How Retailers Use Graphic Design To Drive Foot Traffic

Many retail stores are feeling the impact of today’s digital age. More and more consumers are shopping online for everything from groceries to furniture to business supplies and services. Even cars can be purchased online with no need to haggle at the dealership. Ecommerce is on track to increase by an additional 17% by the year 2022. What that means for brick and mortar retailers is the need to find ways to get – and keep – the attention of their potential customers and increase foot traffic to their storefronts. Graphic design is a smart way to do both.

Retailers use graphic design, branding, and marketing to create incentives to compel consumers to come inside, help them navigate store layouts, and compel in-store purchasing. In-store purchases have the built-in benefit of instant gratification versus the forced wait time of online purchases. In-store purchases also have the ability to increase impulse purchases and product add-ons.

How can graphic design help your retail business increase foot traffic? Try these techniques:

• Create memorable signage and storefront windows. Frosted windows, colorful posters, and creative designs with your branding and logo are all good ways to make the most of retail window displays. One strategy is to incorporate compelling calls to action into these graphic design products. Another strategy is to use humor or the element of surprise to grab attention. Yet another strategy is to use decals that adhere to the pavement to literally direct footsteps into your establishment.
• Use graphic design to help make passersby aware of sales and discounts that can only be had in-store. It’s also a great way to draw awareness to no-strings-attached free samples. In addition to drawing attention to free samples, graphic design is a clever way to create From key fobs, to mouse pads to branded giveaways and decals, freebies are infamous for bringing potential clients into your store, urging them to join your mailing list, and encouraging them to share your products and services via word-of-mouth.
• Is there another business in close proximity to yours with whom you can form a strategic partnership? If each of you shares promo materials for the other, you’ll increase foot traffic at a negligible cost. Branded flyers, postcards, product tags, decals, and other small portable marketing materials emblazoned with your branding is an easy, affordable marketing option.
• Try installing a poster series that leads to your store. Start several blocks away and use a series of posters that directs the viewer to the next poster and the next until they reach your storefront. It’s a fun, interactive method of peaking consumer interest, creating a direct path to your door, then bringing consumers right into your door. Work with your graphic designer to create a chronological sign series your consumers will love.

For retailers, foot traffic – the pedestrians who walk past your business or commercial facility each day – have the potential to turn into customers quickly. When you’re ready to give your in-store sales a boost, contact the graphic design professionals at DPRINT. Using the power of graphic design to help get that foot traffic to walk through your door is our goal.