For many entrepreneurs, store expansion upgrades are a part of the logical progression toward long-term business growth.
There are also manifold benefits that come with relocating to a larger space, such as increased capacity,
enhanced visibility, and the chance to attract more customers.
Moreover, this transition provides an ideal moment to implement key upgrades and improvements that
can inspire better business performance. Consider it the right time for a store owner like you to optimize
operations, enhance your current customer experience, and position your business toward better
prospects in new markets.
If you’re expanding your store to a bigger location soon, here are some of the upgrades you should
prioritize to maximize the benefits of having more space:
1) Store Layout and Design
One of the first upgrades to prioritize when expanding to a bigger location is the store layout and design.
A larger space offers you the opportunity to create a more spacious and aesthetically pleasing
environment that enhances the overall shopping experience for customers.
Consider investing in professional design services to optimize the store’s layout, improve traffic flow,
and maximize the use of available space. A successfully designed layout will lead to a more inviting
atmosphere and make it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for, thus contributing to
increased sales and heightened customer satisfaction and excitement to visit your store.
2) Technology and Point-of-Sale Systems
Technology infrastructure upgrades, particularly those involving point-of-sale (POS) systems, are highly
necessary for streamlining operations and improving efficiency in a bigger location. Modern POS
systems offer advanced features such as all-in-one inventory management, customer relationship
management (CRM), and integrated payment options, which will make them indispensable for higher
transaction volumes and busier store hours.
Since you have a much bigger space now, how about acquiring portable card payment terminals like
Maya Business’s Maya Terminal and Maya Terminal Lite? These devices can accept all forms of digital
payments and process cashless transactions made using credit and debit cards, QR Ph codes, and e-
wallet apps. Since these payment devices can work untethered, they can also be brought closer to
where your customers are so that you can offer them more convenient and interactive shopping
experiences.
3) Inventory Management Systems
With a larger space comes the need for more sophisticated inventory management systems to
effectively track and manage stock levels. Investing in dedicated inventory management software will
help you optimize your store’s inventory levels, reduce stockouts, and minimize excess inventory.
Ultimately, these can all improve your store’s profitability and allow you to quickly recoup the cost of
the store expansion upgrades or move.
Make sure to look for a system that offers real-time inventory tracking, automated replenishment, and
analytics capabilities, as these will help you roll out more data-driven decisions and optimize your
inventory performance.
4) Visual Merchandising and Displays
Your visual merchandising and displays are both essential towards creating an engaging and memorable
shopping experience in a bigger location. When you move into a bigger shop space, invest in high-quality
display fixtures, lighting, and signage to showcase products more effectively and attract customers’
attention.
You could also take it up a notch from the displays you previously used in your old store location and
incorporate interactive elements or digital displays. These will create a dynamic and immersive
environment that will captivate customers and encourage them to explore your space further.
5) Customer Amenities
With a bigger space, perhaps you’ll have more room for amenities that can enhance customer comfort
and convenience. Better customer amenities will improve the overall shopping experience as well as
make it more accessible, which for your customers will seem worth the move and their visit to your new
location.
Invest in comfortable seating areas, cleaner restrooms with more fixtures, and charging stations to make
customers feel welcome to stay. You should also keep high standards of cleanliness and observe regular
maintenance schedules for the sake of your customers’ hygiene and comfort.
6) Staff Training and Development
You’ll also want to invest in staff training and development so that your employees are equipped with
the knowledge and skills to deliver exceptional customer service and effectively manage operations in a
bigger location.
Provide comprehensive training on product knowledge, customer service best practices, and operational
procedures in the new location to empower staff to meet and exceed your customers’ expectations. Aim
to keep the same standard of service as the one you observed in your old store location, if not higher.
7) Marketing and Branding
Lastly, make it a point to increase brand visibility and motivate old customers to visit your new location,
especially if you’ve moved to a new address. Invest in marketing initiatives such as signage, traditional
media and social media advertising, and promotional events to generate awareness and drive foot
traffic to the store.
You can use digital marketing channels such as social media and email marketing to your advantage to
reach a broader audience and engage your customers effectively. Also focus on your branding efforts to
be consistent with the change in your business—essentially communicating to customers that you’ve
expanded your space, improved your product offerings, and raised the standard of service in your new
store to accommodate them even better.
The abovementioned store expansion upgrades should reflect your current aspirations to grow your business and take
your customers on exciting new journeys in your new space. Make these upgrades a priority, and you’ll
enjoy growth that may not have been possible in an older, smaller, and less equipped location.
