Enticing Shoppers with a Refreshed Look

The holidays are over and the lights are beginning to dim, but that doesn't mean the drab days of winter need to give your store a lackluster appearance. Adding shine to your store offers a fresh start to the new year and can create a dazzling appeal for shoppers searching to escape from short, pale days. There is no need to wait for spring to spruce up your physical space. Now is the time to set your store in bloom with these buds of retail wisdom that can keep your shop shining bright: Get buff. Snow can be beautiful glistening on treetops or carpeting a hill. When it is tracked into a store, however, the result is usually a muddy mess. After the crush of holiday shoppers has subsided, residue from winter elements can stain floors. Buffing and re-polishing dirty floors can have them gleaming again in no time. Use aromatherapy. It is no secret that many retail establishments use fragrance to draw customers. Whether it is the scent of cinnamon from fresh-baked buns or vanilla candles, shoppers can find it difficult to resist the inviting allure of a fresh aromatic trail leading them into a shop. The best part of using scent marketing is that you don't need to sell food or fragrance to attract customers. Simply using cleaning products that contain an orange or mango essence can broadcast an alluring space that shoppers find irresistible. Clear the air. Winter seems to constantly spawn an endless population of dust bunnies. Whether it is windows, displays, vents, shelves or merchandise, a dust-free environment projects a pretty compelling freshness that can be energizing. Dusting off light bulbs can throw some happy beams of light on both product and mood. Replacing burned out bulbs with new ones can also promote a happier state of mind. Remove spots. Doors, handles, switchplates, counters, trays, fixtures, walls and surfaces of all types are notorious spot magnets. Similarly, adhesives and tape can leave unappealing marks. Erasing spots, smudges and grime adds radiance that can motivate customers to linger, making it more likely that your registers won't be left hungry. Look up. Like their dust bunny cousins, cobwebs have a way of growing in corners, ceiling vents and fixtures, and on shelving and merchandise. Sweeping away these unsightly strands offers your customers an appealing space and reinforces confidence and trust in your brand. Out with the old. Whether it is cluttered drawers, biology experiments in the company refrigerator, or damaged, old inventory, now is the time to ruthlessly discard unnecessary items hogging valuable space. Additionally, replacing worn rugs, mats and carpet helps to freshen space and convey prosperity. Curb appeal. A sparkling front door, shining windows and a swept entrance are practically irresistible. A little attention each day to the face of your business creates a compelling invitation to walk through your door. These tasks can be tedious, time consuming and, yes, daunting. Focus on the payoff: creating an alluring space to attract customers who will enjoy their shopping experience and make you their trusted brand. To prevent feeling overwhelmed, just remind yourself that you don't eat a seven course meal in one bite. Giving yourself permission to take small bites out of the project each day can help ease the scope of the job and perhaps even make it a bit more pleasant.