Shoppers are moving so effortlessly among channels that it will soon become a futile exercise to pinpoint the share of online sales in total retail revenue.

How to Design a Department Store Interior that Encourages More Purchases

In the 21st century, traditional department store selling is taking a back seat to omni-channel shopping, which is here to stay. As consumers continue to create their own unique shopping journeys, retailers must evolve to keep pace. In fact, shoppers are moving so fluidly between online and in-store experiences that soon, tracking the share of online sales in total retail revenue will be relevant only to the accounting department—not to buyers, senior executives, or stockholders.

To thrive in this ever-changing landscape, global retailers must adopt key strategies.

Connecting with Shoppers on Their Path to Purchase

The priority isn't just selling; it’s about engaging with consumers at every stage of their shopping journey, offering a seamless and enticing experience. By curating a wide range of brands and experiences, retailers can create a department store environment that keeps customers engaged and encourages them to explore more.

When designing a store, the goal is to make shopping an exciting adventure. This means integrating as many brands and interactive experiences as possible. Architectural excellence, stunning lighting, and visually captivating merchandising displays are at the heart of this approach. It's not just about selling products—it's about creating an experience that infuses creativity and design to drive consumer interest.

Enhancing the Shopping Experience with Dining and Leisure

A critical aspect of department store reinvention is the integration of cafes and restaurants. Imagine placing a world-class restaurant or café, along with a quality food offering, on the top floor of the department store. This not only enhances the shopping experience but also draws people through the building, turning the department store into a premier destination for dining and leisure—one that competes with the best restaurants and entertainment venues in town.

For us, designing a department store is about making it as dynamic and appealing as the top art galleries, restaurants, and entertainment venues. We consider the psychology of the shopper, carefully planning the product layout on each floor and making the customer journey as intuitive and enjoyable as possible.

Benchmarking the Best in Class

We continuously benchmark leading department store operations around the world. On recent trips to Bangkok, Turkey, and the UAE, our brand team explored the latest department stores and shopping malls, capturing the innovations in luxury fashion brands and food and beverage outlets at EmQuartier Mall in Bangkok, Akasya Mall in Istanbul, and Dubai Mall in the UAE.

Why not reach out to discuss how we can help with your retail formats, digital branding, and social media strategy?