Past & Future for Retail Store Fronts

There are three main types of store fronts you might come across: Straight front, Angled front, and Arcade front.

Straight Front: This design runs parallel to the sidewalk, street, mall, or parking lot, with just a small recess for the entrance. It's super efficient because it maximizes the interior selling space, but it can be pretty dull and not very eye-catching. Window shoppers can only see a small part of the display at a time, and reflections from the windows can make it hard to see inside. Plus, heavy foot traffic and a lack of privacy can discourage people from coming in. It’s practical but not very inviting.

Angled Front: This setup is a bit more interesting because the front of the store is positioned at an angle to the main flow of traffic. Stores using this design often place windows and entrances off-center or at one end. This angle gives window shoppers a better view of the merchandise and reduces window glare. The entrance is usually at the most recessed part to guide customers inside, offering them more protection from the elements. However, this design eats into the interior selling space. It’s a nice balance between visibility and aesthetics, but you sacrifice some space.

Arcade Front: This one features several recessed windows and entrances, which offer some great benefits. It increases the store’s frontage and display areas, provides protected spots for window-shopping, offers more privacy for shoppers, creates a relaxing atmosphere, and reduces window glare. On the downside, it takes up a lot of the interior space that could otherwise be used for selling merchandise, requires a hefty investment in construction, and needs a professional display staff to make the most of the window setups. It's a more luxurious and engaging option but comes with higher costs and complexity.

Nowadays, modern store front design has evolved to incorporate not only aesthetic appeal but also functionality, branding, and customer engagement. Here are a few contemporary trends and configurations that are popular in modern store fronts:

Transparent and Open Facades: Large glass panels and open spaces are a hallmark of modern store front design. This creates a seamless transition between the interior and exterior, inviting passersby to look inside and making the store feel more accessible. The transparency allows natural light to flood the interior, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere.

Interactive Displays: Incorporating technology such as digital screens and interactive displays in the store front is becoming increasingly popular. These displays can showcase dynamic content, promotions, and even interactive elements like touchscreens for browsing products or learning more about them. This tech-savvy approach not only attracts attention but also enhances the shopping experience.

Sustainable Materials: There is a growing trend towards using eco-friendly and sustainable materials in store front construction. Reclaimed wood, recycled metal, and energy-efficient glass are some examples. This not only reduces the environmental impact but also appeals to the increasing number of environmentally conscious consumers.

Versatile and Adaptive Spaces: Modern store fronts are designed to be versatile and adaptable. Movable partitions, modular displays, and flexible layouts allow stores to easily update their look and adapt to different seasons, promotions, or events.

Interactive and Social Media Integration: Many modern store fronts now include elements that encourage social media engagement. This could be a well-designed selfie spot, a hashtag campaign, or a digital screen displaying live social media feeds. This not only engages customers but also promotes the store through user-generated content.

Modern store front design combines aesthetics, functionality, and technology to create engaging and inviting spaces that draw customers in and reflect the brand’s identity. The key is to balance these elements to create a cohesive and attractive front that stands out in a competitive retail landscape.