Retail Design and Layouts That Will Give Your Store a Boost

Julie Starr • July 2, 2021



We all know that consumers are visual people. When they walk into a retail store or somewhere like a restaurant or bakery, then there is so much sensory information that is sent from our eyes to our brains. In fact, around 80% of the information that our brain receives is what we see. As a retailer, you need to be able to take advantage of this and make sure that you have a shopfront and retail space that is going to attract people’s attention for all of the right reasons. That is why the retail design that you choose plays a big part. If you have a physical retail store, rather than an online one, then it is so important to make sure that you take some time to look at what you have to sell, in order to make it look good and to really maximize sales conversions. 

If you aren’t sure what you can do to improve your retail space, to really draw customers in, and give retail a much-needed boost, then here are some design insights that could help. 

Create an immersive experience for shoppers

A great retail space is not just about having pristine displays and good-looking visual merchandising. It is all about using the space that you have to create an immersive experience for your shoppers. When you are planning your space, think about what the space could be used for, for something a little different. What is the overall experience that you would want your shoppers to have? If you want them to leave happy and feeling good, then what could you do to help that? Many beauty brands, such as Lush and Aesop , offer immersive shopping experiences in their stores, with testing, displays, and even some beauty treatments and mini-salons in store. 

Of course, what you’re able to do will depend on the kind of business that you have, but thinking outside the box with your design, and overall experience in-store, can make a big difference. 

Create your layout considering the store’s flow of traffic

When you are designing your retail space, then it is natural to think about putting the best sellers upfront in the store or use the most enticing displays first. In order to do this, you have to think about what route people take around the store. Is this something that you can assess, or perhaps you will create the route for them with your store layout? The good news about this is that there is a lot of research into this topic by retail experts. In many cases, the flow of traffic goes along with the vehicular flow of where you live, so this could definitely be something to consider with your layout. 

Make it a safe and secure place to be

When you have a retail space, you need to think about keeping customers safe. If you have broken concrete in the car park or out the front of the store, then this can be hazardous and something that is best to avoid. You can learn more about concrete repair and making sure that it is safe, as well as look at other aspects of your store. A door that is automatic, rather than one that needs to be opened, can help to make your store safe and accessible, as well as considerations like the temperature to make it a comfortable place to be. If someone does have a bad experience with something that is unsafe, then not only can it be costly to you, but it can also be something that impacts your reputation. 

Add breaks into the store layout

Having a range of the same kinds of fixtures or stands can be repetitive, and mean that some shoppers skip over certain items. When it all looks the same, it is going to be hard for consumers to be able to find something that they are interested in, especially if they are just there to browse. Long and uninterrupted aisles can lead to the merchandise being skipped, which isn’t going to be a good thing for your business . 

One recommendation to counter this is to create some real visual breaks in and amongst the aisles. These breaks could be signage, displays, or something else to break up the clothing (or whatever items your store sells). You can see that even grocery stores take this approach, with a lot of large signage and attention-grabbing details found at the ends of the aisles. You could also think about making the break in the merchandise be something interactive like a tablet with an online category that people can browse from, or something fun with selfies and filters (again, depending on the kind of retail business that you have). 

Create a focal point for all of your displays

It can be quite tempting to bring some attention to other things that are going on in-store, and showcase all that you have to offer. However, a tried-and-tested way of doing things is to have a focal point for your displays, ideally at eye level, to create an effective way to draw people’s attention in. From window displays to middle of the floor signage, shelving, or rails, having a focal point can be a really important thing for your sales and conversions. 

With a focal point, the displays that you have are going to have a much bigger chance to hook the attention of the shoppers. When they are hooked, then they are going to quite naturally see what else there is to see around the focal point. It really does help. 

If you have a retail store then you will know just how tough it can be to get customers through the door, let alone get them to part with their money. When you think carefully about your retail space, with the design, safety, and layout, it can make a difference to the success of your store.

Create the shopper experience with sustainability in mind

Today’s shoppers are more eco-conscious or shop with sustainability in mind. Bring to the forefront any sustainable business strategies you employ; for example, if you are in a LEED building make sure to provide signage demonstrating that, as well as, any energy savings measures you are taking. Provide eco-friendly packaging. Inform customers of your sustainable vendors. Be mindful of your shopper’s expectations around sustainability and use their feedback to improve on your green business practices.

What changes do you think you will start to make? It would be interesting to hear your thoughts.

6 Things All Modern Businesses Need in 2025

By Julie Starr • April 22, 2025
If you’re starting your own business, then you know all too well that it’s equally an exciting and overwhelming time. There’s so much to think about, and you want to get it right from day one. But it doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as you might think. Let’s go through everything your new business needs to hit the ground running this year. A Clear Business Plan Before anything else, take the time to figure out your game plan. This doesn’t need to be a long, boring document that you’ll never look at again. Think of it as a simple guide that answers three key questions: Who are you selling to? What are you offering? And how are you going to get noticed? Once you’ve written that down, you can always tweak it as your business grows. From a communications standpoint, clarity on your audience and value proposition also sets the foundation for authentic brand storytelling—something Taiga Company helps clients refine at every stage. Responsible Financial Management Money is one of those things that can make or break a business. The good news is you don’t need a finance degree to get it right. Start with a simple budget. Know how much is coming in, what’s going out, and what you’re setting aside. Think about things like stock, marketing, bills and wages if you’re hiring. Keep it realistic and keep it updated. Doing this from day one will make life much easier later. Reliable Cloud Services In 2025, storing everything on your laptop isn’t really a safe bet. Files go missing, computers break, and you don’t want to lose important stuff. That’s where cloud services come in. They keep your files secure, backed up and easy to access from anywhere. Whether it’s documents, customer info or creative work, having it all saved online gives you peace of mind. And when you're building a business in a digital-first world, having secure, accessible assets also means your team can collaborate more efficiently across channels—essential for strong communications. Flexible Payment Options Most people don’t carry cash anymore, so if you’re only accepting it, you’re going to lose sales. Get yourself a card reader that takes all the usual stuff like debit cards, credit cards, contactless and Apple Pay. The easier you make it for someone to pay you, the more likely they are to buy. Simple as that. A Basic Website Even if you’re not selling online, you still need a website. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just something that tells people who you are, what you do, and how they can contact you. Think of your site as your digital front door. If someone hears about your business, chances are they’ll look you up online. Make sure what they find actually helps them. A clear website is also one of the most powerful communication tools your business has. We work with clients to ensure their digital presence reflects their story, purpose, and value. A Way to Spread the Word You can’t rely on people just stumbling across your business. You’ve got to put yourself out there. Social media is a great start, but don’t stop there. Think email newsletters , posters in your local area or even just chatting about your work whenever it comes up naturally. The more you talk about your business, the more others will too. Starting a business in 2025 is a big move, but it doesn’t have to feel impossible. Get the basics in place, stay flexible and keep learning. With the right tools and the right message, you can build momentum and create connection. Taiga Company helps growing businesses translate operational essentials into brand trust and long-term impact.

How Outsourcing Services Can Help Your Business Advance Sustainability Goals

By Julie Starr • April 20, 2025
Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s a business imperative. From shifting customer expectations to regulatory momentum and investor pressure, today’s competitive landscape demands more than short-term cost savings. Companies are being called to demonstrate leadership by embedding sustainable practices across their value chain. For many organizations, this transformation can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. Strategic outsourcing can unlock both environmental benefits and operational efficiency—helping your company do more with less while strengthening its sustainability performance. By partnering with service providers who specialize in sustainability, you can streamline operations, reduce environmental impact, and build trust with customers, employees, and investors alike. Below are some key areas where outsourcing can support your sustainability journey. Green Energy Consulting Services Are you wondering how to lower energy consumption without impacting business performance? Green energy consultants specialize in reducing carbon footprints through practical, scalable solutions. These experts analyze your energy usage and identify opportunities like switching to renewables, upgrading to energy-saving systems, or adopting smart technologies. Outsourcing initiatives such as solar panel installation or wind-powered electricity procurement signals your organization’s long-term commitment to environmental leadership. And as with many sustainability investments, the result is not just impact—it’s also efficiency and cost savings. Framed in the right way, these actions can become powerful stories that demonstrate your company's values to customers and stakeholders. Sustainable Supply Chain Management A sustainable supply chain is essential for companies aiming to lead in today’s circular economy. Third-party logistics providers and supply chain consultants can help in auditing your supply chain to uncover inefficiencies, and recommend improvements aligned with eco-conscious goals. By outsourcing this function, you gain access to experts who help embed sustainability into procurement practices—using local materials, reducing waste, and improving freight efficiency. Many providers can also connect you with suppliers that share your environmental standards, enabling a cohesive approach to sustainable sourcing. These supply chain enhancements not only reduce emissions and waste—they also reinforce your brand’s environmental credibility across the stakeholder ecosystem. Eco-Friendly IT and Cloud Computing Running a tech-intensive business? Traditional on-site data centers are energy-intensive. Outsourcing IT infrastructure to green cloud providers can dramatically lower your environmental impact. Cloud vendors who use renewable energy for data storage and server operations offer an efficient alternative to on-premise solutions. They also reduce hardware waste and improve system performance—making them both eco-friendly and future-ready. For organizations prioritizing digital sustainability, this move can be a cornerstone of your environmental strategy—and a strong signal of innovation to your stakeholders. Sustainable Junk Removal Services Sustainable operations include responsible waste management. Outsourcing junk removal to companies that prioritize recycling and charitable donations keeps unnecessary items out of landfills and extends the life cycle of materials. These services allow businesses and individuals to declutter responsibly, supporting both environmental and community well-being. It’s a simple but visible action that can reinforce your sustainability message both internally and externally. Carbon Offsetting Services Not all emissions can be eliminated—but many can be offset. Specialized outsourcing firms help companies calculate, track, and neutralize their carbon emissions through strategic reforestation projects , renewable energy, or community resilience projects. These providers simplify the path to carbon neutrality, enabling your business to meet emissions targets without overwhelming internal resources. When shared transparently, these efforts can build credibility and show stakeholders your commitment to real climate action. Green Building and Facility Services For organizations with a physical footprint, outsourcing to green building service providers supports both environmental and business performance. Whether you're retrofitting with energy-efficient systems, reimagining interior layouts for LEED certification, or upgrading lighting and HVAC, retrofitting to eco-friendly office design supports long-term thinking. Outsourcing this expertise ensures you’re not only meeting today’s expectations—but also building for tomorrow’s workforce and market needs. Outsourced R&D for Sustainable Products Developing greener products doesn’t need to be done in-house. By outsourcing R&D to sustainability-focused experts, your company can bring innovative ideas—like biodegradable packaging or low-impact materials—to market faster. These partnerships inject creativity and specialized knowledge into your product development pipeline, helping you stay ahead of regulatory shifts and consumer demand. More importantly, they support a brand narrative rooted in innovation and responsibility. Conclusion: Aligning Profit with Purpose Sustainability isn’t just about compliance—it’s about competitiveness, resilience, and leadership. Outsourcing to sustainability-minded providers allows your business to focus on core strengths while accelerating progress toward environmental and ESG goals. From energy and IT to supply chain and product development, these partnerships offer a smart path forward—one that balances operational efficiency with lasting impact.  At its best, sustainable outsourcing isn’t a sideline strategy. It’s a meaningful part of how forward-thinking companies align profit with purpose—and demonstrate what’s possible when businesses lead with values.