As consumers continue to adapt to the changing world and the new protocols that are part of their daily lives, they have a lot to consider, including their health and safety, new shopping habits, and what the store of the future will look like, reports Peter Rigney
Currently, store design is all about Perspex screens, directional wayfinding, and sanitising stations, to support health and safety procedures in-store. But the pandemic is going to have a lasting impact on consumers and, in turn, on our store environments. As consumers’ shopping habits change, we are moving towards a future that will call for a more considered shop floor footprint.
This may be a shop floor that is more compact, that drives brand engagement through showcasing brand values, and uses the physical store as a ‘stage’ for key products, whether it is ‘fresh and local’ or convenience. This new physical space will need to be backed up by e- commerce to drive click and collect and online, allowing for the physical store to blend with digital solutions.
