As many as 18% of shoppers in the US are over the age of 65. This means that, for your shop to appeal to them, you will need more than impeccable customer service and clean floors. In order for the older customer to get in and out of your shop with ease (and to make your store more appealing in the first place), there may need to be some adjustments.
This can seem like an enormous job but there are many advatages of making your shopfront accessible, which are highlighted below.
Improved Safety
A core issue that many people with limited mobility have when out and about is safety on stairs and in areas with wet or slippery floors, with many older people succumbing to accidents in public bathrooms or on stairs in malls.
By ensuring that your shop is adapted to meet the needs of this age group, you are improving their safety and reducing the chances of them falling or becoming injured on your shop floor. The adaptation could be as simple as a installing a movable ramp into the store entrance, or if you are located on an upper or lower floor commercial stair lifts are a consideration.
Promotes Independence
Many people know how reluctant an older person can be when it comes to asking for help. By having your store upgraded with grab rails, you can ensure that your older customers are able to retain their independence, which will help them to live their life as they want to. It also means you don’t have to worry about them when they go into the bathroom, for example, allowing you to focus on your business.
Increase in Shop Value
Shops with accessible options are more expensive to buy so keeping those fixtures that were installed can increase the value of your shop or business. Why? Your store will appeal to a wider range of buyers and will require minimal (if any) upgrades, making it more appealing for buyers who may be looking at a similar or more specialized niche group in the community as the target audience for their business.
Increased Customer Loyalty
When shopping, older people or those who may have limited mobility can find it hard to get in and out of shops as they want to. By ensuring that your place of business is adjusted to meet as many of their needs as possible, you are enhancing customer loyalty. Research has found that customers are more likely to return to stores or other place of business if they feel safe and feel that their needs are heard. So, that simple ramp, or elevator, or even the wider aisles in your shops can go a long way to creating a loyal customer base.
Remember, if you are undertaking extensive shop renovations, such as putting ramps in or having doors widened, you will need to ensure that this is done by a professional. This will ensure that the job is done correctly and will also usually come with a warranty, helping to ensure quality control of any shop alterations.
