A Shop Front Design – the physical representation of your brand and the first impression a customer will get of you – has the difficult task of attracting, engaging and seducing passers-by. Whether on a street dominated by large chains, or in an historic market town with a wealth of independent retailers, the right shopfront design will set you apart.

The basics – colour, signage and windows – are important, but it’s the details that make or break a shop front. For example, a traditional fascia can add a sense of history to a modern building or create an inviting contrast with a shop window display. Likewise, a well-placed awning can help to give a sense of place and encourage customers to linger.

Shop Front Design Mistakes to Avoid: What Not to Do

When a shopfront’s elements are in discord, they can become distracting or overwhelming. Trying to fit too many products into the windows, for example, can look cluttered and visually overwhelming. It’s also important that all of the different shopfront design elements match to create a cohesive brand experience for your customers so that they can easily tell what type of store they’re in and what you’ll offer them once they walk inside.

There are often restrictions on redesigning shop fronts in historical areas, where the character of a street should be preserved. This means that any new features need to be carefully designed to ensure they are in keeping with the existing architecture. This can include the style of signage, lighting and lettering, particularly in historic towns.