How to Create a Cozy Store for a Refreshing Customer Experience

Did you know that 35% of shoppers dislike and will even avoid certain shops because there’s a lack of atmosphere? So if you feel like your shop has all the best stuff but not enough customers are coming through, then that might be why.

If you want your customers to have a great experience, then you need to have a cozy store. You need to first draw them in so your products stand a chance to be noticed.

Not sure how to do this? Then read on, as we’ll tell you how to create a store environment that your customers will love.

Put Throw Rugs and Other Soft Mats Around

When you think of “cozy,” what do you think of? Chances are, you conjure up images of soft materials. Your customers are likely to as well.

A great way to manifest softness (aka coziness) in your store is to put some throw rugs and other soft mats around. This can instantly give your shop a softer, more comfortable atmosphere.

What’s great about this idea is that it’s very easy to do, and affordable as well. Also, you won’t have to rearrange your shop, as all you’ll have to do is put the rugs and mats underneath existing tables, chairs, etc.

Try to find rugs and mats in shades that match your store’s color scheme. This can help give it a more cohesive look, rather than appear as if you’ve haphazardly strewn throw rugs around.

Put in a Sofa

Look in any American house and we guarantee that there’s a sofa in the living room. So a great idea if you want to create a cozy store is to put in a sofa!

For one, this will remind your customers of home. And in their minds, they most likely equate “home” with “coziness,” which means it’ll be really easy to create a comfy atmosphere.

Also, many people don’t shop alone; they often drag a bored spouse or children along. In any case, should any person be tired, they can catch their second wind by relaxing in the comfortable sofa you’ve so considerately put in your store. They’ll surely appreciate that you’ve done this!

Add in Some Houseplants

Many retail stores make the mistake of appearing too industrial and cold. This is because they treat their shop as a commercial space and utilize a different mindset to decorate it.

You don’t want to make the same mistake everyone else has. Instead, try to think of your store as a second home. What would you like in it?

Putting in throw rugs and a sofa already does a lot to soften the atmosphere up. Houseplants can be the perfect additional touch to make your store really seem like a home away from home for your customers.

These can add pops of green (and other colors if they have flowers) in various places of your store. If you think your shop seems dull and unremarkable in looks, then you’d be surprised at just how quickly it can liven up with just a few strategically-placed houseplants!

Play Slow, Relaxing Music

You don’t want your customers to rush through your store, do you? If they do, then they might miss out on noticing some key products you have! So by playing quick, upbeat music, you might be inadvertently rushing your customers out of your store.

What you want to do is play some slow, relaxing music. This allows customers to slow down and appreciate what you have to offer them.

The slower tempo music will help them take each section of your store in, meaning they’ll spend more time browsing. It can also relax them and put them in a better mood, which can mean a higher probability of them spending more than they first intended to.

All of the above combined together means you’ll have a better chance of selling your products to customers.

Don’t Forget About Scents

A cozy retail store interior wouldn’t be complete without some warming scents. After all, humans have a really strong sense of smell and often, we have memories associated with certain smells. For example, maybe a whiff of the salty but fresh seaside air takes you back to your childhood summers.

As you can see, smell is very important. So you want to make sure your customers’ experiences in your shop aren’t ruined or detracted from either a lack of nice smells, or even worse, ruined from pungent odors.

You can always spritz some fragrances around every once in a while. And of course, you should keep your store clean, including taking care of any spills or messes immediately so they don’t get a chance to spread around the shop and make it smell bad.

If you want something easy, consider purchasing some scent systems to put around your store. These little machines are sleek and will automatically disperse pleasant aromas so your customers’ shopping trips will be a delight!

Make Your Space a Cozy Store With Our Tips

If you’ve been stumped about how to make a cozy store, now you have plenty of ideas to perk up your retail space. Put yourself in your customers’ shoes and think about what they’d like. When you’re able to do so, then you’ll see a noticeable difference in foot traffic.

So put our tips to good use and start creating a comfortable retail store that customers will enjoy. You’ll surely start to see familiar faces come back often!

If you enjoyed our article on creating a cozy retail store, then make sure you take a look at our other informative blog posts now.