Via chat media | December 6, 2021 | 0 comments

I see how many auto parts stores have very simple storefronts, which always surprises me. Of course, you are not selling fashionable clothes or fancy sports equipment. But having an attractive storefront is as important as any other retailer — and in many ways, it can actually generate similar returns.

Your storefront basically represents you to the world. A clean, well-designed, well-lit, and attractive storefront shows that you are a professional and you care about running a high-quality business. It makes customers believe that you believe in your products and your company, and you know what you are doing. Like all first impressions, it can be very powerful.

Lay the foundation first, let's start from the foundation. Take a look at the look of your store as a whole. It should be clean and spotless, clean windows regularly, flush wooden products and decorations with hoses, and walls free of dirt and dust. (This may be a job you may delegate to junior staff.) Any damage, such as broken plaster or peeling concrete, should be repaired. Regularly repaint the appearance of the store (if it is a brick house, repaint the wood).

The parking lot is also an important part of your appearance. The divider should be redrawn and easy to see. Make sure that the area is safe and easy to navigate, and there is enough space for the car to back up without worrying about each other (or pedestrians) hitting each other. Maintain good maintenance and repair any potholes in a timely manner. Plow the ground as soon as possible after it snows, and keep the sidewalk level and free of icing.

I tell my customers that they work hard to find you; in return, you can at least make a logo that is not only large and easy to identify, but also hospitable and looks professional. The best logo right now is a large, bright LED light that clearly displays your name and brand. Depending on the nature of your location, place a second large sign at the entrance of your driveway to indicate where people turn to your parking lot.

A good sign is not just your company name, but maybe your address. Consider adding points that list what you are carrying-e.g. car parts, industrial/commercial, marine, farms, etc. (e.g. in rural areas, unless you advertise on a sign, they may not even know that you are carrying farm parts .)

If there is space, you can also add one or two major brands that you represent. For example, if you are an authorized distributor of ACDelco, please speak up! It instinctively inspires confidence that if ACDelco thinks you are trustworthy enough to represent their brand, then customers can also trust you. In addition, even if your company name is unfamiliar, using a familiar brand on your sign will automatically make you look more familiar.

The level of sophistication of the window displays depends on many factors, but it is worth spending some time to make them eye-catching and informative.

If you have a standard front display window large enough to create an independent display, this is a great way to promote specials, large visual impact items (such as compressors or small motors), or even seasonal displays or automotive themed episodes. Just because auto parts are not necessarily as visually appealing as some other retail products, it doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun and dress up for display. Add props or plywood boxes of different heights, paint them in company colors, and use them as simple display stands.

Even if you don’t have a traditional front window, there are other ways to attract people’s attention to your store. Not long ago, we designed a store in Vaughan, Ontario, where the entrance is only a few steps away from the street. There is a large metal shelf on the wall where the new entrance will be installed. Instead of removing all the metal shelves, I decided to open up a space on the shelf to install a new entrance. Then, we painted the remaining metal shelves in bright colors and used it as the main display area on the front of the store. The metal railings above and around the stairs leading to the entrance are painted with similar eye-catching colors, and the area in front of them is used to display large items such as snowplow equipment. The monitor is changed regularly and is a good business card for the company, otherwise it is a bit hidden from sight.

In smaller stores, you may have one or two front windows, but there is no display space behind them. In this case, the aisles and even the shelves closest to the windows can be commercialized to attract the attention of passers-by. Rearrange the shelf facing the window or the side of the cable car to create a visual effect: neat rows of products with the same packaging, or grouping a series of products into a category-anything that can create a visual "story" is very efficient.

Your storefront is actually the face your company shows to the world. Especially now, it can make a strong statement about the way your business operates—for better or for worse. And I bet that there are not many areas in your store that can generate equally good returns with a relatively modest investment of time and money.

Your email address will not be published. Required places have been marked *

Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress