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04/25/2023

Your retail business needs to create positive perceptions and meet customer expectations in order to drive revenue. The design and construction of your retail space can influence how target audiences view and interact with your brand, leading to more conversions and profit.

Important Shop Construction Considerations

Before starting a retail construction project, there are a few critical aspects you should consider to ensure success:

• Customer experience: The design and construction of your retail space need to account for your business’s target audience. Construction measures need to plan for accessibility, convenience and enjoyment and consider what the customer expects and needs during their shopping experience.
• Available space: The extent of construction will depend on the type of space available. Design opportunities will be different for smaller mall boutique spaces than for built-to-suit standalone buildings.
• Finances: Your budget plays an essential role in the scope of design and construction possibilities. Your timeline also factors into financial considerations.
• Branding: An effective retail space will reflect your brand image throughout every aspect of your store, from the interior to the storefront. Design and construction need to incorporate branding in every detail to promote positive perceptions.
• Legal precautions: Your projects must align with local and state building codes. Retail spaces with specific landlord rules or requests need to comply with those standards throughout the construction process.

Five Retail Construction Types

There are five main types of retail buildings and sites. Each one offers its tenants different benefits, enabling your business to meet the needs and wants of its target markets. From standalone buildings to busy malls and lifestyle centers, the various construction types give you opportunities to enjoy flexibility and customization when designing your retail space.

1. Standalone Sites

Standalone retail sites are isolated buildings with a single tenant. Various types of businesses utilize this form of construction, including:

• Big box stores
• Warehouse distribution centers
• Supermarkets
• Showrooms
• Department stores
• Specialty retail
• Convenience shops

Since these retailers stand alone, customers usually come to these locations for specific items. Stand-alone stores need to have accessible parking, a clearly defined entrance and straightforward product presentation to meet customer expectations.

These buildings may be built to suit your needs, with the design and construction based on your brand from the start. Stand-alone sites may also involve the renovation and remodeling of an existing building. Some may need a storefront or interior touch-up, while others may require extensive renovation to accommodate your business growth, new services or specific products.

2. Mixed-Use Buildings

Mixed-use retail and commercial or residential buildings are becoming increasingly popular. They promote a walkable living environment by keeping work, shopping, leisure and living within convenient distances.

Mixed-use buildings typically have retail spaces on the ground floor and offices or apartments on the upper floors. Retail businesses in these buildings need to have attractive storefronts to catch attention and draw customers inside while also accommodating those who may live or work on the floors above.

Some retail businesses use multistory buildings to accommodate several purposes, such as showroom space, offices, dining areas and conference rooms. These retailers need to incorporate their branding throughout the entire design and construction of their building to ensure each floor promotes a positive image.

3. Lifestyle Shopping Centers

This form of retail space prioritizes walkability and an immersive shopping experience. Lifestyle shopping centers focus on a town-like atmosphere by including sidewalks, ambient lighting, comfortable seating and landscaping to create a sense of cohesion and relaxation. These centers involve a variety of leisure activities in addition to retail shopping spaces. Some centers may include:

• Restaurants
• Apartments
• Theaters
• Spas
• Offices

Retail spaces within these shopping centers need to have attractive and accessible storefronts to entice shoppers to come in and buy products. You can take advantage of your business’s exterior image with this space by incorporating complementary elements inside your store, creating a unified brand image that benefits the customer experience.

Construction processes will need to optimize the available space to showcase your brand and encourage an enjoyable shopping experience. Many retail stores may need to fit into a small boutique space, while others may have several floors to design.

4. Malls

Malls house several different types of retail businesses within an enclosed space, though some malls may also involve outdoor components. These areas often include features for customer comfort and enjoyment, such as:

• Entrance areas
• Elevators and escalators
• Balcony walkways
• Seating
• Plants and water features
• Artwork

Since mall spaces incorporate these features to encourage comfort and relaxation, retail stores can focus more on their brand image and product placement to encourage shoppers to buy.

Retail space can vary widely inside a mall. Some businesses build out several luxury dining and shopping areas within their department store, providing an immersive and high-end customer experience. Other retailers may renovate boutique interiors to match their brand identity or accommodate an innovative showroom.

5. Showrooms

Showrooms allow retail businesses to display products with emphasis. Retailers can display various types of items, such as:

• Automobiles
• Furniture
• Appliances
• Carpets
• Apparel
• Jewelry
• Perfume

Showrooms highlight products and immerse customers in the brand story of the retail business. Designing and constructing a showroom helps your company craft customer journeys that convert. Customers can interact with your products and envision how their life would be better with the product, eventually buying items and building loyalty to the brand.

You can renovate a building to accommodate your showroom’s unique needs or your brand’s specific preferences. Showrooms can be built to accommodate the particular needs of your products, or they can fit into an existing space, optimizing the layout for the best customer experience.

Trust the Experts to Handle Your Retail Construction Project

JRM Construction Management takes a proactive and comprehensive approach to complete your retail construction projects on time and within budget. We can accommodate a variety of scopes and specifications, completing every process with efficiency, attention to detail and commitment to professional service.

At JRM Construction Management, your satisfaction is our main priority. View our previous retail construction projects to see our expertise in action. You can also contact us today to learn how our retail construction and design capabilities can transform your business.