Creating a Child Friendly Environment for Your Store
The day is almost over. It has been long and tiring. Business was brisk, the kind of day you love. Out of the corner of your eye, you see her hurrying towards the door. She rushes in clutching Jason's hand and Jasmine in a stroller. There's a diaper bag and purse on each arm and packages dangling from the stroller handles. Your heart drops, palms sweat, and you forget about the soft rustle of dollar bills and clinking coins. You just want to survive the next half-hour. As the kids rampage through the store, mom tries to shop. You already know the outcome, she'll give up and leave out of frustration. This scene has been repeated far too many times. There must be a better way!
Take heart, there is a better way and it begins with considering the needs of your typical customer. Your customers are usually parents and many times will shop with their children. This seems so simple, yet it is often forgotten. The successful juvenile products retailer understands the necessity of considering children in planning store space and layouts. Providing a child-friendly atmosphere increases profitability because parents will patronize businesses that cater to the unique needs of shopping with children. Parents often shop with children out of necessity. This added stress will influence the response they have to your business. Well designed space makes shopping less stressful and creates a positive impression of being in your store.
Creating a child friendly shopping environment does not mean turning your shop into a circus or allowing children to destroy merchandise and terrorize other shoppers. It does mean planning so that problems are minimized.
Parents are more likely to shop in places that are child friendly and child proof. Safety is a primary concern and should be a top priority. Shops must be free of obvious and hidden safety hazards.
Planning will give you peace of mind and added profits. Frustrated shoppers may make a beeline for the door with their children and your profits. Many times this can't be prevented but there are strategies that will make shopping with children an enjoyable and positive experience.
There are many creative and inexpensive ways to welcome them. The ideas listed are only the beginning. Challenge yourself to begin thinking of new ways to roll out the welcome mat.