This is a touchy subject and I feel a little awkward writing this piece because I know what you’re going to say, “of course she wants us to engage a designer – it is, after all her business”. But, hold your horses, because there is method to my madness and I’ve seen too many blood noses from clients who’ve decided not to engage a designer to warrant me writing a piece on this. Basically, first and foremost designers aren’t just about planning a space and making it look pretty.
We go far deeper than that. We ensure your brand personality is reflected across all aspects of your retail store design and that your space is utilised to its maximum potential. Which in turn makes you money, honey. It’s all about the ROI for us.
The key benefits of choosing an interior designer for your retail store are:
• You might think that we like to spend your money, but in fact, it’s quite the opposite. As designers, it is our job to ensure cost efficiencies across the board.
• Every square metre you lease will cost a pretty penny. We are trained at planning the space to ensure maximum traffic flow, space efficiencies all while incorporating the psychology of shopping to help increase your business.
• Establishing a new store or doing a fit out is no small undertaking. By leaving it to a design professional, you’re able to source products, the marketing and other aspects of the business. We like to call it ‘sticking to your knitting’.
• Designers are experts and qualified in bringing together all the elements that are required to design a successful retail store. By leaving the design, layouts, colour schemes, merchandising, instore branding, and way finding to us you’re more likely to have a positive end result.
• Designers are able to take advantage of specialty products and services only offered to design professionals. The good designers also have an extensive list of construction and joinery manufacturing contacts at their fingertips.
• By engaging a professional design team, you ensure your retail store accurately reflects the layout and facilities your business requires. While there are a number of people who are able to draw up a plan, an Interior Designer has the skill and expertise to maximize the space, make sure it’s on brand and is designed to its full potential for you, your staff and your customers.
There are some incredibly talented people out there who will want to see you succeed. So, use them!
Lizzi Hines is MD of Spaceworks. For more information, phone 0800 2 FIT OUT, or visit www.spaceworks.co.nz
