A lot of retail stores have taken a hit lately with low sales, higher costs of doing business, shoplifting, and government regulations. Sometimes it takes more to retain and attract new customers than increasing the advertising and promotion budget.
Many independent retailers and restaurants have discovered that constructing a log building or adding a log storefront attracts customers. This type of atmosphere creates an air of a simpler life and way of doing business.
The easiest way of creating this homey shopping experience is by adding pine or cedar log siding to a store’s front. Log siding can be used on the full exteriors and interiors of showrooms when building a new store. This novel way of increasing sales revenue and profits may also work for your business.
The Psychology of Log Homes and Log Businesses
Log homes and businesses invite people into a comfortable and calm environment. Perhaps there is psychology created by our ancestors living in more natural settings for hundreds of years. Studies reveal the advantages of living in or working in log homes include:
- The acoustics are pleasing to our ears
- We find the smell is pleasant
- The atmosphere is less stressful
- A calm setting promotes healthier living
- They represent hard work and patriotism
- Log structures seem safer inside
A retail store can have these same advantages over the competition. We may even say employers and sales associates will feel the difference and greet customers in happier ways. Although everyone who enters a shop or restaurant may not feel this way, most of them will be pleased. Wood has its own attractions.
We Like Shopping in Familiar and Friendly Places
According to Chain Store Age, nearly half of consumers still prefer to shop in-person. For retailers or restaurants that sell little or no products online, this is a life-saver for these reasons:
- Customers simply enjoy the experience
- They want to interact with products before buying
- These customers do not want to pay shipping fees
- People may be able to ‘bargain’ with store managers
- 84% said they would likely return to the same store
- Personal interactive customer service
- Immediate possession of products
These reasons for shopping in person are age-old, and many are not apt to change in the near future. But wait – there are other customer preferences. Most say they prefer shopping with someone they know and trust. Forty-two percent say in-store customer service has improved.
So what does this have to do with stores and restaurants built with log siding? It has everything to do with a shopping experience. The psychology of in-store browsing, shopping, buying, returning, and telling their friends increases a store’s chance of success. Retailers are not dying, they are merely evolving to meet customers’ needs and wants.
Many independent retailers and restaurants have discovered that constructing a log building or adding a log storefront attracts customers.
Log Homes and Businesses Are Growing By Leaps and Bounds
Log homes have grown by 15% over the last ten years! The percentage of retailers building log stores is also increasing. The trend is not slowing and pine tree farms are planting more trees than ever to meet the timber demand.
Americans have accepted log homes and log cabins as a part of our culture. It is only natural for us to shop in log-built stores and restaurants. Numerous successful chain restaurants have built a homey and country atmosphere for their customers in them. Sporting goods and other outdoor product dealers are doing the same, and the list goes on.
Do Log Siding Stores Cost As Much As Full Log Stores?
Construction companies report that full log homes typically cost 20% to 30% more than conventional homes. Conventional homes are generally built with brick or some type of siding on the outside and drywall on the inside. Log siding homes cost about the same as brick homes.
The good news is that log siding or full log homes are generally worth 30% to 40% more than traditional homes when it comes time to sell. Log homes can also sell faster depending on location. All things being equal, these figures should translate to stores and restaurants built with log siding.
Find What You Need from a Trusted Supplier
Now that you know more about how retail businesses built with log siding can affect customer spending, growth, and retention, consider the possibilities. Any existing building or home can be a log structure by replacing the old siding with real wood log siding.
The WoodWorkers Shoppe is America’s premier supplier of log siding, corner systems, trim, pine paneling, flooring, interior trim, and more. Each product is the highest quality you will find.
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