Struggling to Drive Foot Traffic? Appeal to Consumers’ Eyes and You’ll Capture their Hearts
Source: Arc ‘n Book. Seoul, South Korea
61% of shoppers in 2024 said they continue to shop in-store because they enjoy experiences like trying on items and comparing products, a 21% increase from 2023. [1] Yet, how do you get them to choose your store? What makes your product event part of the mix? How can they experience your products and encourage others to do the same? Turns out, if you capture their eyes, you’ll capture their hearts. And as any marketer knows, if you capture their heart, you’ll capture their wallet.
According to a 2023 study, visual dimension is the #1 influencing factor that affects the purchasing decision for 92.6% of people. [2] And that makes sense, right? From selfies in front of Paul Smith’s neon exterior wall in West Hollywood to Apple’s famous glass facades and the play-enticing fronts of Lego stores, consumers are drawn into stores like moths to a flame when retailers are able to show what their brand is and what they stand for by capitalizing on their physical door steps. But, how retail managers bring that front window display to life isn’t a set algorithm. It is and should be a unique formula of knowing who they are trying to attract, how they can enhance their target audience’s lifestyle, what will bring them excitement and how it teases the inside layout enough, without giving too much away, to get people to step inside.
Therefore, the following steps are recommended for any retailer as a starting point for transforming their retail space to become destination-worthy:
1. Where is your retail store and what is the look and feel of the surrounding retailers?
2. Do you have any unique colors, symbols or logos that can stand out from those other retailers?
3. What is a hero product that can anchor passersby knowledge of your brand?
4. What is a new or unique product that can pique interest?
5. Can you create a portal to another world?
6. Can you play with three-dimensional shapes that bring your storefront out further into the sidewalk or open entry space?
7. If your branding is well-known, can you reinvent it to surprise and delight while not straying too far from brand guidelines?
Sometimes it’s as easy as a pop of color. Sometimes it’s as easy as constantly rotating your window fronts with new products. But, for many, it’s now time to get creative as products and stores become eerily more and more similar. Consider specialty walk-throughs, lighting, sound and scent. Consider what you would do if you had a clean slate and tackle it without being beholden to the current design.
And if you are still struggling to drive foot traffic or just need a fresh perspective, consider an introductory call with Senaura Spaces to provide case studies, thought-starters and inspiration to drive your space to the next level. Some may call it retail interior design, but we like to call it business transformation. With the right strategy, you’ll capture audiences’ eyes and hearts, while also reviving the soul of your space.
1. 2025-WP-Reimagining-Retail; ok.commercetools.com
2. https://www.blog.thebrandshopbw.com/graphic-design-statistics/