The value of visuals
Why quality retail displays matter
Whether your shop space is a large building on a retail park or a smaller unit on a trading estate, the appearance of your products is becoming increasingly necessary as we move into an age where consumers are prioritising the quality of purchases.
In research conducted by YouGov in 2024, it was found that 68% of shoppers in the UK “express a willingness to pay more for higher-quality products”. Although e-commerce and online shopping experienced a boost during and immediately following the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been seen that buyers are beginning to shift back towards in-store shopping.
The latest statistics from Mintel show that “in-store remains the dominant channel in UK retail, accounting for 71.8% of all retail sales”. This means that when either fitting out a new retail space or upgrading or updating a previously occupied shop, the quality of your product and the look of the front of house are important factors to think about.
But what does ‘quality’ look like?
Whether the product a shop is selling is from consumables to convenience to building materials, customers care about whether their money is being well spent. No matter the value of a product, research has shown that when displayed and merchandised well, the product’s perceived value and associated benefit increase significantly. As a direct result, customers are more likely to make the purchase and have added potential to continue their shopping experience outside of the original item they picked up.
Even during the cost-of-living crisis, people are choosing to move towards quality items with longer product lifetimes, which offer better value for money in the long run.
Does it really matter how your front of house looks if your products are high quality?
When merchandising your products for an in-store experience, it’s still important to make your front of house a positive place, as it can replicate and reinforce how high-quality your products are.
It’s important to note that, no matter the product, if they are often framed and merchandised to a higher standard, the perceived value to the customer is greater, improving the likelihood of purchase. When a customer walks into a store and sees a high-quality product display, they will likely put more trust in the proposition for those products.
That’s why it’s imperative for retailers to properly plan their shop displays, shelving and overall customer experience before starting any work in either fitting a new shop or upgrading an existing one. These factors can be used to enhance opinions about the product and ultimately the brand, influencing a consumer’s buying decisions beyond just the benefits.
So, how can bespoke storage and displays be used?
When it comes down to it, most shop displays are bound to look the same, or at least, very similar. You may see standard retail shelving in the majority of shops, but how can you create a more unique, personalised shopping experience for your customers?
Well, using high-quality bespoke, sometimes specialist, shelving and storage for your shop floor will make your products stand out when a customer steps inside. Seeing displays that present quality products in a way that strengthens this has more potential for customers to make a purchase with you.
That’s where we come in!
Here at Polypal UK, we’ve been at the heart of retail storage for over 45 years, so we know a thing or two about how your displays and shelving can complement and emphasise your products.
Just like in one of our recent projects with a popular DIY and home improvement retailer. In the industry, customers may see a DIY shop as somewhere that would be a quick in-and-out visit, so why bother with how the products look?
However, partnering with Polypal UK, we designed product displays that enhance the customer experience by showing the product in situ, allowing them to make a highly informed purchasing decision. Through creating a positive and higher-quality shopping environment, it heightens the shopping experience and, in turn, promotes product and brand trust and credibility in comparison to other retailers in the DIY industry.
How Polypal UK can support your business
If you’re looking to completely fit out a new shop, or simply upgrade an existing premises to heighten your retail environment and convey a more luxurious, high-quality atmosphere, we will be able to support you in creating a space that not only becomes somewhere you can showcase your products, but also adds to your operational efficiencies.
So, why not get in touch with one of our experts today to see how we can help you plan and design a fresh, more appealing shop floor?
