Efficient Convenience Store Checkout Counter Designs

Many people assume that the checkout counter primarily serves customers, but this often overlooks the importance of providing convenience to cashiers or store owners. After all, this is where they work for eight hours or more, especially in convenience stores.

Convenience store checkout counters are typically located near the store entrance, where the aisle is spacious and visibility is excellent. This serves as a visual reminder of the entrance area and allows customers to easily see the checkout counter's location and make their purchases more convenient. Some stores even place the checkout counter further back in the store. The specific design depends on the store layout and business needs, and there are certain guidelines, but they aren't set in stone.

Checkout Counter

02 Products and Services in the Checkout Counter Area

Items Available for Display

New convenience store checkout counters no longer solely function as cash registers; they incorporate modular design for flexible design and maximize space, featuring shelves at the front and hidden areas like trash cans, drawers, and outlets. High-margin family planning products, candies, tissues, and small toys can be placed on the shelves in front of the checkout counter. These optional, non-essential items are often prone to impulse buying.

The countertop, front, back, and surrounding areas of the convenience store checkout counter can all be designed to maximize product display opportunities while customers wait in line, encouraging them to make purchases.

The countertop can be equipped with sausage grills, oden, microwave coffee machines, and other items, using the aroma of prepared foods to stimulate purchases.

The front: Display or hang items with low margins and high turnover, such as tissues and chewing gum.

The back: Display high-priced or fragile items, such as cigarettes, alcohol, and gift boxes.

Surroundings: Display various small promotional displays and displays.

The convenience store checkout counter is where customers gather, making it an excellent platform for promotional advertising. Install LED billboards in the checkout area to list prices for prepared food products; or place the latest promotional flyers on the counter to pique customers' curiosity. You can also display promotional racks around the counter to encourage purchases.

03 How to Display Tobacco and Alcohol Counters Behind the Checkout Counter

Tobacco and Alcohol Counters

In smaller convenience stores, placing tobacco and alcohol counters behind the checkout counter is a wise move. On the one hand, as high-end consumer goods, placing alcohol and tobacco counters at the checkout counter, where staff gather, serves as a theft deterrent. On the other hand, glass packaging for alcoholic beverages can easily fall and cause unnecessary disputes. Placing them behind the checkout counter, where customers won't pass by, and having staff personally explain and recommend products, prevents accidents and improves service quality.

04 Things to Consider When Arranging a Cashier Counter

1. Avoid facing a mirror.

2. Avoid placing the cashier counter too high.

3. Avoid leaving space behind the cashier counter.

4. Keep the cashier counter quiet and avoid excessive movement.

If the cashier counter is too close to the main door, it will be directly affected by the drafts from outside. Without a sufficient inner Mingtang (Mingtang) to act as a buffer, this will be detrimental to the accumulation of wealth. During the store planning and design phase, if there is not enough inner Mingtang (Mingtang) in front of the cashier counter to act as a buffer, it is best to place the cashier counter on either side of the main door to avoid direct drafts.

This layout will not hinder customer flow; it will also be quieter, shielded from direct drafts, and allow for a comprehensive overview. Putting customers first in store operations implies business etiquette, and also places the customer in the central position according to feng shui, ensuring that guests are seated where they belong, creating a welcoming atmosphere.

A sufficient area in front of the cashier counter serves as a Mingtang (Mingtang). This Mingtang represents wealth and the future. A spacious Mingtang (Mingtang) can store energy, thus promoting good business prospects and accumulating wealth. If a store has a bright hall outside but the interior is narrow, it won't be conducive to drawing in and gathering qi. If air rushes in directly, it won't be conducive to accumulating wealth.

Of course, the cashier counter and the overall store layout are integrated. They shouldn't be separated from the store's layout, product categories, and circulation; otherwise, people won't feel comfortable. Good design also makes a good convenience store!