Living Walls in Retail Spaces: Enhancing Customer Experience and Sales

Including greenery into retail spaces can help create a relaxing environment for customers. Green walls can encourage them to take their time and shop around.

We will explore the ways in which living walls can enhance the customer experience. And ultimately sales in retail spaces.

The aesthetic appeal of living walls

In an increasingly urbanised world with concrete buildings, green walls can create a natural break. As humans we have an intrinsic connection to nature. Adding biophilic design to a retail environment can enhance this connection to nature.

Living walls can help transform these areas into attractive places that people will want to spend time in. They can be an important part of the landscape and placemaking strategy. Hiding otherwise ‘ugly’ features, such as bin stores, with living walls can improve the overall aesthetic of the area.

Improving air quality and acoustics

Air quality

Urban areas in particular are notorious for high levels of air pollution. This can be from car emissions, industrial activities or construction.

This pollution contributes to a range of health issues including respiratory diseases and cardiovascular problems.

Adding a green wall to areas like retail spaces can help purify the air. These spaces, where people spend a lot of time, will benefit from the enhanced environment.

Plants have the natural ability to absorb pollutants like carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide. Green walls can significantly reduce these harmful substances and improve air quality.

Acoustics

Retail spaces can often be noisy spaces. Whether it is from the amount of people wandering around chatting or from nearby traffic.

Living walls can act as a natural sound barrier. They can absorb and deflect noise pollution from these sources. Creating a more peaceful environment for people to shop. Improving their experience and likelihood to return.

Biophilic design and customer behaviour

Green walls have been linked to reduced stress levels, improved mood and enhanced cognitive function. Enhancing the customer’s experience whilst in a retail space.

When customers feel comfortable and connected to their surroundings, they are more likely to make confident purchasing decisions. Being in a space with natural elements has psychological benefits. Encouraging customers to spend more time, explore more products, and make thoughtful choices.

Research shows that a positive mood and being in a pleasant environment can lead to faster decisions when shopping. By adding a living wall, you can use the power of mood to your advantage.

Customers tend to return to brands and spaces where they have had a positive experience. The beauty and tranquillity provided by living walls contributes to a memorable shopping experience. Ensuring customers return for both the products and the enjoyable atmosphere.

The role of living walls in brand identity

Living walls offer a visually striking feature that elevates brand identity. Whether used inside or out, they can communicate green credentials to the brand.

Using a green wall can also create an immersive shopping experience for the customer. It creates a memorable and impactful visual element for your brand.

A green wall will capture the attention of the customer. It can provide a backdrop for photos and videos to be shared on social media platforms. Contributing to spreading brand awareness and encouraging others to visit the retail space.

Adaptability and versatility in retail design

Living walls can be incorporated into various parts of the store.

• Entrances
• Central aisles
• Checkout areas

In larger spaces, green walls can break up vast areas by creating more intimate zones for customers to explore.

The adaptability and natural beauty of these walls make them perfect for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Giving brands freedom to include greenery wherever they think is best.

Economic benefits

Green walls can also have substantial economic advantages for retailers.

• Increased foot traffic and sales

Retail spaces that have a living wall experience an increase in foot traffic. Green environments draw in customers, encouraging longer dwell times and leading to higher sales. Studies show that turnover can increase by 12% in stores with greenery as customers feel more relaxed and are more likely to impulse buy.

• Enhanced customer willingness to pay

Biophilic design influences consumer behaviour significantly. Customers are willing to pay up to 20% more for products in stores with nature inspired designs.

Successful implementation of living walls

Kildare Village

Kildare Village offers a prime example of a successful living wall implementation. Kildare Village is a luxury shopping destination in Ireland.

The living wall ware carefully integrated into the exterior of the shopping village. Transforming an otherwise plain façade into a vibrant, natural feature.

The addition of the living wall created an immersive and welcoming environment to the retail space. Reflecting the brand’s commitment to luxury, quality and sustainability.

The lasting impact of living walls on retail spaces

Adding living walls to retail spaces is an investment in both the customer experience and the brand’s future.

By blending nature with modern retail design, retailers can enhance the overall ambiance of their spaces. Improve air quality and provide a sense of tranquillity for shoppers.

This ultimately leads to a better customer experience, increased sales, and stronger brand loyalty. Living walls are a powerful tool for retailers looking to stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Book a consultation with Viritopia

Contact us today to learn more about how a living wall can transform your office and improve employee well-being. Book a living wall consultation with our expert team today to discover how we can help you.