To bring retail into your veterinary clinic or not?
Two architects add their perspectives to the debate.
AntonioGravante/stock.adobe.com
In the age of big box stores selling pet products and internet retailers all up in your business, you may be wondering if it's even worth dedicating precious floor space to the prospect of selling goods to your clients. We put the question of planning for retail space to HospitalDesign360 conference speakers Vicki Pollard, CVT, AIA, and Dave Gasser, AIA.
First of all, the topic of even offering retail must be addressed on a clinic-by-clinic basis. "That question really comes down to the owner's preferences," as Gasser puts it. If the situation is favorable, then how much space do you devote to products? Pollard says that while some online outlets mean to take your business, others can help by cutting down on the number of dusty boxes you have on hand.
"Therefore you can do a smaller retail area and just display one item of each of the products you're selling which can help with efficient planning in your hospital," she says.
Win-win
- Retail revelations
- Retail revolution: How to thrive (not just survive) in veterinary practice retail.
- 4 steps to revitalize your hospital retail.
- 3 steps to hack your retail area.
If you're going to commit the space and resources to a retail display, be certain the stuff isn't hidden or hard to get to.
"You want it to be in the path of travel from your lobby area toward your exam rooms, or maybe even next to your hospitality space," Pollard says.
Accessible, in a word.
With respect to the actual displays, our speakers agree on the need for shelving to be flexible and integrated with the setting. Your displays should be placed "in a way that enhances the overall feel and design of the facility and doesn't feel like an afterthought," according to Gasser. And Pollard believes that in addition, shelving should be adaptable to allow for the swapping of different products.
If you'd like to hear more from Pollard, watch the video below.
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