Running a retail business requires careful thought, planning, and execution to remain profitable. Surprisingly, accessibility is one of the least considered aspects of a retail business other than ensuring minimum legal and regulatory compliance.
One effective way of keeping ahead of the competition is by thinking more about your store’s accessibility and improving it to generate more footfall and even become a pioneer in your industry!
Take a look at the following six powerful ways to improve your store’s accessibility and enhance the shopping experience for your customers:
1. Supersize Your Signage
It’s no secret that using large signage inside (and outside) a retail store makes it more noticeable to people.
If your store only has small writing, it’s unlikely to have the same attention-grabbing effect as more prominent signs. Also, visually-impaired people may need help understanding what you’ve written on your signage.
Ensuring your signage is prominent isn’t the only thing to consider. You should also check that your signs are free of distractions, such as graphic elements or unusual font choices.
2. Install Automatic Doors
Many people will have no issues opening and closing traditional doors. But what happens if a customer in a wheelchair, or one that uses a walking frame or sticks, attempts to enter your store? Usually, they’d need someone to assist them in getting into the premises.
Automatic doors, such as ones that open like traditional doors or slide sideways, are a simple solution and a worthwhile investment for your retail store.
3. Improve Your Parking Lot
If your retail store has a parking lot outside, investing some time and money in improving it makes sense.
For example, LED parking lot lights will help illuminate the entire parking lot when it’s dark outside, making it easy for vehicles and pedestrians to navigate the area.
Getting new concrete or asphalt laid and leveled will help people avoid trip hazards while walking toward your storefront. Lastly, freshly painted parking space lines and directions will make parking locations and instructions clear to your customers.
4. Create A Wheelchair-Friendly Entrance
Adopting automatic doors for your storefront undoubtedly helps wheelchair users easily enter and exit your premises. But is it easy enough for those people to navigate themselves toward those doors without negotiating curbs or uneven ground?
Investing in a concrete or asphalt ramp, for instance, will ensure your retail store’s entrance is wheelchair-friendly. Moreover, it’s also useful for parents and guardians with young children in strollers, and safer for all your customers..
5. Widen Your Aisles
Do you have plenty of space at your disposal inside your retail store? If so, consider making the aisles wider. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), aisles should have a minimum width of 36 inches.
It can be challenging to comply with that ADA rule in a small store, so you may need to reconfigure your layout to suit.
6. Offer Assistive Technology
Finally, offering your customers assistive technology in your store can make it more accessible. Examples include:
- Hearing loops to help customers in your store that use hearing aids hear more clearly;
- Braille signage for customers who are blind or have low vision;
- Voice-activated assistants, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, can help customers with disabilities navigate your store, find the products they need, and make purchases.
