Service layouts are designed in much the same way as process layout but the objectives may different for ex. Instead of minimizing the flow of materials through the system, service may seek to minimize the flow of pair, work or to maximize customer exposure to as many goods as possible. The objective of Retail Service layout is to maximize net profit per square feet of store space.
All Apple stores features a genius bar, where customers can receive technical advice or set up service and repairs for their products. The term ambient conditions refers to background characteristics such as the noise level, music, lightening, temperature, and scent that can affect employee performance and morale as well as customers’ perceptions of the service, how long they stay, and how much money they spend.
Two aspects of the spatial layout and functionality are especially important: planning the circulation path of the customers and grouping the merchandise. The goal of circulation planning is to provide a path for the customers that exposes them to as much of the merchandise as possible while placing any needed services along this path in the sequence they will be needed.
There are various factors which are affecting retail service layout.
1. Allocation of space
2. Location of Special displays
3. Efficiency of checkout procedures
1) Allocation of Space
Space allocation is determined by evaluating the sales per square feet of a product or product line versus the willingness of a vendor to pay for product placement.
2) Location of Special displays
Industry specific recommendations are available for layout and display decisions. Computerized versions, such as SLIM (Store Labor and Inventory management) and Cosmos (computerized, optimization and simulation models for operating supermarket), consider shelf space, demand rates, profitability and stock out probabilities in layout design.
3) The efficiency of checkout Procedure
Service may have both a back office (Invisible to the customer) and front office Component. Back offices can be organized for efficiency and functionality. While front office layouts must be aesthetically pleasing as well as functional layout. For that reason, service- layouts are often considered part of the service design process.
