When you create a comfortable and welcoming retail environment, you should have everyone in mind. For retailers, prioritizing accessibility can make your business reach new heights in a more meaningful way. This blog discusses why accessibility is so important in retail and how to make all of your customers feel valued. Read on!
Catering to a Broader Customer Base
Having your store be accessible to everyone doesn’t only make your retail space feel more welcoming. It also opens the doors to a broader customer base. People with disabilities and older people have a hard time getting into stores, and if they can’t physically be able to get in, they won’t shop. This inclusivity can increase foot traffic, potentially resulting in more sales. Think about incorporating wheelchair ramps, accessible parking, and wider aisles next time you want to upgrade your retail store to be more inclusive and accessible by design.
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Meeting Legal Requirements and Fostering Inclusivity
Of course, having your retail space accessible is a legal requirement, but there are more than just the minimum requirements you can have in your retail space. For example, some stores use a hearing loop system to help customers with hearing impairments or more accessible displays to showcase products to all consumers. One way of doing this is to offer lower shelving. You can get custom fixtures like this from S-Cube Fixtures. Not only does it improve your customer's shopping experience, but it can also reduce maintenance costs because they’re such high-quality.
How to Provide Proper Assistance
Another great way to make your store more accessible is to properly train your employees on how to create an inclusive shopping environment. This can mean they know how to help specific customers with physical or visual impairments. Your employees and store layout need to be updated on accessibility.
What is ADA Compliance in Retail?
The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law to ensure that companies, businesses, and public facilities were accessible to people with disabilities. Businesses must follow a specific process and certain requirements to maintain ADA compliance. However, it’s important to note that these requirements are minimal expectations. Retailers should think about all sorts of different ways they can upgrade their stores to be more accessible. Wider aisles, contrasting colors, specific shopping carts, and more. These are small changes that can have a significant impact on being accessible.
Summary
Having your store accessible is not just because it’s a compliance issue; it’s also a strategic business move. Being more accessible can attract more customers and give you a competitive advantage. Looking into accessible design ideas like wider aisles, lower shelves, custom shopping carts, and more can increase sales, create a more welcoming environment, and ultimately build a positive brand reputation. For any custom fixtures or displays you’d need to make your store more inclusive, check out S-Cube Fixtures today. We have everything you need to enhance your customer’s shopping experience. Let's make retail spaces better for all!
