Before you redesign your retail store, restaurant, or business, you will need to do a little research. Indeed, you can get ideas from going around and looking at what other people have done, or going through Architectural Digest magazine. You might also peruse the trade publications. And there are several books on the topic. In fact, there is one great book that I'd like to recommend to you, the name of that book is:
"Stores of the Year - A Pictorial Report on Store Interiors" Edited by Martin M. Pegler, Retail Reporting Corporation, New York, NY, (1981), 175 pages, ISBN: 0934590-08-5.
There are sections in this book on facades and storefronts, and how you might go about designing your counters for fashion accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, or even women's shoes and sportswear. If you want to attract the younger generation there is information in this book to. If you wish to have a shop within a shop, or do some co-branding with additional counters there is a wealth of information and some very good ideas as well as some pictorials.
If you sell something such as intimate apparel ware and lingerie, there is definitely a right way and a wrong way to design a counter, and sales floor. Accentuating the undergarments in a high-class and stylish way prevents them from looking cheap, and it will help you command a higher price tag. And that just doesn't go for women's intimate apparel, but also men's sportswear, young men and boys at tire, or even close for children.
If you run a retail store which sells gourmet kitchen appliances, glass and china, or specialty gifts there is a whole section on that with many pictures. In this book you will learn how to display Linen and bath accessories, and high-end luggage. If you are a bookseller or a music seller there are interesting sections on that as well.
If you run a restaurant, fast food establishment, or coffee shop there are great design ideas in this book, great illustrations, and great retail merchandising techniques and tactics. If you are running a large department store or a small business boutique there is information for everyone. Also there are quite a few floor plans which help the reader understand how to make it all come together.
From Neiman Marcus to Nordstroms, and from a small coffee shop to a large bookstore, no matter what you are trying to do in your business, this is absolutely one book you need to have. It will give you ideas and a basic understanding of retail merchandising, interior design, and architecture. Please consider all this.
