'Retail design' is a
creative and
commercial discipline that combines and utilizes many different
design concepts together in the conceptualizing and construction of
retail space. 'Retail design' is primarily a specialized practice of
architecture and
interior design, however it also largely incorporates
interior decoration,
graphic design,
ergonomics, and
advertising.
'Retail design' is a very specialized discipline due to the heavy demands placed on
retail space. Because the primary purpose of
retail space is to
stock and
sell product to
consumers, the spaces must be designed in a way that promotes an enjoyable and hassle-free
shopping experience for the
consumer. The space must be specially-tailored to the kind of product being sold in that space; for example, a
bookstore requires many large shelving units to accommodate small products that can be arranged categorically while a
clothing store requires more open space to fully
display product.
Retail spaces, especially when they form part of a
retail chain, must also be designed to draw people into the space to
shop. The
storefront must act as a
billboard for the store, often employing large display windows that allow shoppers to see into the space and the product inside. In the case of a
retail chain, the individual spaces must be unified in their design.
See Also
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Design
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Architecture
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Interior design
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Ergonomics
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Retail
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Consumerism
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Retail chain
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Merchandising