It’s often good for grocery stores to have return customers who shop there year after year. Some customers like things to remain exactly the same, but usually people like a little bit of change year to year. If you want to make some updates to improve the shopping experience for regulars and new customers alike, there are a few things you can do. Here are some areas to focus on when making changes to your store.
1. Customer Convenience
One thing you should never stop improving is how convenient and comfortable it is to navigate your store. Making customers feel at home and removing obstacles from their shopping experience will likely make them more inclined to buy things or come back. Consider making periodic trips to your own store as a customer to see what needs to be improved. For example, if your carts are squeaky, hard to control or just plain broken, replace the casters and wheels with better ones. Your customers often need to use those carts to get around your store: making them better and more convenient will show consideration towards patrons as they spend time in the store.
2. Beautification
The appearance of your store is an important part of the experience of being there, and the outward appearance can even attract or repel customers. Make sure to give your store occasional paint and finish updates inside and out. Additionally, make sure no lights on your signage are burnt out or dim, which can lead to your store feeling dingy or uninviting.
3. Layout
Layout changes can be made without having to move any products. Getting larger, more open shelves can make your store feel like a brand new place with more visible products on display. You can also consider switching up the layout or products on your end cap and mid-aisle displays to give your store a sense of movement and change. If you do want to change the full layout, start with mapping your store and its current foot traffic, then use that map to extrapolate what areas need the most change or improvement.
While some things can stay the same over time, you never want to let the look and feel of your store become too stagnant. Making occasional changes over time can improve customer experiences and encourage people to return. With just a few simple updates every so often, you may see big results for customers and sales.
