Store Layout Optimization

I recently visited one of Kohl’s mall-based stores. It’s a large shop on two levels, so there is more space and scope to offer a deep assortment and merchandise creatively.    Positively, the store was fairly neat; nowhere near as messy as many other Kohl’s I have visited.   Unfortunately, it was also extremely lackluster and very difficult to shop. Merchandising is dense. Delineation between departments is poor. Sightlines are bad. Displays are somewhat random. Lighting is poor. And so on.   The net result is a very unappetizing shopping experience that does little to entice the customer or make their journey easy.   Now, one question I often get asked is: does this actually matter? Does it really damage sales? Fortunately, we track lost sales. And the answer is very clear: yes, it does. Last year, we estimate that poor merchandising and friction in the store shopping experience cost Kohl’s $832 million in lost sales. This is from people either spending less than they intended or forgoing purchases they came in to make.    Now, let’s be clear. Every single retailer and store has lost sales. It’s a part of doing business and no one ever reduces it to zero because there will always be something unsatisfactory to some consumer. It is also impossible to execute flawlessly at all times.   But, the issue with Kohl’s is twofold. First, as a proportion of overall revenue, lost sales are much higher than for other retailers. Second, the value being lost has increased sharply over the past five years and is still going in the wrong direction.    Stores and store experiences matter. Ultimately, they impact the top and bottom lines. That's why it's important to invest in people, places and processes. #retail #retailnews #stores #merchandising #

Our team at Nectar builds at least 50 Amazon brand stores a year, and these are the top-3 mistakes we see brands make 1. Site map is too complex Too many brands have a convoluted site map They make it really hard for consumers to find the products they want Having a complex site map serves one purpose: making you feel good aobut how you organize your catalog It doesn't further the path to purchase 2. They don't properly merchandise their homepage and subpages The brand store is a website, not a catalog The brand store is for shoppers that are in the middle and bottom of funnel You need to mix strategic product placement with education and some categories to help consumers buy, not browse endlessly 3. No design elements on the subpages Brands will invest in optimizing the homepage and then not do any work on the subpages That's silly It's like if you were to build a house and only painted the exterior It would lead to a disappointing experience once people walk inside Same is true for a brand store We see other mistakes as well, but these are the top-3 mistakes If you're struggling with your store or other content, don't hesitate to reach out to us #amazonvendor #amazonsellers #amazonadvertising

The most valuable real estate on earth isn't in Manhattan or Monaco. It's inside an Apple Store generating $5,500+ per square foot. 💍 That's 2x Tiffany & Co 🧘♀️ 5x Lululemon 🛍️ 17x regular retail Here’s exactly how they hack your brain to get you to buy. 1) Everything touchable = Endowment Effect Their entire store is designed to get products in your hands. Research shows physical touch creates psychological ownership feelings that drive purchase decisions. Fun fact: every laptop screen is positioned at exactly 76° to force you to adjust (and touch) them. 2) Spatial engineering triggers social instincts The glass walls and staircases aren’t just for aesthetics. We're hardwired to watch other people, so Apple creates stores where you can observe others moving through the store, which subconsciously pull you deeper in. 3) The power of human faces: Human brains process faces before anything else. Apple deliberately positions faces on displays because neuroscience shows no other visual pattern grabs attention faster. 4) Identity transformation over basic employee training: Apple doesn't have "employees,” they have "Geniuses.” This is identity engineering at work. Psychological research confirms when people adopt role-identities they fully embody their characteristics. 5) Their Geniuses use the A.P.P.L.E service system: 🍎 Approach with personalized welcome 🍎 Probe politely to understand needs 🍎 Present solutions to take home today 🍎 Listen for concerns 🍎 End with invitation to return 6) Zero commission leads to more trust: The Geniuses focus on emotional bonds rather than transactions. Their objection handling uses the "Three Fs" method: "I understand how you FEEL... I FELT the same way... I FOUND that the value exceeds the cost." 7) The minimal store layout is intentional: Minimalist design isn't just aesthetics…it's Jony Ive's "simplicity theory" where less creates more desire and higher perceived value. 8) Eliminating psychological friction points: No checkout lines mean no moments to reconsider purchases. Their mobile payment removes the final psychological barrier between desire and acquisition, which is brilliant. 9) Tribal psychology drives loyalty: Apple cultivated the "underdog against the world" identity early on and created a shared belief systems. It's not just products, it's engineered social identity that defines how customers see themselves. Most businesses obsess over product features. Meanwhile, Apple obsesses over neuroscience and marketing psychology. If you're not applying these principles in your business, your competition thanks you for your ignorance. Follow me (Maxwell Finn) for daily marketing news, case studies, strategies and insights. P.S. Comment "Brain Hacks" for a free sheet with 81 of the most powerful cognitive biases (like the ones Apple uses) you can start using in your marketing today to increase sales!

Will Nitze shared on X a really cool new CPG metric: GRABBABILITY 👇 Grabbability refers to the number of sellable units a shopper can comfortably grab with one hand. This seemingly simple metric can drive higher sales, especially for impulse items. Chomps, with its long, skinny form factor, exemplifies high grabbability. Shoppers can easily grab 7-8 CHOMPS sticks in one hand, compared to just 1-2 Clif Bars, even though both are priced at $1.99 each. The ease of grabbing multiple units can directly impact the amount of product a shopper adds to their cart. Because of their higher grabability, more units of CHOMPS end up in shoppers' carts compared to Clif Bars, increasing overall sales volume. This is critical to maximizing sales in competitive retail environments. → Designing for Grabbability Packaging design plays a crucial role in enhancing a product’s grabbability. Products designed for easy handling and stacking can encourage bulk purchases. Consider redesigning product packaging to make it slimmer or easier to handle. For example, single-serve snack packs or beverage bottles with ergonomic grips can significantly improve grabability and therefore sales. → Merchandising Strategies Effective merchandising setups that enhance grabbability can drive impulse purchases. Placement and display are key factors in leveraging this metric. Arrange products in grab-friendly displays, such as bins or easy-access shelves at checkout areas. Highlight products that shoppers can quickly grab in multiples to encourage last-minute additions to their carts. 🤔 How have you incorporated grabability into your product designs or merchandising strategies, and what results have you seen? Does this apply to other industries as well?

Ever walked into Walmart and noticed those prime endcaps packed with products? They’re not there by accident. Brands fight for that space because it drives massive visibility and sales. But securing an endcap is just the first step—how you execute determines your success. First, why do products land on an endcap? 🛒 Store Promotions – Think Back-to-School, Baby Days, Spring Cleaning. Timing is everything. 🆕 New Item Launch – Whether it’s an emerging brand, DTC expanding into retail, or an exclusive new flavor, endcaps introduce shoppers to fresh options. 📍 Local Assortments – Regional products, local sports team merch, and event-driven selections create community connections. 🎯 Seasonal Must-Haves – Holidays, flu season, sun care—timely products drive impulse buys. 💰 Clearance Deals – Endcaps help retailers move inventory faster by making markdowns easy to find. Once You’re On the Endcap—Now What? Design matters. A well-planned endcap isn’t just about stacking products—it’s about maximizing sales based on shopper behavior. Clearance items? Go for bulk and visibility. The “stack it high, let it fly” strategy works best. New product or category launch? Less product, more storytelling. Use graphics, messaging, and design to educate shoppers while keeping restock easy. Pre-loaded displays? Many endcaps now arrive fully assembled—just remove the shroud and drop it on the fixture. It’s efficient and ensures brand consistency across stores. The best endcaps don’t just showcase products—they drive action. Does your brand have a merchandising strategy? #Retail #Walmart #Endcaps #ShopperMarketing #RetailDisplays #CPG Bay Cities is a full-service designer and manufacturer of packaging and in-store displays. This includes in-house design and structural engineering, manufacturing, packout fulfillment, logistics, and distribution to retailers.

Apple's Retail Revolution: Creating Living Ecosystems Beyond the Screen In Cupertino, California, a visionary design team at Apple is quietly transforming retail fundamentals. Apple Stores are evolving from simple purchase points into immersive environments where technology, sustainability, and human-centric design merge seamlessly. The Visual Merchandising Special Projects team leads this transformation, creating experiences that blur the lines between physical and digital realms. The Store as an Immersive Experience When you enter an Apple Store, augmented reality allows you to visualize products in your own space—like seeing a HomePod Mini on your kitchen counter or testing a MacBook's camera in a virtual environment. These aren't mere sales tactics but emotional journeys. The team develops AR/VR installations that transform products into interactive narratives, using AI to personalize experiences for each visitor. Narrative-Driven Environments Static product displays are giving way to dynamic, thematic zones: - Health Havens where Apple Watch wearables track real-time metrics during Fitness+ demonstrations - Smart Home Labs showcasing seamless HomeKit integration, illustrating how devices work together in daily life Culturally Resonant Pop-Ups Apple reimagines pop-up spaces as R&D laboratories reflecting local culture while maintaining brand identity—from anime-themed Apple Pencil workshops in Tokyo to collaborations with Parisian artists. These temporary installations create culturally relevant experiences showcasing Apple's creative ecosystem. Invisible Technology Behind the scenes, cutting-edge systems power the retail experience: - Ultra-wideband sensors guiding customers with precision - Machine learning optimizing layouts based on foot traffic patterns - Gesture-controlled interfaces creating intuitive interactions The Larger Impact Apple's approach extends beyond selling products to crafting experiences that embody possibility. By transforming stores into adaptive ecosystems, Apple establishes new standards for building emotional connections in the digital age. As physical retail faces e-commerce competition, Apple positions its stores as living laboratories where technology, sustainability, and human empathy converge. While competitors might replicate aesthetic elements, duplicating this holistic experience presents a formidable challenge. Next time you visit an Apple Store, observe the details—the minimalist table functioning as a power hub, the display offering a personalized experience, each element contributing to a cohesive system designed to transform technology into a deeply human experience. This might be Apple's most significant design achievement yet.

In today's competitive retail landscape, merely having a good product isn't enough to attract and keep customers coming back. Enter the world of interactive and engaging environments—spaces that captivate, entertain, and enchant. One of the shining examples of this approach is the Disney Store. Imagine walking into a store where every corner tells a story, where children can step into the shoes of their favorite characters, and where the magic of Disney comes to life right before your eyes. This isn't just shopping; it's an experience that creates lasting memories for families. Let's dive into how the Disney Store does it and what valuable lessons other businesses can take away from their magical approach. The Disney Store Experience Walking into a Disney Store is like stepping into a world of wonder and enchantment. The store’s signature blue pathway guides customers through various themed sections, each brimming with interactive elements that captivate the imagination. • Interactive Princess Castles: In the dress-up area, children can immerse themselves in the world of their favorite princesses. The interactive castles allow kids to play and imagine they are part of a fairy tale, creating a memorable shopping experience. • Disney Movies and Projection Mapping: Large screens play beloved Disney movies, keeping both children and adults entertained. The store goes further by incorporating projection mapping on the trees and walls, adding a dynamic layer of pixie dust and enchantment that enhances the overall ambiance. Lessons for Other Companies • Creating a Story Disney’s success lies in its ability to tell a story. Each section of the store transports customers to different parts of the Disney universe. Companies can create a narrative that resonates with their brand through themed decorations, interactive displays, or engaging visuals. • Interactive Elements Interactive elements are key to engaging customers. The Disney Store’s interactive castles and projection mapping entertain and invite participation. Businesses can use interactive displays, touchscreens, or augmented reality to create a hands-on experience. • Entertainment and Atmosphere The combination of visual and auditory elements keeps customers entertained and engaged. Playing relevant videos or music, and using lighting to create a specific mood, can enhance a store's atmosphere. The Disney Store is a prime example of how an interactive and engaging environment can attract and retain customers. By creating a magical experience through storytelling, interactive elements, and an entertaining atmosphere, Disney has set a high standard in retail. Other companies can learn from this by applying these concepts to create their own captivating customer experiences. Let’s connect, dream and create together! Justyn@storylandstudios.com PlainJoe Storyland Studios #storytelling #disney

An average shopper makes 30–40 buying decisions in a 43-minute grocery trip! Marketers dream of attracting "high-intent buyers." But grocery stores? They get them every single day. And if you think consumers are making random decisions, you'd be wrong. It’s careful orchestration based on deep consumer psychology. And I’ll tell you exactly how: - Aisle Design = Intentional Psychology Ever noticed why essentials like milk and bread are always at the far end of the store? It’s intentional. It’s called the “treasure hunt effect.” You’re subtly encouraged to explore, not just grab and leave. - Promotions Are Triggers Endcaps aren’t random either. Brands pay heavily to be placed there because it’s the highest-traffic, highest-conversion zone. The visual break catches your attention, gives your brain a quick dopamine hit, and makes it easier to say yes to an impulse purchase. - Product Placement = Storytelling Kids’ cereals are placed at kids’ eye level. Luxury chocolates are placed where adults naturally pause longer. Products are grouped not just by category but by mental association, soups near crackers, sauces near pastas. It’s subconscious storytelling: "If you’re buying this... You probably want that too." - Emotions Sell More Than Rationality Price matters, but comfort, nostalgia, and trust often matter more. Old brands, familiar packaging, and "Mom’s Choice" labels trigger quicker decisions. So the lesson for the day is: If you really want to master consumer behaviour, don’t just study e-commerce funnels. Spend an hour quietly observing people in a grocery store. You’ll learn more about attention, influence, and buying psychology than any marketing course can teach you. . . . #grocery #lesson