Your store is your brand. The interior and exterior appearance say a lot about your business and can be the difference between a customer stopping in or driving on. With your physical image as such a deciding factor, it is worth asking, “what colors attract customers best?” Here are some retail store color ideas to consider regardless of what you sell.
The Science of Color
Color Possibilities
Red shades.
What color increases sales? Red. It is seen as the color of power and is the most utilized in marketing. Red is attention-grabbing, increases the heart rate, and creates a sense of urgency. Fiery red was named one of the colors of the year for 2022 for its sense of passion, love, and vitality. Flash sales, building exteriors, and discount racks utilize red to coax hasty spending tendencies. Even incorporating red accents into your company name or logo could grab the attention of drivers passing your store or influence how much they buy once inside. Red is a color that can work for most any retail business.
Blue shades.
Blue is a neutral, calm color in direct contrast with red. Cerulean blue, another 2022 color of the year, brings forth a sense of appeasement and tranquility. For a business more focused on being seen as relaxed, reliable, or a protector, blue complements the values you are looking to display. Department stores, hospitals, police, and vacation destinations often incorporate blues to evoke a sense of peace or safety.
Pink shades.
Pink is a powerful, bright color that commands attention. For both men and women, pink creates a sense of excitement. Associated with harmony or romance, pink is a strong color choice for retail businesses that are accessory and clothing-oriented. Pink paint is often used in perfume stores, jewelers, and outfitters. Though most effective and implemented in female-centric retailers, the science of pink positively impacts the human brain. Like red, it can command a sense of attention and urgency, but its softer tones help deliver the message more gently. It might not make customers rush to the checkout with as much urgency, but they will be more stimulated and engaged while shopping than other colors could provoke.
Green shades.
Green is inviting, peaceful, and a symbol of wealth. It can invoke feelings of open-mindedness and coerce buying behavior that deviates from things customers would typically consider. Mint green, a 2022 color, represents growth and ingenuity. Green is often associated with a good deal, enticing the buyer to try new things. Dollar stores, Starbucks, Whole Foods, incorporate green to reinforce their brand.
Orange shades.
Orange is an attention-grabbing and energized color, invoking action. The color orange “increases oxygen supply to the brain, produces an energizing effect, and stimulates brain activity.” Though too much orange can overwhelm the eyes, accents or highlights of orange can pump up your customers.
Gray shades.
Gray is best for a more neutral setting that sends comforting, modest vibes. To send serene and friendly messages of informality, introduce some gray walls to your business. Because too much gray can feel boring, adding pops of bright colors such as reds, oranges and blues help boost the mood.
Which colors appeal to who?
Who is your target audience? Different colors appeal to different people. Let’s break it down.
By gender.
While both men and women are attracted to blue, males report it more often as their favorite color. If your audience is male dominated, use more blue, green, and black, rather than brown, orange, or purple. Purple tends to be uniquely a favorite of women. If your audience is primarily women, consider purple, blue and green over brown, orange or gray. When considering a mixed-gender audience, blue and green are more universally liked.
By age group.
Children: Kids are most receptive to vibrant primary and secondary colors. Clean, solid colors are easier for them to process and tend to market better, which is why kids’ toys utilize the strategy of blocking out solid colors. Keeping it simple and vibrant engages children.
Teenagers: Teenagers are the hardest demographic to identify universally preferred colors. Teenagers tend to lean toward experimental or elaborate colors and designs, making color combinations for shop walls the most effective way to reach them. If your target audience is teenaged, consider mural or experimental designs to attract the attention of this demographic.
Adults: Adults prefer more calm and relaxed shades, contrasting with teenagers. Soft shades of green, purple and blue tend to draw in older demographics. Including lavender, plum, or cool blue-greens can help market your store to more mature customers.
Color Aside, Should I Paint My Retail Store?
A fresh coat of paint helps to protect your investment. The exterior of your business needs protection against the elements. Repainting your property can help alleviate existing issues while preventing future damage. A fresh coat protects against mold, ultraviolet rays, rot, or other structural risks. Continued upkeep can avoid costly maintenance fees or impairing structural damage. Depending on the condition and materials used, every three to five years is a good rule of thumb for repainting the exterior. For interiors, you should repaint every five to seven years, or more often depending on wear and tear.
Employees also take note of the state of your walls. According to market-research firm Clutch, 61% of employees agree that workplace aesthetics provide a pleasing environment and have become a desirable workspace trait. Paint chipping, scratches, grime, and overall wear can lead to traffic loss. Paint degrades slowly and can be easy to miss, but if your paint begins to break down, others will notice the little things you might have overlooked.
A fresh coat of paint can help circumvent foot traffic loss and communicate that you care to both employees and customers.
If it has been a while since you repainted or are considering a brand change, consider reaching out to a local painting team to do the job for you. ONiT Painting ensures you receive a high-quality product in a timeframe that works best for your business. Contact us for a quote or help finding colors that work best for you.
