Layout Planning and Designing Services for Grocery Stores and Supermarkets
The success of a supermarket or grocery store is heavily reliant on its layout plan and design. A well-planned layout has proven to be a big factor behind high sales and enhanced customer gratification. The opposite is true in the case of a poorly planned layout. It makes finding merchandise difficult for customers. Marketing strategies cannot be effectively applied in a vague layout. The movement of customers and employees is adversely affected in such stores. At the end of the day, such consequences do not augur well for business. Hence, under no circumstances could supermarkets or grocery stores take layout planning on the lighter side.
Challenges Faced by Grocery and Supermarket Retailers in GCC countries
Like in any other part of the world, grocery and supermarket retailers in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) are also prone to many similar challenges related to layout design and planning. Some of the most prominent ones are discussed here.
One of the biggest challenges is the limited availability of commercial real estate in ideal locations. High demand for retail space ends up pushing rental prices to exorbitant levels. This makes it difficult for grocery and supermarket retailers to lease big spaces and accommodate a spacious layout for their business. This also means that they must go for expert space optimisation via layout planning.
The cultural diversity in the GCC compels grocery stores and supermarkets in many urban centres of the GCC to have an extensive merchandising mix. If they can do this effectively, they become empowered to fulfil the needs and preferences of a wider market. Good layout planning becomes essential to achieve this objective, especially in the backdrop of space constraints.
Also, the climatic conditions in the GCC pose a challenge for grocery stores and supermarkets. It is well known that the weather and climatic conditions can have implications on the life of food/food-based products. Therefore, when planning for layout, retailers must take into consideration the need to secure sufficient spaces for necessary assets and proper storage of merchandise.
Last but not the least, the continued increase in online shopping trends and the budding number of eCommerce brands in the GCC further add to the woes of brick-and-mortar grocery stores and supermarkets. As online grocery shopping continues to gather momentum, retailers must always keep the option of going omnichannel for the future. And this aspect cannot be ignored in layout planning.
How YRC Can Help
YRC offers expert, professional layout planning and designing services with dedicated and customised solutions crafted for retail grocery stores and supermarkets with or without eCommerce.
Any big or small grocery store or supermarket requires a well-defined layout strategy that takes into account numerous factors, such as the requirements of the target group, brand positioning, competitors’ layout gaps, convenience of shoppers, reduction of pilferage, positioning of high-value goods, reduction of manpower costs, special product categories, focal point, store facade, and visibility.
YRC specialises in providing supermarket and grocery layout design services for businesses of all sizes. YRC takes into consideration over 300+ parameters in designing supermarket/grocery store floor plans, supermarket/grocery store map layouts and supermarket/grocery store layout design. These parameters are grouped into major clusters, such as security and safety, the convenience of shoppers and staff, cross-promotion of categories, focal points and memory hooks, the flow of goods and walk-in shoppers, ease of cleanliness, hygiene precautions, and emergency situation handling.
Our solutions are aimed at providing a convenient and digitally enhanced experience to shoppers to ensure that they keep coming back to the store.
After finalising the functional layout, the focus shifts to store aesthetics. Brand positioning and target customer group are primary considerations for interior design. YRC’s team of interior design experts work in the following areas:
- Furniture/ fixture layout,
- HVAC layout,
- Plumbing layout,
- Electrical layout,
- Civil layout,
- Interior design, and
- 3D designs.
If retailers seek to augment customer experience and enhance operational efficiency in their grocery stores or supermarkets, then they must consider using relevant and advanced technological solutions.
In this direction, we help in identifying and assessing the best-fit technologies. We also provide assistance in identifying suitable vendors to implement the selected IT solutions.
Some examples of technological advancements include electronic shelf labels, mobile apps, self-checkout systems, smart carts and baskets, beacons, and omnichannel systems. YRC assists in identifying suitable partners to execute these implementations.
To create an optimal storage environment, YRC’s supermarket and grocery business experts and store design experts collaborate in finalising the furniture and fixtures. The collaboration of business and design expertise is essential in developing an effective layout design.
FAQs
How to design grocery store layout?
Please read the blog or visit the blog section on our website.
What are the main types of retail store layouts for grocery stores and supermarkets? Which form of layout is best suited for grocery stores?
The main types of retail store layouts for grocery stores and supermarkets are Grid Layout, Loop or Racetrack Layout, Free-Flow Layout, Fixed Path Layout or Forced-Path Layout, Herringbone Layout, and Hybrid Layout.
Each layout type has its own pros and cons. If this is a business enquiry, please feel free to reach out to us and speak to one of our experts.
What is the key consideration for designing a store layout?
There is more than one consideration involved. Please read the blog or visit the blog section on our website.
What is the impact of store layout design on consumer purchase?
Store layout planning and design play a decisive role in improving CX, driving sales, and bolstering brand loyalty.
A good store layout design stimulates consumer purchase behaviour with intuitive and engaging guidance as shoppers move through the store. But before that product placement must be done strategically in ways that maximise visibility, accessibility, and appeal.