Imagine a busy shopping centre for a moment. What’s the first thing that comes to mind? Maybe you picture a bustling food court with the smells of fried mall fare; perhaps you see “50% off” signs outside several stores.
It’s unlikely that you’ll think of several public benches rounding each corner, providing a safe and secure spot to sit and have a break. But did you know that benches actually have a positive impact on shoppers' behaviour? It’s true!
This goes for shopping districts, outdoor malls, bustling urban centres, and more. These unassuming pieces of vital street furniture play an essential role in improving shopper behaviour and enhancing the overall shopping experience.
Having accessible site furniture such as benches allows your patrons to rest, spend more time in the space, further enjoy the atmosphere, and enhance the overall visual appeal.
Classic Displays, your expert in site furniture and holiday decor, will show you just how public benches shape shopper behaviour.
You know what drags down a shopping experience? Tired legs and feet. Not only that, but benches serve multiple purposes outside of just being a convenient place to sit:
Comfort & Rest: Offers a place to rest, aiding the elderly, parents, and those with mobility challenges.
Enhanced Experience: Encourages longer visits by providing convenient breaks and waiting areas.
Social Interaction: Serves as meeting points and fosters conversations between shoppers.
Aesthetic Appeal: Enhances ambiance and complements mall design.
Practicality: Allows for multitasking, like checking bags or taking calls.
Retail Support: Extends shopping duration and increases foot traffic.
Specialized Use: Supports parents, remote workers, and emergency seating needs.
When you have a multi-use piece of furniture that supports the shoppers during their experience, they are more likely to spend additional time in the shopping space.
According to a study conducted by Path Intelligence, for each 1% increase in average dwelling time, there is a corresponding 1.3% increase in sales. This means that not only do your shoppers gain a more restful shopping experience, but retailers benefit by earning more as they spend more time in the space.
Who benefits from having access to public benches?
The Elderly & People with Physical Limitations: Accessible public benches allow those who need regular breaks. These benches also allow for those with physical limitations to get up and down safely.
New Mothers & Parents: New mums need a comfortable place to feed their babies, while parents need a safe, secure spot to rest with their tots.
Tourists & Newcomers: Tourists and newcomers getting to know the local shopping centres are going to need a comfortable place to rest while they explore the retail wares.
Anyone Else Who Needs a Break: Everyone’s feet hurt, so do their legs, and everyone needs a comfy place to sit and have a scroll through their phone.
Check out Classic Displays' Accessible Midtown Bench.
Having accessible furniture designed to help shoppers relax, these spaces can prevent their clientele from tiring them out, giving them more opportunities to explore other stores! More exploration equals more opportunities to find products worth purchasing.
Try to imagine a big family on a summer shopping trip. They’ve been on their feet for a couple of hours, carrying shopping bags and diaper totes, and pushing strollers while trying to dole out snacks for their fussing kids. Everyone is getting tired, but they haven’t had the chance to get everything they hoped for. If they can’t take a break soon, they may throw in the towel and just go home.
But then, they round the corner and see some well-placed benches with plenty of seating. The family is able to sit down, have a rest, sip some water, and finish some snacks. Mom and Dad can feed the baby and take turns having bathroom breaks. Before long, they’re back on their feet to complete their shopping trip. In fact, they even have the energy to check out a new shop and find some stellar deals! It’s a win-win for everyone.
Knowing that a shopping centre or district has designed its space to have plenty of accessible rest stops reassures shoppers that they care. Not only this, but benches are actually quite stylish – not just practical. You may not immediately think of a public bench and assume: “Ah, yes, a wonderful, decorative touch to my space”. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Benches come in many styles, materials, and colours, and Classic Displays has multiple designs to choose from. We even have themed benches, such as our rainbow pride benches.
Having an aesthetic and functional resting space in your shopping centre or district can have a significant impact on buyer perception. According to MarketingWeek, a survey of 1000 female shoppers (41%) ranked store ambiance as more influential to their experience than the location, staff friendliness, and service.
By having a stylish and well-maintained shopping space, shoppers will feel more invited and comfortable. Establishing a welcoming environment encourages people to spend more time in that space, leading to more foot traffic and higher sales overall.
Not only this – benches provide opportunities for socialization! While, yes, lots of people prefer to just go into the shop and get what they need, plenty of people love having the opportunity to mingle with fellow shoppers. These benches can be places where friends can gather, parents can relax with their kids and other parents or simply take a moment to people-watch and chitchat with goers by.
Everyone loves feeling like spaces are designed with them in mind. So, having accessible, stylish public benches can greatly enhance your shopping space.
If you make sure your benches are strategically placed, you can really improve the shopping experience exponentially. How? We’re glad you asked.
Benches need to be placed strategically for several reasons:
Accessibility: Long stretches of walkways without an accessible place to rest could deter the elderly and those with physical limitations from visiting your location.
Ideal Placement: Having benches outside of major stores gives visitors the opportunity to look around and consider going inside. Not only that, if a store is popular, it’s likely fellow patrons will need a place to rest after visiting.
Landmarks: Visible seating can be a clear indicator that a rest stop or food court is nearby, helping curious or lost patrons find their way around.
Idle Stops: Not every member of your shopping party is going to want to go into every single store, and fewer will want to stand around inside a store if it’s crowded. Providing a comfortable place to sit away from the main action gives everyone an option.
By being strategic about where you place your benches, you can greatly influence shopper behaviour. Whether you choose to create a quiet rest stop perfect for tired parents or place benches near high traffic areas (entrances, food courts, fountains), you can actually help control the flow of traffic throughout the area.
If benches are located off the beaten path or tucked away in obscure areas, they aren’t going to be used for their intended purpose. This can deter shoppers from lingering and taking their time, missing out on potential impulse purchases. This means local shops are going to lose out on additional sales that could have been bolstered by some carefully placed seating options.
Also, it could be beneficial to have outdoor benches, too. Especially if your shopping district is outdoors. This provides ample opportunity for passersby to sit outside of stores and stalls and contemplate making a purchase. Not only this, but outdoor benches also provide a good spot for people to wait for their rides or enjoy outdoor attractions/amenities.
Want more decor to add to your outdoor space? Check out some of our planters and flags and outdoor banners.
You may think that providing a rest spot to give shoppers some downtime could actually decrease impulse purchases... but we disagree. Having the time to linger in a comfortable space surrounded by stores actually creates the perfect environment for impulse purchases.
Picture for a moment a shopper taking a break outside of a high-traffic area. Suddenly, the wafting scent of the food court catches their attention. It’s time to refuel with some food!
After some food, they’ve recharged and noticed a sale sign in a shop they haven’t visited yet but have been meaning to check out. They toss out their trash in a nearby trash/recycling bin and walk into the new store. Reinvigorated, they end up buying a few extra impulse items for themselves, their friends, family, etc.
The restaurant/kiosk and store benefit, and so does the shopper! They get some tasty food and extra items while the retailers make some sales. All with the help of a trusty public bench.
Our Urban Flare Bench is a great option for a shopping centre or district.
Want to make your shoppers’ experience stylish, accessible, and comfortable? Look no further than Classic Displays. Our expert team can match you with the right site furniture to make your shopping experience the best you can have. Contact us today.
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