wood and other environmentally friendly materials in their store designs. This is especially popular among younger shoppers who are concerned about the environment. Other examples of innovative designs include biodegradable mannequins and papier-mache wall panels. These creative approaches to store design are a great way to set brands apart and attract customers.
Mixing Textures and Finishes
As retailers compete with online-only competitors, creating an inviting and aesthetically appealing shopping environment is essential to attracting customers and driving sales. The latest trends in shopfitting include integrating technology, embracing sustainability, and exploring creative materials and aesthetics.
The shop fitting materials market is growing due to the need for attractive product displays in retail stores and supermarkets. In addition, the need for innovative shopfitting solutions that can accommodate changing consumer preferences is boosting the market.
Plastics are a popular shopfitting material because they offer versatility, affordability, and functionality. Acrylic, for example, is ideal for signage and displays because it offers a high level of transparency at a low price point. Other plastics, such as polycarbonate, are suitable for fixtures and shelving because they provide durability and strength.
As the world of work continues to evolve, flexible workspaces are increasingly in demand. For shopfitting professionals, this means incorporating functional elements into design that can adapt to a variety of working styles. This includes providing shelving and display options that can easily be rearranged to suit different store layouts.
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
Unlike VR, which relies on immersive headsets to provide users with virtual data, AR keeps the user grounded in a real-world environment by overlaying augmented content. Image recognition, depth tracking and mapping software are employed to interpret the environment and generate digital data. This information is displayed via smartphones, glasses or projections to the user.
In the retail world, AR can be used to help customers make purchase decisions by allowing them to see how products such as furniture would look in their homes. It can also be leveraged to improve the customer experience by providing them with relevant and timely marketing information.
Luxury brands are leveraging AR to meet the needs of profitable local shoppers who crave in-store experiences. Fashion brand & Other Stories, for example, launched an AR-enabled vending machine in 2020 that allowed customers to try on virtual clothing.
