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Retail Store Management

Notes 2. Well-planned retail store layout allows a retailer to maximize the sales for each
.................................of the allocated selling space within the store.
3. Store layouts generally show the size and location of each department, any permanent
structures, fixture locations and customer ................................. patterns.
4. A freeform layout is ................................. systemized and can accommodate a wider variety
of fixturing.
5. The store may be divided up into ................................. where a customer and sales person sit
down to discuss the purchase, with the merchandise conveniently nearby to refer to.
6. Layouts can make a contribution to the selling process by placing .................................
merchandise categories adjacent to one another.
7. Where a retailer has a limited range of merchandise or in situations where a high level of
personal selling is required, a number of ................................. can be used.
8. The contribution of various parts of a store’s exterior to an overall design can vary in
importance according to the type of ................................. and the products on offer.

2.2 Types of Store Layouts

There are a number of different types of layouts commonly found in retail stores. The layout
used will be dependent on the width and depth of the product range, the nature of the product
categories sold, the type of fixturing used and the constraints of the outlet in terms of size and
shape. The objective of a store layout is to maximize the interface between customers and
merchandise.

Following are the basic store layouts and circulation plans that all provide a different experience:
1. Straight plan: The straight floor plan makes optimum use of the walls, and utilizes the
space in the most judicious manner. The straight floor plan creates spaces within the retail
store for the customers to move and shop freely. It is one of the commonly implemented
store designs.

Figure 2.2: Straight Plan

Source: http://www.managementstudyguide.com/store-design-and-layout.htm
This plan divides transitional areas from one part of the store to the other by using walls
to display merchandise. It also leads the consumer to the back of the store. This design can
be used for a variety of stores ranging from pharmacies to apparel.
2. Diagonal Plan: According to the diagonal floor plan, the shelves or racks are kept diagonal
to each other for the owner or the store manager to have a watch on the customers.
Diagonal floor plan works well in stores where customers have the liberty to walk in and
pick up merchandise on their own. It uses perimeter design which cause angular traffic
flow. The cashier is in a central location and easily accessible. This plan is most suited for
self-service retail.

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