How to Create The Perfect Retail Store Layout | Like Sew

Contrary to popular belief, online shopping doesn’t reign supreme. 

In fact, brick-and-mortar stores still account for about 85% of total retail sales. From connecting with knowledgeable staff to interacting with a physical product, many consumers enjoy stepping into a store — and your retail store layout plays an important role in this experience.

Your quilt shop layout directly impacts your customer's product choices and, if done right, increases the chance they’ll make a purchase — this means it’s important to focus on showcasing unique fabric patterns and quilt designs to catch the eye of every customer who walks in. 

In this blog, we’ll explain five tips you can use to improve your quilt retail store layout and drive more sales.

Let’s get started.

Tip #1: Create an Inviting Entrance

Your quilt shop's entrance is where you make your first impression, so you need to make this space inviting and exciting — your customers are creative and may be looking for inspiration or guidance on their next project. Here are some simple yet effective ideas to improve your entryway:

• Showcase your best quilts: Display a selection of your most beautiful quilts and fabric swatches at the entrance. This adds color and serves as an immediate showcase of what your quilt shop offers.
• Create an inviting atmosphere: Create an area near the entrance where customers can admire the creative projects displayed. Provide a comfortable seating area and display some quilting books or magazines.
• Highlight new arrivals: Build a display of new fabrics or seasonal collections at the entrance. This is a great way to encourage customers to explore all you have to offer.
• Maintain cleanliness and order: Make sure your entrance is clear and clutter-free. A well-maintained entrance reflects the quality and care you put into your business.

Your entryway not only draws customers in, but sets the tone for their shopping journey. Your quilt shop fosters their creativity, while offering the fabric and supplies they need to finish their quilting projects. 

Remember: Your customers' first impression of your business starts with your entrance.

Tip #2: Simplify Checkout

Checkout should be a simple process for you and your customers, and this area should have enough space and be manageable for you to check out customers quickly. Here are some tips to simplify your checkout process:

• Be strategic with placement: Position your checkout station in a location that naturally fits the flow of your quilt shop, like near your fabric cutting station. This ensures customers can easily find their way to checkout after they’ve received their fabric cuts.
• Use a quilt-specific point of sale (POS) system: Choose a POS system that caters to your industry’s needs, allowing for quick transactions, easy inventory tracking, and fractional yard measurements to efficiently handle fabric and quilting sales.
• Incorporate additional products at checkout: Place quilting notions, small tools, or fabric bundles near the checkout for last-minute add-ons. These items can inspire new projects or complete ongoing ones.
• Personalize the experience: Keep the checkout process personable. Share a quilting tip or ask about a project to make your customers feel valued and appreciated.

Simplifying your checkout process not only makes transactions smoother, but improves the overall customer experience. Focus on your customers throughout the checkout process in order to create relationships and repeat visits.

Tip #3: Organize Fabrics for Easy Access

Fabrics should be organized and easily accessible for customers — a seamless shopping experience starts with this. Customers should be able to easily find everything they need in a quilt shop. Consider some of these strategies when organizing your fabric:

• Optimize fabric arrangement: Sort fabrics by color, theme, or designer to make it easy for customers to find exactly what they need. Use clear labels or signage for each section to improve visibility and navigation.
• Utilize functional displays: Implement shelving and racks to showcase fabrics that are visually appealing. Fabrics should be easily accessible, so customers can see and touch fabric samples easily.
• Maximize accessibility: Ensure that all fabric displays are within reach and organized neatly. Avoid overstuffed shelves by keeping fabric bolts tidy and well spaced.

Increase your customer satisfaction and simplify the shopping experience by organizing your fabric. An organized quilt store with easily accessible fabric and materials makes it easy to create a standout customer experience.

Related Read: How To Store Fabric: 5 Industry Tips and Tricks

Tip #4: Streamline Fabric Inventory Management

You need effective inventory management to make sure your business runs smoothly and stays stocked. Proper organization helps you keep track of your supplies and meet customer demands efficiently. Here are some tips to streamline your quilt shop’s inventory management:

• Implement an inventory system: Use a simple inventory tracking system that meets your needs. Keep records updated to easily monitor fabric quantities, patterns, and other quilting supplies.
• Check inventory regularly: Schedule routine inventory audits to ensure your records match actual stock levels. This helps you identify discrepancies early and make informed decisions about restocking, preventing shortages or excesses.
• Organize by categories: Arrange inventory by categories like fabric types, colors, or designers. This organization not only helps with tracking, but makes it easier to locate items quickly when restocking shelves or fulfilling customer requests.

Streamlining your inventory management ensures that you’re always prepared to efficiently and accurately meet customer needs. By maintaining organized and up-to-date records, you improve your shop's reliability and customer satisfaction.

Related Read: Fabric Inventory Management: 4 Tips & Software Tools

Tip #5: Build Community Connections

The quilting and fabric community is a tight-knit community — to be successful, you need to build community connections in your quilt shop. Your retail store layout should help you create these connections with your customers. Here are some ways to build meaningful connections with your quilting community:

• Host quilting events: Organize workshops and classes to engage with customers and share skills. These events provide opportunities for quilters to connect with each other and your store.
• Create a community space: Dedicate an area in your quilt shop for a bulletin board where customers can post about local quilting events, meetings, or charity projects. This space becomes a hub for local community information.
• Engage on social media: Use social media platforms to share quilting tips, showcase customer projects, and announce events. Encourage customers to share their creations and experiences on these platforms.

Community connections are important for customers’ shopping experience and helps you create better relationships with your customers. This customer interaction and engagement helps your quilt shop become a community that quilters love to visit.

Related Read: How To Host Sewing Workshops in Your Store: 8 Steps

Leverage Your Retail Store Layout With Like Sew

By implementing these five tips, you can create a retail store layout that not only attracts customers, but enhances their shopping experience. From crafting a welcoming entrance to streamlining inventory management, each aspect is important to boost customer satisfaction and drive sales. An organized and inviting quilt shop helps customers find inspiration and the materials they need for their projects.

As you focus on building community connections and refining your store layout, consider how Like Sew can support your business. Like Sew is a POS system specifically designed for quilt stores, offering a comprehensive suite of features tailored to meet your unique needs:

• Simplify your transactions with an efficient POS system that handles fractional yard measurements and integrates seamlessly with your inventory.
• Keep your stock organized and up to date with powerful inventory tracking capabilities, helping you avoid shortages and excesses.
• Strengthen community ties with customer engagement platforms that facilitate hosting events, managing relationships, and promoting your shop through social media.

Like Sew has all the features and tools you need to take your quilt shop to the next level — and by implementing the ideas covered in this blog, you can create a retail store layout that meets your business needs. 

Ready to learn more about how Like Sew can support your quilt shop’s operations? Schedule a demo today!