Retail designers
A retail designer (also referred to as a visual marketing specialist or merchandising designer) ensures that a store's merchandising plan fits the space available in a profitable way. Retail and visual merchandisers are specialists in determining the needs of the store's clients. They will catch the consumer's eye and create new desires along the way. All of this can be done by someone with a keen eye who does a lot of research.
Visual merchandisers create the lure to get customers into the store. This often starts with the window displays. Mannequins and lighting designs can help to draw in customers. Once inside, customers should see products arranged in a logical fashion so they can easily make their way around the store.
Showcases should be strategically placed to guide customers deeper and deeper into the store. Impulse buy displays should finish out the design. They are generally located in areas where customers will be passing once they've decided to leave the store. Near the register and near the door are good places to make that last ditch effort in selling a few more items.
For small retail spaces, the design team may suggest using the walls to maximise possible display areas. Gridwalls and slatwalls can help to display merchandise in small areas. These displays face the merchandise outward, so it can be more easily seen, even from outside the store.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.
A brief run down of changes intentions from April in an onwards.
Reslating an ancient water mill
A rare opportunity to record, study and repair early vernacular roofs.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2025/26
Construction apprentice from Lincoln Mia Owen wins this years title.
Insulation solutions with less waste for a circular economy
Rob Firman, Technical and Specification Manager, Polyfoam XPS explains.
Recycled waste plastic in construction
Hierarchy, prevention to disposal, plastic types and approaches.
UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard V1 published
Free-to-access technical standard to enable robust proof of a decarbonising built environment.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Why talking about prostate cancer matters in construction.
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch up for free, subscribe and share with your network.
The Association of Consultant Architects recap
A reintroduction and recap of ACA President; Patrick Inglis' Autumn update.
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.






















