'Space planning' - the Retail Touchstone http://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/30/2909/space-planning-the-retail-touchstone1.asp
Apparel retailing is a mature and extremely competitive arena which has to deal with demanding, diverse and wellinformed consumers. Retailers require a proper understanding of the consumers psychology, and play their cards right. Attracting shoppers and converting potential clientele into long term and loyal customers depends upon how the retailer is able to portray his merchandise, and the quality of his customer service. Therefore, it is more important for a retailer to make optimum utilization of the space available in his store so as to create an appealing in store arrangement. Space allocation tools are available that enables retailers to determine the optimum space for fixtures, and merchandise based on the analysis of product placement, usage and performance. Space allotment is done hierarchically with both top and bottom views of performance. The traditional space planning process is altered meeting with the localized needs of the customers. Retailers should move away from developing prototype store layouts, as no two stores look alike. They should maintain store specific plans by tapping into the knowledge of their stores.
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