10 Changes We’ll See to Physical Retail Spaces in a Post-COVID World: Forbes

Retail is changing for good. Watch out for what's to come so that you can adapt and thrive.

Like most everything in today’s world, shopping has completely changed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Stepping into a store is drastically different now than it was 6 months ago. And with the impact of the pandemic expected to last for years, retailers and shoppers will be adjusting to changes long after COVID-19 has been contained.

Aside from the actual shopping experience, physical retail stores of the future will be altered by the pandemic. Here are 10 changes we’ll see to existing and new retail spaces in a post-COVID-19 world.

Calming colors.

After months of being at home, consumers are understandably anxious to return to physical stores. In the future, more brands will adopt soft lighting and shades of blues and greens in their signage and décor to create a more calming atmosphere. Customers might not even realize the changes but will hopefully feel less anxious when they step in the store.
Physical barriers

Stores are focused on protecting not only their customers, but also their employees. Many stores have already implemented plexiglass dividers between cashiers and customers, and that will likely continue in the future. Stores will find creative ways to build physical barriers between people without hurting the personal contact and service that happens in stores.
Showrooms

Many retailers were already shifting to more experiential showrooms instead of traditional stores, and the pandemic has only magnified the need to change. Retailers will follow the lead of Ikea with separate showrooms that allow customers to see the products in a space before picking out exactly what they need or ordering it online. Showrooms bridge the gap between physical and e-commerce shopping.