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Things To Consider When Searching For The Right Business Premises

Posted on by Nova Blogger

For any business, finding the right premises can be challenging. Business premises are one of the biggest expenses for a business, so it is important to find the right one at the right price, in the right location. It can often take longer than you think and you might need to look at many places before finding the right one, but it is usually worth it.

Here are a few tips to help with the process:

 

Decide On What You Need

Do you want to buy or lease? Both have their pro’s and con’s, it depends on your situation. If you are just starting up, it may be wise to lease somewhere until your business has proved its-self, before making the commitment to buying a property. However if you are an already established business looking to grow, then buying a premises could be a long term investment.

Which ever you decide on you will still need to workout what you need, based on a combination on both your businesses current and future plans. A few things to consider are: what size of premises, what layout, and the length of time you require the property if you are renting. Your location of choice will depend on your business type, and you may need to be near your customers if your business requires it.

Set a Budget

The most important thing here, is to make sure you can afford which ever premises you are interested in. Look at your business financials to get an idea of how much you can afford to spend, and do some research about the various costs you are likely to incur. For example there are costs to get the premises such as deposits, equipment, furnishing, renovations, moving, and any professional fees. Then there are also costs to run the premises on a monthly basis such as rents, heating, insurance, business rates etc. Once you have a realistic idea of your budget and the costs, then you can start the process of looking for your ideal premises.

Get Professional Help

Now it’s time to get professional help for your search. You need to make sure you seek professional advice before agreeing any terms, signing any paper work or paying any deposits so you don’t make any mistakes. Your accountant would be able to double check your budget to see if it is affordable.

Commercial property leases can be complicated and so there is a good chance you will require a commercial property lawyer. Also you will need a commercial property agent to find a list of vacant premises for you to look at.

Start Searching

At this stage it is important to try an see as many properties as you can. It may help to make up a schedule so you know in advance when you have to view properties. Setting up a checklist can be a great way to compare the properties you see, so you can make a better decision about which is best.

The list could contain all the elements that are important for your business. You can then score each property you see based on your criteria. At the end of your search, the ones with the highest scores can be put on a shortlist for further consideration.

Purchase The Premises or Sign The Lease

Once you have found your ideal premises, one that fits all your requirements and meets your budget, then it’s time to sign agreements and hand over deposits. Your professional advisers will help to guide you through each step of the completion process. After all that is done then it’s time to renovate, move into your new premises and carry on with business as usual.

 

9 Steps For Starting Up A Bricklaying Business

Posted on by Nova Blogger

Running your own bricklaying business will provide you the opportunity to be your own boss and set your own hours, but there are a few things you’ll need to get your business on the right track to success from the start.

Here are 9 steps to help you launch your business:

 

Step 1: Create a business plan

Writing a business plan will help you determine your business goals and the resources you need in order to meet those goals. The process of writing a plan will also give you a chance to see if your idea is feasible or not. Your plan will act as a working document for your business, as well as a tool for getting any required finance.


Step 2: Get the right training and qualifications

Once you decide that your idea is feasible, the next step is to get qualified. If you have no formal training in the construction industry, then you should consider taking one of the many accredited bricklaying courses that are available. It would also be a good idea to find some kind of temporary or part-time bricklaying work so as to practice your skills. If on the other hand you have experience in the industry, then put together a list of your current skills/experience and determine what additional training and qualifications you need to get.


Step 3: Get the necessary finance

With your business plan written, you can now begin the process of looking for money to fund your start-up. Check to see if there are any available government funded schemes that offer financial assistance to your industry. It is also worth approaching your bank and the many alternative lending providers including crowd funders.


Step 4: Find a suitable business location

You now have to decide where you will operate your business from. With a bricklaying business you will need a suitable place, because you will have equipment and materials to store. You may choose to work from home to begin with, in which case you should set-up a designated area for that. However if you decide that you want to work from away from your home, it is best to look for a location that is easily accessible, so that potential customers will be able to reach you.


Step 5: Register your business

Now it is time to decide whether to operate as a sole trader or a limited company. Both have their pro’s and con’s. It is easier to set up as a sole trader, but a limited liability company will offer more legal protection. If you decide to incorporate, then you have to choose a name and register it with Companies House so no one else can use that name. Regardless of which structure you choose, you have to notify HMRC of your decision, so you can apply for the necessary tax/ national insurance documents before you begin.


Step 6: Get equipped

It is time to equip your business with any tools you need to perform your bricklaying tasks. This will also involve choosing a vehicle to transport you and your kit. Depending on your finances you may decide to buy these items outright or to lease them until your business grows. If you already have equipment, then this is the time to get them cleaned and serviced.


Step 7: Apply for licenses and permits

You need to contact your local council in order to find out what licenses and permits are legally required for you to operate as a bricklayer. This is also a great time to join any relevant trade associations.


Step 8: Get Insured

This is one of the most important steps that you must complete. In bricklaying as in many construction related jobs, accidents can and will happen. Therefore it is essential that you protect yourself, and your business from any legal action that may follow. To begin with you would need some type of public liability insurance coverage, this is is great for things like customer and staff injuries as well as any mistakes or damage to your customers properties. Then you need some form of coverage for your all equipment including vehicles if you have them to protect them for loss, damage or theft. Finally you may want to consider some form of income protection so you are covered in times when you are unable to work due to personal illness or other unforeseen events.

Step 9: Promote your business

Once you are financially and legally ready to start operations, you focus should now be on getting customers. A great way to do so is by having an online presence via a company website. This will make it easy for potential customers to find out about your business and the services you offer. Couple this with the many social media channels and you can reach a large audience of potential customers quickly. Offline you can take out ads in local papers and business directories. It is also worth networking with other tradesmen, to find out if there is any work you can do together.

Once you have completed all these steps, you will be ready to launch you new bricklaying business, knowing that you are adequately prepared for the journey ahead.

 

 

2 Easy Ways To Get More Referrals For Your Business

Posted on by Nova Blogger

 

Referrals can be one of the best ways to grow a business without having to spend much. In some cases they won’t cost you anything at all. With this low cost source of potential revenue at their disposal, it’s a wonder as to why more businesses aren’t making use of referrals. It may be because many businesses feel uncomfortable asking for them, but the trick is knowing how and when to ask for referrals so that you don’t come across as being pushy or annoying.

Here are two easy ways to get more referrals for your business right away:

 

Existing Clients

You can start by asking for referrals only from your regular clients that are already happy with your service or product. You already have a source of referrals, and they are your existing customers. Treat your existing customers well, give them an experience they can’t forget, and they will talk about your business. There is nothing like happy customers advertising for your business. The word of mouth from a client to a friend or family member is a very effective marketing tool

By creating some kind of loyalty reward program you can stay in touch with your customers and be able to send them thank you and birthday/ Christmas/ gift cards or weekly discount vouchers. This way they become a part of your community, a relationship develops as you learn more about them and how to help them solve their problem, and they learn more about your business.

You can leverage technology to help with this. By using tools like social media or a blog you can continue to build that customer relationship by offering them free solutions and ideas to solve any related problems they might have.

 

New Clients

Make a habit of new asking customers for feedback and reviews on how your product or service has helped them, and keep score. Don’t be afraid to ask them what you need to do in order for them to consider telling someone else about your business.

When new customers buy from you can also send them a thank you email in which you could include a discount gift code. That’s to say you appreciate them for choosing your product or service from the variety of choices they had. You might also consider giving potential customers a free trial of your product or service so as to generate a potential referral.

When you ask your customers for referrals, make sure the process is quick and easy. You should show them how to do it and give them a choice as to how they would like to refer you. For example you can let them know they can also give testimonials as a form of review/referral.

The aim is to create a continuous funnel of customers going through your referral program at all times. Each customer may be at a different stage of their journey with your business, so the programme has to be customised to each customer depending on where they are.

Don’t be afraid to ask them what you need to do in order for them to consider telling someone else about your business. Make it a habit to ask customers for feedback and reviews on how your product or service has helped them, and don’t forget to keep score.

 

In summary in order to increase the number of referral your business gets, it may be worth setting up a formal referral program for both new and existing customers. This would also involve training all relevant staff so that they are aware of how to deal with referrals when they occur.

 

 

Making The Switch From A Sole Trader To A Limited Company

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You can choose to change your businesses status from sole trader to limited company at any time. Both formats have their pros and cons, the best choice will depend on a combination of your current situation and future plans. However there may be an optimal time to make the switch and that is when the benefits of being a limited company outweigh those of begin a sole trader.

So when might this be? Well here are a few possible situations in which it might be the right time to make the switch, but it is important to make sure you calculate the potential benefits and savings first before making the switch.

You may decide its time to make the switch if:

Your salary is increasing:

As a sole trader you have only one way to take your salary, and that is as a salary, plus you must pay both income tax and national insurance contributions on it. A company director on the other hand can choose to take their wages by a combination of salary and dividends. Dividends are free from national insurance contributions. So as a company director you can reduce your taxes by taking a small salary and the rest from dividends, making it a more tax efficient way.

You are looking for investment:

If you are looking for investors, then setting up as a limited company means that you can sell shares to investors. Also there is the added perception that a company has more credibility than an individual, and so many companies prefer only to do business with a limited company. Due to this, potential investors are likely to be more open to investing in a limited company as opposed to a sole trader.

You are concerned about liability protection:

As a sole trader you and your business are considered one and its debts are yours, so if your company fails then you are liable for it’s debts. A limited company on the other hand is legally a separate entity from its owners, and so if your company is fails then your personal assets are not at risk, because as a share holder you are not liable for its debts.

Your company profits start to grow:

When you are trading as a sole trader, you are taxed via the annual self assessment system and you and your business are considered one entity. A company, however is taxed via the corporation tax system. There are some potential tax savings that can be made by switching to a limited company.

For example, for the 2016 -2017 tax year, as a sole trader your tax free allowance is £11,000, you the pay 20% tax on any amount between £11000 and £43,000, after which you are taxed a higher rate of 40%. However for a limited company, the annual small profits tax rate is currently 20% on any amount up to £300,000. So switching to a limited company may be more tax efficient because even though it is taxed at the same tax rate, it has a much higher maximum amount.

You want to protect your intellectual property:

By registering your company name with companies house, you prevent any other person or business from using the name, it is now protected by law. However as a sole trader you don’t have this protection, and so it can be a lot harder to protect your name.

So there are some scenarios in which you might consider changing from a sole trader to a limited company, because to do so will result in some form of savings and other tangible benefits. If you do make the decision to switch, you then need to notify the HMRC that you are becoming a limited company, and then de-register as self employed. From there it is a simple process of registering your business with Companies House and then you can start trading as a limited company.

 

 

 

Top Tips For Dealing With Customer Complaints

Posted on by Nova Blogger

 

In business having a customer complaint is a common experience, because you can’t please everybody all the time. Regardless of how hard you try, there will be mistakes or you may be faced with a customer who just likes to complain. Depending on how it is managed every customer complaint can end in one of two ways, you will either get an angry customer, or a happy customer. The aim is to minimise the number of complaints and to ensure that the same complaint does not keep happening repeatedly.

What is important is that companies acknowledge these complaints and make sure they are dealt with in a timely and effective manner. Failing to do so may result in a bad reputation for the business, as it shows the customer you don’t care. All businesses must place customer satisfaction first and develop a system for handling customer complaints, in order for long term success.

It is a good idea to set up an in house complaints procedure that can be quickly implemented anytime a complaint is received, and the staff dealing with customers should be properly trained. Make sure that proper records are kept of all customer complaints and their final solutions. Also, with social media becoming increasingly important for unhappy customers to voice their dissatisfaction, it is a good idea to monitor your social channels regularly so you can intervene quickly. Here are some useful tips for dealing with unhappy customers.

Handling The Complaint In A Neutral Way

The first step is to take the complaint in a neutral way. When people complain they are often emotionally charged up, so it is important to let them voice their complaint without responding emotionally. You must remain calm at all times even if the customer becomes angry. You may have a had a similar complaint before, but to the customer it is unique to them, so pay attention to them and listen to their problem in full. Try to place yourself in their shoes and empathise rather than becoming defensive. If the customer is blaming a particular member of staff, get them away from the customer, because it will be easier for the customer to calm down if they aren’t present. Make sure the appropriate staff member handles the complaint because customers hate being passed around from person to person.

Giving An Apology

The next step is to apologise. Once the customer has aired their complaint, you must give them a sincere apology regardless of your opinion on the matter, with no excuses. Let them know you understand what has happened and ask them what outcome they are seeking. Try to keep them informed as you tackle the issue, so they don’t feel ignored. All complaints regardless of how small, should be dealt with quickly as possible so the customer feels that they are a priority.

Resolving The Problem

The final step is to resolve the problem, this can come in many forms ranging from refunds to compensation. After resolving the issue it is a good idea to contact the customer at a later date to see if they were happy with the outcome.

Sometimes it is not possible to avoid customer complaints, but it is possible to prevent a disgruntled customer from spreading negative comments about your business, by handling the complaint properly.

By taking care of complaints effectively you can improve your company reputation while at the same time retaining your customers. Customers will know that if anything goes wrong with their order, you will take care of it. This will make your business stand out as a customer friendly one, which may in turn lead to referrals from happy customers.

For a business, complaints can provide a great opportunity to learn more about your customer, and to use that information to improve their customer experience. You also have the chance to turn the complaining customer into a loyal customer. Dealing with customer complaints can be challenging, and there will be times that nothing can be done to satisfy an unhappy customer.

 

 

What Are The Allowable Business Expenses For The Self Employed?

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Every year the majority of self employed people in the UK are required to file a self assessment tax return. For those that do it online, the submission deadline is January the 31st each year and the 31st of October for those that file paper returns. Here is a look at the subject of business expenses and how they are included in annual returns.

What are allowable business expenses?

They are defined as costs that are incurred “wholly and exclusively” for the purposes of the business.

Who is entitled to claim them?

Any one who is registered as self employed with HMRC. Theses expenses can be written off against any income you earn in the tax year, thereby reducing the final amount of tax you pay.

What can you claim for?

Not all expenses are allowed, you can’t claim for personal expenses, and there are some business expenses that you can’t claim for. It is very important to separate business expenses from personal ones, and if there is something you use for both, you can only claim for the business use.

For example if you work from home you can claim for costs such as heating, electricity, council tax, mortgage interest, rent, internet & phone. However you have to calculate them, based on how much time you spend working at home and how much space you use when you are working. Then you have to figure out what proportion of your total house costs they account for.

Here are some of the business costs that you can claim as tax deductible expenses:

  • The cost of goods that you are going to sell or use in providing a service.

  • If you are in the construction industry, you can claim payments to subcontractors.

  • Staff costs such as wages, salaries and any other staff costs.

  • Travel cost including car, public transport, taxi’s and other travel expenses.

  • Premises costs such as rent, rates, power and insurance.

  • Office costs such as phone, fax, stationery and other office costs.

  • Advertising and business entertainment costs such as websites, social media.

  • Finance costs such as interest on bank and other business loans, bank and credit card charges.

  • Professional fees such as accounting, legal and other professional fees.

Here are some of the costs you cannot claim as tax deductible expenses:

  • The cost of goods or materials bought for private use.

  • Your own wages, drawings, pension payments, national insurance contributions.

  • The costs of buying, improving or altering premises.

  • Cost for entertaining clients, suppliers and customers.

  • Repayment of the loans or overdrafts, or other finance arrangements.

  • The costs of buying premises for your business.

  • Any payments to clubs, charities, political parties and so on.

How and when can you claim them?

When you complete your annual self assessment tax return, you are required inform the HMRC of your deductible expenses for the accounting period in question. This is when you make your claim.

If you are self employed, you have to keep records of your business income and expenses for your tax return, so throughout the tax year you should keep all your receipts. It can also be very helpful to record them as they occur in some form of bookkeeping / accounting software, or on a simple spreadsheet. This will save a lot of time and make your final calculations easier when it comes time to file your annual taxes.

If however you don’t want to work out your actual costs, you can use the simplified expenses table provided by the HMRC for that tax year. It has flat rates for expenses like like vehicles, working from home, or living on your business premises. Also you can check out the HMRC’s site for other tools and calculators to help with you self assessment submission.

 

 

Getting Started In The Window Cleaning Business

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The window cleaning business is an attractive sector to consider when thinking of setting up a business. It is a popular micro business choice because it can be started and operated as a one person operation, which you can then grow as you get more business. The start up costs are relatively low, and so too are the overheads. There is usually a constant demand all year round for the service, which means there is the potential to earn a steady living throughout the year. Also there is also plenty of scope for growth, you can start as domestic cleaner and then move onto commercial accounts once you have developed your brand.

However you must make sure that you enjoy working outdoors as it can be tough when the weather is not very nice. You also need to be reasonably fit, as as the job requires a lot of physical activity. Once you decide it is suitable for you, then the first step is to do some market research to identify the areas of demand, the competition, and any gaps in the market that you could potentially fill.

Research 

Next you need to decide if you want to go it alone or join an existing franchise. If you decide to go it alone then you must choose whether to set up your business structure as a sole trader or limited company, as they both have pro’s and cons.

Having done your research and found an area to operate in, now comes the process of getting your business ready to operate. This means getting the necessary equipment, training and licenses. The federation of window cleaners and the British window cleaning association, run courses which should equip you with the necessary skills to begin your journey.

Equipment 

You could start with a bucket a squeegee and a ladder, but due to the risks associated with working from heights, it is better to invest in a window cleaning pole system that allows you to work safely from the ground without a ladder. Also you will need to have a vehicle to carry your equipment and travel to customers. The majority of the equipment you need can be leased to begin with so as to keep your start-up costs down, then as your business grows you can buy whatever equipment you feel is necessary.

Trade Associations 

After you have the necessary equipment, you should join the relevant trade associations and ensure that you comply with any current government regulations that apply to your industry. Then you must get the relevant insurance, especially public and employer liability insurance.

Marketing 

Next comes the process marketing your business in order to get your customers. A website can help promote your brand, so too can the use of the various social media channels. If you are targeting a particular area then it may be a good idea to take out adverts in the local papers, as well as to do a door to door leafleting campaign.

Decide how your customers will pay – will it be cash after the job, or on a monthly subscription where they pay up front for the month? Set your prices to include all your costs and a reasonable profit margin. It is best to compete on quality of service as opposed to just price, as word of mouth from satisfied customers will bring in more business.

Organising Your Rounds 

Once you are up and running, you need to organise your rounds. You must keep some form of customer diary and database to help you keep on top of things. You can use software specifically designed for the window cleaning business, or you can develop your own system using a simple spreadsheet program.

Make sure you prioritise you customer rounds based on the size of the job and the time it takes to get to the site, try not to book too much work for each day, and leave space in your day for unforeseen things. Remember to treat your customers well, and your window cleaning business should thrive.

Four Steps To Launch Your Own Landscaping Business

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In today’s busy world, there will always be homeowners and companies who don’t have the time or expertise to manage their landscapes. Currently the UK landscaping industry employs about 60,000 people with an annual turnover of around £3 billion and it is growing, so starting your own landscaping business can be a rewarding journey. There are a few ways into the industry, you can buy an existing business with clients, or you can buy a franchise of an established brand name, or you can set your own up. With so many potential services to offer from basic garden maintenance to advance landscape design, it should be possible to find a niche.

Here are four quick steps to help you launch your own landscaping business.

  • Do Some Research: 

You need to get to know the landscaping industry in order to find out if any opportunities exist. So it is advisable to spend some time carrying out research both online and offline. You can use the internet to find out about current trends in the horticultural and landscaping industry. Do a detailed analysis of the various market segments and the types of landscaping services that can be offered. Then you want to carry out some offline market research to determine your potential target area, what is available in your target area, what is lacking, and whether there is a need for the service you plan to offer.

It’s then time to write a business plan. This will help check the viability of your idea, focus your research efforts, and later it can serve as a working document for your business. It will allow you to define your target customer, which will make your marketing campaign more effective. Writing a business plan will also help you to define your goals, so you are clear as to where you want the business to go. Once that is done, then its time to move on to step 2.

  • Get Some Funds:

All new ventures require some for of start-up capital. You would have an idea from your business plan how much this is. Now you have to decide whether or not you are going to raise the capital yourself or borrow it. If you decide to raise it yourself, you may want to start saving monthly towards it or getting extra work to pay for it. However if you decide it is best to borrow it, then once your business plan is finalised, it would be a good idea to contact your local business start-up agency to find out what type of finance is available and how to apply. Then it is on to step 3.

  • Prepare For Launch:

Once you have the money, it is time to choose a business structure and name, then start the launch process. A great way to stay organised during this time is to put together a start-up checklist that includes all the necessary steps you must take, then tick them off as you complete each step. Brush up on skills and qualifications, and join any relevant trade organisations to get industry contacts. Make sure you get the necessary insurance, permits and licenses as well as health and safety certificates, that you need to operate legally.

You need to decide whether it is best to buy or lease equipment. It might be a good idea to lease equipment to being with, and then buy when business picks up. Choose equipment that will help you get work done quicker and better, for example, investing in professional property measuring equipment so you can offer personalised price quotes to potential customers. Go for low maintenance equipment as this will save you money later, you can ask other established landscapers for their recommendations on specific brands.

Have a website / blog made to showcase your work and for online booking and enquiries. At the same time get your business logo, business cards and promotional items made so they can be to be given out to potential customers. Advertise in online directories and use social media channels to engage with potential customers in your area, and don’t forget to set up an email marketing system so you can inform customers of any promotional offers.

Then its on to step 4, the final step.

  • Launch:

It is time to open for business. Spread the word, and shift your focus to the day to day running of a business. This includes all the necessary admin, accounting and marketing tasks. Try to brush up on basic accounting skills for doing your bookkeeping, and inter-personal skills to help you communicate better with potential and existing customers. Finally, make sure you define the scope of intended work and set up contracts to include agreed work and payment terms for each job.

Strategies To Grow Your Window Cleaning Business

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For many successful businesses the decision to grow is one that they will face at some point. Having proved that your idea works, you now have to decide if it is time to do more of what’s working or not. There are many reason to grow a business, these range from the desire to increase profits to the desire to sell the business at a later stage. How you actually go about the process will depend on your reason. Here are a few well established strategies for growing your existing window cleaning business.

 

  1. Make use of existing customers

There are 2 ways to do this. The first is by asking your current customers for referrals in return for a discount. There is nothing better than word of mouth advertising, it is a great way to increase your client base without much effort or cost.

The second is by offering improved and new services to your existing customers. Ask existing customers for feedback on how you could provide a better service for them, and then by making use of technology or better equipment you could make the required changes. You could try changing your pricing structure, to persuade one-off users to become repeat users of your service, by offering them some form of bundle discount. Also you could contact former customers who have not used your service for a while and try to get back.

 

  1. Get new customers

Although this may require some expenditure, finding new customers is another tried and tested strategy for growing a business. There are many options when it comes to finding new clients, but it is wise to start with the lowest risk strategies. For example if your primary customer base consists of just private clients, then you may decide to target the corporate market by approaching a few companies in your area to offer them your services. Then there is the option of partnering with another business in a related field, for example partnering with gardeners or painters. This will be mutually beneficial as you can have access to each others customer bases, and you can offer them your services.

You could also use the internet to find new customers and it won’t cost you much to advertise and promote your window cleaning business. If you don’t already have one, then put up a website to showcase your business and the services you offer. Then get your business and website listed in the relevant trade directories in your area. You need to join the various social networks and forums so as to interact with your potential audience.

 

  1. Develop a product

One way to grow your business is to develop a product that solves a problem or fills a need for your market. It requires plenty of market research to define a niche and produce a product development plan. Nowadays, the manufacturing of these products can be outsourced to contract manufacturers, so you don’t need your own production unit. This makes it easy to go from idea to product in a short period of time.

Another alternative is to become an affiliate or distributor for someone else’s product. You would sell their product for a commission, and they fulfil and dispatch the order from their warehouses. This means you wont need to buy any inventory or store any goods, and so involves less risk than making your own product.

 

Growing a window cleaning business can be a very rewarding process, higher profits and a larger market share are often the result. However to be successful, it requires a combination of timing, funding and plenty of planning. It is important that the growth is well managed, so that it does not reduce the profit margins and increase risk for your existing business.

Planning Your Grocery Store Layout

Posted on by Nova Blogger

 

It is important to understand the needs of your potential customers when planning a grocery store.

By doing so you can make good plans that will result in better customer experience and increased sales.

  • Difference Between a Grocery Store and Convenience Store

While the two are similar in the the products they offer there are still some key differences between the two. For example grocery stores offer perishable items like meat and fresh produce, but convenience stores don’t. They tend to stock just the basics food items that are commonly used such as soft drinks, and prepared foods. Also a convenience store may sell petrol, offer money transfers, and other administrative services. As far as size goes, grocery stores tend to be larger and owned by national brands. Convenience stores on the other hand tend to be smaller and independently owned.

Choosing your floor plan

The floor plan is the foundation of a stores layout, it provides the base structure for organising everything else.

  • Types of floor plans

There are several types of floor plans available to any retail store. The straight floor plan use fixtures and displays placed at right angles and the angle plan use a lot of curves in both the fixtures and the displays. The diagonal floor plan places the fittings and fixtures diagonally, and the geometric floor plan places them in a geometric in shape. The mixed floor plan is a combination of diagonal and angular layouts.

  • Deciding on Your Size and Placement of Aisles

Having spacious aisles is one of the key aspects of store planning. The minimum recommended size is 4 foot wide without distractions so your customers can move comfortably around the store without bumping into each other, including those with wheel chairs and push chairs.

The placement of the aisle is important as this will dictate the flow of your customer traffic within the store. The aisles need to be placed in such a way that they expose your customers to most of the products. So you need to work out where you want your customers to go and what you want them to see.

Once you know this, it is then a case of choosing the type of isle layout that matches your objectives, bearing in mind the available space and the floor plan. There are 3 common layouts to choose from, these are the grid layout, the loop layout, and the free-flow layout.

The grid layout runs parallel and perpendicular to walls. The loop layout consists of one main isle that loops around the store. The free-flow layout is open plan.

Display and Sales

  • Mapping out your product, displays, and registers

A good way to start is by walking through the store so as to see it from a customers perspective. It will then be easier to figure out where to put what. Place new products in the best locations and everyday favourites near the back. You can keep some small items near the cash register. Fixtures and displays should emphasize the product and should be adequately spaced apart with cash registers placed away from the front of the store.

Your Store Lighting

  • Types of lighting

There a 4 types of lighting that can be used in a grocery store. There is general lighting for whole store, ask lighting for the work areas, accent lighting for specific areas of the store, and finally decorative lighting to beautify your store. All types must be used, however the most important are the task lighting and accent lighting, because they highlight your product and illuminate your work areas.

  • Setting Up Your Grocery Store Lighting

There are a few key point to take into consideration when setting up your store lighting: Make sure to factor in replacement and energy costs. Then use mirrors to reflect light and dimmer switches to control the atmosphere while reducing energy bills. Most of all the lights must not be in the customers way as it may get too hot.

Conclusion

In summary, planning a grocery store requires a lot of attention to detail. However the results are worth it for you and your customers. Also while the store layout is important, so is the way the shelves are stocked, as this has just as much of an impact on the shoppers buying habits.

 

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