In a world where online shopping has become commonplace, brick-and-mortar stores need to do more to entice customers through their doors. One unique option is shade structures. Retail shade structures come in many shapes and sizes, some of which offer waterproof properties, providing various benefits for your space — all of which improve the customer experience.
Whether you’re interested in shade structures to create shaded walkways outside of your store or want to create shaded seating areas nearby, these structures can be just what you need to ensure your space stands out from the crowd.
The Benefits of Retail Shade Structures
Shade structures offer functional and aesthetic value to retail centers and shopping malls, offering these key benefits:
1. Enhance Customer Comfort
Retail stores that use air conditioners on their premises create a cooler and more comfortable environment for shoppers and workers. However, capitalizing on these benefits results in higher energy bills. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, commercial buildings — such as retail stores, malls and travel agencies — use approximately 170 billion kilowatts of energy for cooling across the country. That equates to 14% of the total energy consumption for the commercial sector.
Shade solutions help retail stores create cooler environments without excessive energy consumption. By positioning shade structures near windows, retail outlets can block out excessive sunlight that heats interiors. The result is a more comfortable environment that increases worker productivity and creates a better customer experience.
From the moment a potential customer steps through your door, they begin forming an opinion about your business. A more regulated temperature within your store helps them get a positive perspective from the get-go. As 96% of customers are likely to remain loyal to businesses that offer superior experiences, taking care of small details — like comfortable interior temperatures — helps set the stage for long-term customer relationships.
2. Elevate Brand Visibility
Fabric shade structures come in a range of colors, enabling shopping malls to reinforce their brand colors. As colors significantly impact emotions and consumer behavior, customizing your shade solutions with your brand’s colors helps to encourage more sales. For example, color theory suggests that red hues ignite feelings of hunger while blues encourage peace and security.
USA SHADE offers a selection of high-quality fabrics, each available in shades of cheerful yellow, serene blue, practical terracotta and more. You also have the option to incorporate your logo or tagline on your structure to accentuate your brand.
3. Improve Seasonal Flexibility and Adaptability
While shade structures offer obvious value during the warmer months, they provide other benefits during the rest of the year. For example, waterproof structures protect building exteriors and pathways from heavy rainfalls and snow. Additionally, most waterproof fabrics have some level of fire resistance, making them safer building materials.
When working with a reputable shade solution team, businesses can express their specific needs and customize their structures accordingly, making them a highly flexible and adaptable business feature.
4. Protect Interiors
Retail stores offer a wide array of products. They may also incorporate features that enhance the customer experience, such as sofas, footstools and draping. However, as UV rays have a damaging effect on furniture and materials, it’s advisable to limit exposure so you can protect items kept close to windows and doors.
By using shade structures to prevent excess sunlight from filtering in, businesses can further protect their stock and optimize the longevity of their infrastructure.
How Can Waterproof Shade Solutions Benefit Retail Settings?
While all fabric structures help to minimize the impact of the weather, only some options are waterproof. At USA SHADE, we use Novashield®, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), each with their own advantages. Here’s an overview of their common benefits:
- Novashield®: This waterproof fabric is renowned for its energy efficiency. It reduces heat transfer, which in turn limits the need for air conditioning. In addition, it offers an aesthetic finish to any structure and is a cost-effective option for businesses with a limited budget.
- PVC: With an inherent waterproof barrier, PVC offers effective protection against the most severe elements. Additionally, this material offers complete color customization, allowing you to tailor the patterns, textures and branding to your needs.
- PTFE: Aside from standing up to wet conditions, PTFE provides high-temperature tolerance and superior UV resistance. This makes the fabric ideal for hot regions.
Where to Install Retail Shade Structures
From covered seating areas to outdoor walkways, many retail environments can benefit from a shade solution. Discover the best structures for these different settings:
- Outdoor mall seating areas or food courts: Haven solar canopies are an ideal structure for these areas as they offer seating, a table and shade. These structures incorporate solar technology, making them even more beneficial for shopping centers looking to reduce energy costs.
- Pathways: Some shopping centers are more spread out, featuring outdoor pathways that take consumers from shop to shop. Cantilever structures provide an effective way to shade these walkways, resulting in greater comfort.
- Stand-alone stores: Retail stores of all shapes and sizes can benefit from effective shade solutions. While specialty structures are great for novelty stores, Sails are a great option for more modern setups.
Choosing the Right Shade Structure for Your Retail Complex
You want to be confident in your shade structure selection. Here are some considerations to keep in mind during the decision process:
- Identify your project purpose: Whether your main objective is to modernize your shopping mall or protect infrastructure from the elements, defining your goal is the first step to selecting shade structures.
- Consider your climate: Understanding your area’s environmental conditions will assist your business in choosing the best fabric for your needs.
- Analyze your space: Some spaces may have standard measurements, making them compatible with existing products. However, more uniquely shaped areas may require customized designs.
Partner With USA SHADE for Your Retail Shade Needs
Ensure your store stands out from the rest by selecting and installing a quality shade solution. Shade structures help protect your stock and present a canvas for your logo, all while helping create a better customer experience by reducing sun and rain exposure and regulating temperatures.
Over the past three decades, USA SHADE has crafted superior shade structures to enhance businesses in all industries, including the commercial sector. Our commitment to excellence ensures the best solution for your needs, ultimately leading to a positive return on investment.
Explore our range of shade structures today, or contact our team to build your own. From customizing your color to specifying your fabric properties, we’re happy to assist you at each step along the way!
